When I was appointed senior captain at Dunston Hall Golf Club in January it was the honour of my life. Unlike many clubs, this is not a ceremonial post.
We have an active seniors section of around 115 golfers and every Tuesday at least 60 of us turn up to play in various competitions - medals, stablefords, Texas scrambles, yellow ball fourballs. It is a wonderful section and I am lucky enough to have made some amazing friends at what I regard as the best club I have ever been lucky enough to be associated with.
As captain I was determined to make my mark and make some changes. To that end I introduced a mixed pairs knockout competition, a mixed match with our ladies section, a mixed inter-club match and a Captain’s Day that everybody would remember. Mission accomplished on all fronts.
We have an active programme of friendly matches against other clubs in the region and another target was to involve golfers who had never before played in these matches, and I have also achieved that.
My big event is my Captain’s Charity Day on September 8. I have played an active part in fund-raising for the previous two captains and, as a result, we have raised a total of £15,000. I was determined that this year’s event would be even bigger and better and have managed to get some blue-chip sponsors on board. We have some fabulous auction prizes lined up, including a Porsche 911 for a weekend, a holiday in Scotland, a full custom-fitting session with Precision Golf, two Motocaddy golf bags - the list goes on.
It is in aid of the East Anglian Children’s Hospices (EACH), a charity that cares for terminally ill children and supports their families. It receives little or no financial support from either the Government or the NHS and this year alone needs to raise a staggering £17m from fund-raising and from its network of charity shops. It is a huge task. The charity holds a special place in my heart because my son, Kevin, is the CEO.
So everything was going swimmingly. But then, one Saturday I experienced excruciating stomach pain. It lasted for two days and then disappeared but I was sufficiently concerned that I made an appointment to see my doctor. I was given a blood test and a few days later I was asked to return to the surgery and was informed that the test had flagged up some worrying markers. Before I knew it, I was attending Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for a CT scan.
The result was that they discovered my right kidney had a 7cm mass attached. I was called back for an appointment with a consultant who confirmed that it was almost certainly cancerous and I would need to have my right kidney removed. To say that this came as a body blow is the understatement of all time. I had been aware for some time of a dull pain in my lower back but had dismissed it.
Within two weeks I was under the knife and have now had my kidney removed. I have never experienced pain like it. Needless to say, I can’t drive for a few weeks and I can’t play golf.
As I said, the Senior Captain’s job is not ceremonial so I had some tough decisions to make. And I reached the conclusion that, for the time being at least, I cannot give it the time it deserves so I have stepped down and my vice-captain has taken over the reins. I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support I have received from the membership.
I will not know until August 17 if the surgeons have managed to get all the cancer. I am feeling better by the day but know that I have to be sensible. I am now up and about and walking regularly. I was able to put my feet up and watch every shot played at the recent Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. I have lost 16lb but now have my appetite back and am stuffing my face. I have even managed a trip to the pub.
I spent three years where I was unable to play golf because of shoulder pain. I was told that I would require surgery on both shoulders but when I retired the pain disappeared within four weeks - it turned out that spending 10 hours a day in front of a computer screen was the cause. I then returned to the game and have had a ball over the past three years. I am missing golf terribly and cannot wait to be fit enough to get back out there.
The NHS have been wonderful - as has my wife, who has been an incredible nurse.
No matter what I am told on August 17, I will be taking part in my Charity Day and will then have some decisions to make as to whether I resume my duties as Senior Captain.
I count my blessings that I was sensible enough to go to the doctor and am feeling pretty optimistic about the future.
I have written this not because I am looking for sympathy but to highlight the fact that you just never know what is around the corner and because I am certain many of you will be able to relate to what I am going through. And I feel so fortunate to have a wonderful golf community to support me.
I will let you know what happens on August 17.
