93-year-old golfer makes hole-in-one

By Isobel Williams

A great-grandfather could be the oldest golfer in Britain to get a hole-in-one after achieving the feat in a recent round aged - 93.

Jack Ponsford notched up an ace on the 135-yard third hole at Pannal Golf Club in Harrogate, North Yorks., last month.

It was the now 94-year-old's first ever hole-in-one - and it could make him a record-breaker.

It is thought Derek Jackson previously held the title for Britain's oldest golfer to get an ace, which he achieved aged 92.

Ponsford watched his ball roll in for a one alongside regular playing partner George Bruce, 97.

Pannal Golf Club now has a plaque on the bar announcing the achievement.

Jack said, “I hit the ball and it landed on the green and George said, ‘I think that’s gone in the hole’ and I didn’t believe him.

"We walked down and there it was, down the hole.

“It was the first hole-in-one I have ever had, so it was very good. I couldn’t believe it. I was really excited.

“I have got quite a lot of family who all play golf and none of them have ever had a hole-in-one either. So I am quite chuffed with that.

“I was definitely the oldest to ever get a hole in one at that golf course, and the pair of us might be the oldest duo in the country to get one. It could be a record.”

Jack has been playing golf his whole life and started at Pannal Golf Club when he moved to the area in 1985.

Now, the grandad says he plays twice a week to keep active, and that he always walks instead of using a buggy to keep fit.

Jack was formerly a sales worker at Unilever before partially retiring at 58, though he worked part-time until he was 68 years old.

He lived with his wife Vera, with whom he had three sons, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, until she passed away in 2018.

The pensioner says that all of his family loves golf, and he is hoping to get many more hole-in-ones in the future.

He added, “My wife and I used to play golf together before she died. I have never been a great golfer, but I enjoy it anyway.

“To get a hole-in-one was a lifetime achievement. A lot of people never get one.

“All my friends and family were excited. It really was amazing.”

Pannal Golf Club said on Facebook: "A huge congratulations to Jack Ponsford, aged 93 for getting his first ever hole in 1 on the 3rd hole!

"Even more remarkable was that it was witnessed by his playing partner and friend, George Bruce, aged 97!

"Could this be a world record for the oldest pairing involved in a hole-in-one?!

"Fantastic achievement and another reason we love golf!"