Retired Caldicott hopes to fly high at Ashridge

22/06/2016

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Alan Caldicott aims to show age is no barrier to winning at golf when he takes part in the Lombard Trophy regional final at Ashridge Golf Club.

The 73-year-old retired aircraft engineer will play alongside Princes Risbrough PGA Professional Bruce Loome, above, at the event which is being played at the Hertfordshire venue on June 27.

They will be hoping to secure a place in the £41,500 grand final. The Lombard sponsored tournament, supported by Coca Cola is being held at the beautiful Pestana Golf Resort in Vila Sol from September 22-23.

But Caldicott, who plays off a handicap of 20, has only been playing the game regularly for the last five years.

He says retirement has improved his game, and winning his club qualifier will now see him rubbing shoulder with the pros.

“That’s the great thing about this event, it means someone like myself can play in the Lombard Trophy,” he said.

“I know my limitations of course, I doubt I’ll ever get my handicap down to less than 17 or 18. But I’d be happy with that.

“I intend to get some lessons from Bruce and see if I can improve even more.”

Caldicott, who used to work at Luton Airport, admits he could never quite find the time to hone his game until now.

“When I worked I really only had Saturdays free and of course there are a lot of people out on the course and I didn’t want to hold anyone up,” he said.

“I’ve actually owned a set of clubs for about 20 years - I’m not using the same ones now, I have upgraded!

“I imagine I am one of the older players taking part. But it’s only when you have the time to get out there and play do you realise what’s possible so I’m really looking forward to playing.”

Loome, 50, is starting a new initiative at Princes Risborough aiming at getting the most of the space offered by the club.

“I’m working on something called the Nine Smart Shots, which concentrates on nine of the most used shots in golf and working on them,” he explained.

“I hope to use nine holes and focus on those particular aspects of the game. Hopefully we can get that up and running by the end of the year.”

Also taking part in the event at Ashridge are host team Peter Cherry and Mark Gaunt; Andrea Timms and Kevin Coates; Matthew Cousens and David Zost (Bushey Golf & Country Club); Daniel Field and Brian Gildersleve (East Herts Golf Club); David Wilton and Sasha Ryazantsev (Muswell Hill Golf Club); Simon Harrison and Fraser Allen (Gog Magog Golf Club); and Matthew Bannister and Robert Morris (Stevenage Golf Club).

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