A veteran has said he was “very surprised” after winning the title at his golf club aged 101.
Archie Hemsley beat around 30 of his peers to win the Eley Trophy in the over-80s competition at Luffenham Heath Golf Club in Rutland.
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Hemsley, who served in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, said he had won “very few” golf tournaments before.
“I’m not that keen on winning. Other people like that too,” he said.
Mr Hemsley returned to the sport after having his prostate removed two years ago.
He now plays football at the club several times a week with his daughter Claire.
He won the match, played over nine holes on the shortened course, after “putting really well.”
But for Mr. Hemsley, being in nature means more than competition.
“It’s great to see the birds and the bees and get some exercise,” he said.
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“I thought, if you don’t exercise, you’re going to die.”
Mr Hemsley served as a pilot with the Fleet Air Arm, the branch of the Royal Navy that operates aircraft aboard naval ships.
He was responsible for preventing submarine attacks on naval convoys in the North Atlantic.
After completing his mission, Mr Hemsley would need to land on the deck of an aircraft carrier, often in dangerous conditions.
He made 100 such landings, 40 of them at night.
“I know this because I have a logbook with records in it,” he said.
“I don’t know anyone who has more [landings]”.
Mr. Hemsley’s heroic deeds continued to be recognized by the Russian government, which awarded him a medal for helping deliver supplies to the Red Army during an Arctic convoy.
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His most recent medal arrived by post in April “on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation”, although Mr Hemsley said he believed it was “propaganda for the Russians”.
Mr Hemsley, 101, still plays golf several times a week [BBC]
Michael Farr, head professional at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, described Mr Hemsley as a “fantastic man”.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have the privilege of coaching him a little bit over the years,” he said.
“At 101 years old, it’s pretty impressive to still have the drive to get better.
“I think we all watched him go out [on the course] And thinking, ‘I want to be like Mr. Hemsley when I grow up.’ ‘”
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Mr. Hemsley attributes his longevity to staying active on the golf course and taking omega-3s.
“i can do without [golf]but I think it will hasten the end. “
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