The unique handicap system applied in amateur golf based on proven ability levels ensures the sport can be played both socially and competitively by the young and the not-so-young as long-retired Leighton golfer Keith Camp has just proved.
For at the ripe age of 78, Keith has just won the trophy coveted by former Captains of the Plantation Road club for the second time.
Keith was one of 19 former Club Captains taking part in annual trophy competition, winning with a 41 point haul, a score five shots better than his handicap of 20.
Captain of the Leighton club in 1980, Keith, a member for 42 years, beat 1987 Captain Steve De Nisi by two points, with current President David Hawkins, who was Captain two years ago, taking third spot on countback.
Keith, dubbed ‘Captain Marvel’ by his friends, is a regular in the club Senior team which this year has won 15 of its 17 matches, with one loss and a draw.
Last week, he teamed up with Peter Jones to help Leighton to a five-match win over Bedfordshire just days after he partnered mathematician Morley Smith to success in a 6-2 win over Dunstable Downs.
Janet Masters and Jane Tizzard teamed up with Mike Turnock and David Debell to win the seniors/ladies McKinnon Texas scramble with a nett 55.2.
Runners-up were John Bateman, David Newby, Val Smith and Norma Venner with a nett 57, with Rosie Hartnell, Jackie Stimpson, Harry Adam and Fred Ritchie third with 57.4.
David Sweetnam teamed up with daughter Lizi to win Leighton’s Mixed Foursomes with 37 points, a shot clear of John and Christine Bateman.
After suffering their first defeat in 13 games, Leighton Seniors returned to winning ways with back to back victories over Mentmore and Redbourn.
In a 5-1 win over Mentmore, Harry Adam and David Hack, George Bashford and Alan Potter, Mike Turner and Danny Nairne, John Halstead and Terry Wright and Roy Johnson and Mike Smith returned winning cards, with Morley Smith and Keith Camp and David Newby and Terry Lingham halving their games.
The 4-3 win over Redbourn saw David Hack and Martin Broadley, Mike Turnock and Keith Oddie, Andy McDonald and Derek Browning and Fred Ritchie and Peter Raza return winning cards, with Alan Potter and Bill Blackhall halving their match.
Leighton Seniors beat the Club Juniors by 4-2 to retain the Kingston Shield for the third year.
Keith Camp and David Debell, John Halstead and Ron Dickinson and Terry Wright and John Bateman won their pairs matches and Mike Turnock a singles match for the seniors, while Captain Richard Hill and Louise Eddy and Joe Brinded and Callum Campbell won for the juniors.
Weekend golfer Emma Faulkner is the new holder of Leighton Ladies Olive Wood trophy.
She won the event with 38 points, a shot clear of Angela Blackhall who pipped Barbara Rickard on countback.