A group of lifelong golfers with a combined 237 years’ membership at Oxford Golf Club have played more than 80,000 rounds between them at the Cowley-based course.
John White, Ron Creese, Chris Digweed and Dave Jones first met in 1972 and are among the longest-serving members at Oxford Golf Club, which was founded in 1873 and was the original club of Oxford University.
They estimate to have played 80,580 rounds at the club during their 237 years of membership, equating to 288,553 miles of ground covered – equivalent to travelling the earth’s circumference twice and then journeying to the moon.
John White, 81, was the first of the group to become a member in 1957 when aged just 13 – paying one guinea per year. He grew up in Lye Valley and secured his first job as a trainee instrument maker at what is now Churchill Hospital located yards from the 17th green. Between 2022 and 2024, he was also Club President.
“I grew up right next to the 13th fairway,” said John. “So, I’d leave home in the morning when working my first job and play holes 13 to 17, park my clubs at work and play 18 onwards coming home. So much has changed in that time. The landscape, the clubhouse, the sport itself – it’s remarkable to think I’ve been a member here for almost 70 years.”
Aged 90, Ron is the oldest member of the group and joined the club in the same year England famously won the FIFA World Cup when defeating Germany 4-2 at Wembley. He was Club Captain in 1982, Club President between 2010 and 2012, and retired from the motor industry four years later.
He said golf has provided him with a purpose to remain active and social and described winning the Southfield Cup in 1986 as one of his most memorable moments.
“I played cricket and football growing up,” said Ron. “I had to have a new knee fitted in 2003 so like most people my age, my mobility is somewhat restricted. Golf gets me out of the house, it helps me socialise with others and we all have a great laugh playing.”
Aces High: Ron Crease and his golfing pals have amassed 19 holes in one during their combined 237 years of membership at Oxford Golf Club
Dave is another former Club Captain and Club President, having held the roles in 1996 and between 2016 and 2018 respectively. The 77-year-old has played at more than 1,200 courses in the UK but described the playing conditions at Oxford as among the best.
“Without doubt, the quality of the course is the biggest change over the years,” said Dave. “In the summer of ’76, you wouldn’t find a single blade of grass on the course. But even this summer with the unusually dry weather, the course is in fantastic condition. We’re fortunate to have a great grounds team, who are out on the course whatever the weather. It’s part of the reason why I’m still playing here more than 50 years after joining.
“I still believe it’s one of the best parkland courses around. It’s a real challenge, with a good variety of interesting and demanding holes. BBC golf commentator Henry Longhurst once described the par-3 12th as one of the best in Britain.”
Oxford GC’s par-3 12th hole
With more than 86,000 days’ experience at the club between them, Chris said the best advice he has received in 57 years of playing came from his first coach at the club.
“He said I would be okay as long as I hit my bad shots straight,” said Chris. “That was great advice, and has stuck with me!”
