How many rounds of golf have you played in your lifetime? That’s something that many golfers can keep track of on Golfshake, either via the website or new app, but it’ll be hard to imagine that most of us will have beaten the achievements of these four men.
A group of lifetime golf enthusiasts from Oxford with a combined 237 years’ membership at Oxford Golf Club have played more than 80,000 rounds between them at the Cowley 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.
Between them, they’ve achieved 19 holes in one, won several high-profile competitions and played in the company of golfing legend Peter Dawson and The Duke of Marlborough.
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. That’s 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 positioned 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 West Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium.
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.”
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 Golf Club 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. It’s a real challenge, with a good variety of interesting and demanding holes. Henry Longhurst (BBC golf commentator) even described the 12th hole as one of the best in Britain.”
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!”
Oxford Golf Club was the original club of Oxford University and to this day features an 18-hole course designed by legendary golf architect Harry Colt.
Further information about the club is available via https://www.oxfordgolfclub.co.uk/.
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