Yorkshire golf: Roger jolly he has drawn level with wife Margaret

GOLFERS who shoot a score lower than their age are a pretty special and rare bunch.
Roger and Margaret Calvert, the only husband and wife to win the Lawrence Batley Over 80s title (Picture: Simon Hulme).Roger and Margaret Calvert, the only husband and wife to win the Lawrence Batley Over 80s title (Picture: Simon Hulme).
Roger and Margaret Calvert, the only husband and wife to win the Lawrence Batley Over 80s title (Picture: Simon Hulme).

Among the most famous members of this club is the legendary Sam Snead, winner of seven major titles, who shot a 66 in the Quad Cities Open in 1979 when he was 67 years old.

Moortown GC’s Roger Calvert has now gained membership alongside Slammin’ Sam by carding a gross 86 – at the age of 92.

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Roger’s remarkable round came on his home course in the Lawrence Batley Over 80s event and – not surprisingly – led to him emerging victorious as the overall winner.

Roger Calvert and the other prize winners in the Lawrence Batley Over 80s event at Moortown GC.Roger Calvert and the other prize winners in the Lawrence Batley Over 80s event at Moortown GC.
Roger Calvert and the other prize winners in the Lawrence Batley Over 80s event at Moortown GC.

The retired chartered accountant admits that he went into the competition feeling confident, but with his sights set on emulating his feat of last year when he won the prize awarded to the player with the best Over 90s score.

Eighteen holes later he had amassed 42 Stableford points to win the competition with ease and follow in the wake of his wife Margaret, who lifted the trophy back in 2008.

Had Margaret teased him in the intervening years about her success? “Oh yes, but that’s finished now,” he laughed.

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Roger and Margaret are the first husband and wife to achieve the feat since the competition’s inception in 1992.

He and his wife have a total of 129 years membership at Moortown between them, Margaret the senior of the two with 74 years compared to Roger’s ‘modest’ 55.

Twenty-one-handicapper Roger, who tries to play every Wednesday and Saturday, could not pinpoint the exact reason for his stunning round in the Lawrence Batley competition and suggested he had been fortunate on some holes.

“Like the third,” he said. “I hit three rotten shots and was in the bunker and then I holed the bunker shot. So instead of struggling to score one point I scored three.”

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Any golfer will know that it takes a great deal more than luck to shoot a net 65 whatever your handicap and it is no surprise to learn that in his hey-day Roger – who served with the RAF during the Second World War – got as low as four.

“I have shot around my age before, but never like this,” he continued.

Mind, my next round was very much a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show.”

Roger says he still loves a game which he has played since the age of about eight – but has he ever thought about quitting?

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“I give it up nearly every week,” he smiled. “Well, almost. It can be an irritating game, but I love it.”

As well as golf, he used to play cricket, football, rugby and tennis, but after the war confined himself to just tennis and golf.

Given that he has been a low single-figure golfer, it was safe to assume his name is on the honours board in the Moortown clubhouse.

“Yes, once or twice, but I can’t remember what for now, it was all so long ago,” he said.

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He still remains competitive and as well as playing in club events he is looking forward to what he describes as “a few days out with the ‘boys’ – a few senior competitions.”

Woodsome Hall’s Ray McGill placed second to Roger, a full six points in arrears.

Ganton’s Rachel Coxon won the ladies’ prize with 35 points and Sheila Haffey won the prize for best Overs 90s score – excluding Roger’s tally.

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