Ralph Tasker, of hole in one fame, was 90 on Sunday 23 May. His seniors wanted to celebrate this event so over 50 went out on Thursday 27 May to celebrate this day. The first group went out just after 8:30 with the last group with Ralph, Bob Howes, Tony Brader and Norman Beaumont taking up the tail of the field. All groups enjoyed the now excellent cakes at the Half Way House that had been generously donated by the club.
By the time the last group played their tee shots on the last hole, crowds were gathering at the top of the hill. As Ralph lead this group up the fairway, the crowds started to drift over to the green. Several seniors who were not playing, also came along to join in. The pressure with this noisy audience was growing and the captain thinned his second through the bunkers leaving a testy pitch over the trees. Eventually, by various routes, everyone was on the green. Even more pressure with the barracking, ooohs, aarhs and "get in the hole". This did not phase Ralph who putted out to cheers and applauds. Then everyone drifted over to the "beer tent", for the presentation with several pictures here. There were a couple of cards, an engraved trophy, an engraved whisky tumbler, a bottle of champagne from the seniors and another bottle donated by Ian Morris, the new mango flavour. Then there was a short speech from Ralph.
The results were :- Ken Hartley with 39 points Steve Wharton with 37 and Graham Lewis with 35 on count back.
The whole day was not about the golf but about Ralph. Ralph very generously sent a reply to all the seniors.
I would like to say a great big thank you to all the Seniors for an unforgettable 90th birthday celebration. To come up the 18th fairway and see all of you standing there, yes I did have tears, thank you to Bob and the organisers, thank you for the glass, the trophy, and drinks also to those who didn’t play and came along to wish me Happy Birthday ,for many years I have been fortunate to be able to play with the Seniors and always we have been able to chat and joke our cares away. Thank you all Ralph