The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Plenty of big trophy wins from a lengthy career
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Martin Bains has won a few trophies in his 75 years as a club member at Milton.
Included in the photograph on the right are the President’s Cup (the big trophy in the middle), the Paten Cup, Craig Cup and the Captain’s Prize (the salver at the bottom).
Martin can’t recall for what he won the smaller trophies in the picture.
“I’ve won all the male trophies at Milton apart from the Victory Cup which is a pairs competition,” Martin said.
“One of the highlights was winning a trophy alongside my father Bert, but I don’t play competitive golf now. I’m strictly a social golfer these days.”
At his best Martin was an eight-handicap golfer (‘you can add 20 shots to that now’) , but in 75 years as a member he has yet to record a hole in one.
Martin’s wife Janet used to be a regular playing partner and his son Richard was an accomplished enough player to become an assistant professional at Delapre Golf Club in Northampton before he failed to match his father’s longevity by retiring from the sport.
Martin can remember paying 1.5 Guineas to joinMilton - the equivalent of £1.50 these days - a bit cheaper than today’s full adult membership rate of £1,070 per year.
Not for Martin though. “The club made me an honorary member a while ago,” he added.
“So I don’t have to pay, much to the annoyance of my regular playing partners!”
Milton club secretary Andy Izod is in awe of Martin’s oneclub career.
He said: “The club itself goes back to 1938 and the archives will not show length of a membership in those days, but I seriously doubt any other member has completed this length of term as a playing member while still actually playing golf.”
Milton Golf Club closed • for three months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is currently only open to members and their guests, although this situation is constantly under review.
Milton is part of the Fitzwilliam Esate.
The current par score at the tree-lined course is a testing 71.