Article by Graham Cornes | The Advertiser
Saturday, 10th January 2015
INSPIRATION. It comes in many forms — from the heroic firefighters who volunteer their time and risk their lives, to those who confront illnesses and overcome them, or to the parents who battle to raise their kids and put a roof over their heads.
However, you don’t expect to find inspiration in a social game of golf.
Glenelg Golf Club, like the other three sand-belt courses between Glenelg and Seaton is a pure delight — a sanctuary from the pressures of everyday life. This, despite the fact that golf, a most difficult game, presents its own pressures and frustrations.
They have a booking sheet system for members at Glenelg where if you want a game of golf, you go online and put your name in any time-slot that is available.
It means sometimes that you are playing with people that you haven’t met before.
Such was the case when I arrived for a game of golf last Monday.
My playing partners for the day were a couple of long-time members who had obviously been playing the game for many decades.
They were gracious enough to welcome me to their group and like most of the old boys at the club played straight and steady — right up the middle. They were patient enough also to tolerate my wayward shots and general ineptitude for the game.
They were no spring-chickens and curiosity eventually got the better of me.
“How old are you boys?”, I dared to asked.
They both chuckled. “Well I’m 93 “, said “Bob” Gilfillan, “and Les is 97.”
Bob worked his way from a farm in Jamestown, to be a mining engineer in Broken Hill.
He served in New Guinea as engineer in World War II and his mate Les Diercks, who was born in 1917, flew for the Americans in the South Pacific in the same conflict.
What life stories they had to tell.
Their zest and vitality put me to shame. Both walked the course and exchanged the banter that only Aussies mates indulge in. “It’s pity our other mate isn’t here as well, he’s older than both of us”, they said cheekily. Phillip Pinnell, who usually plays with them is 98. Amazing.
Australia, unlike other cultures, is generally not a society that respects or venerates its older generations. It’s a pity because we can learn so much. These old boys should know how inspiring they are.
Les Diercks’ secret to longevity is simple. “Golf”, he said frankly.
It might work for him but it’s going to be the death of me!
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