A GOLFER was left feeling ace when he scored his first hole in one...at the age of 81.

Gerry Curtis, of Thorpe Bay, scored his first hole in one after 18 years of golf at the Garon Park Golf Complex, in Southend.

At first the grandfather-ofthree, who describes himself as a below average player, believed the ball was just near the hole until one of his competitors pulled the ball out of the hole.

The retired property developer said: “I took a wood off the tee and hit it well.

“It landed and ran right, slight off the green – but then it rolled left into the hole.

“My first impression was it was slightly behind the hole.

“It was only when others went up to the hole before me and pulled the ball out of the hole that I realised it went in.

“I was surprised and delighted to get my first hole in one at the age of 81.

“It can’t be bad.”

The octogenarian, who is a member of the club’s senior section, was out playing with three competitors in the Order of Merit competition, which takes the best ten scores from 15 rounds on Wednesdays throughout the year.

Mr Curtis, who worked for the Rose Construction Company and Roche Hall, admits he is near the bottom of the leader board and the rest of his round that day was below par.

The father-of-two, of Thorpe Esplanade, said: “I’ve had birdies and eagles before, but never a hole in one.

“We’ve only had three in the whole club this year.

“It’s great, it has made it all worthwhile. It’s lovely to get one at last.

“No friends have got one and it was so unexpected.”

The members returned to the clubhouse afterwards for a celebratory drink, but after many years drinking with Southend Rugby Club, healthy Mr Curtis opted for a cola.

Georgina Swallow, PGA professional for the Garon Park Golf Complex said: “Gerry Curtis has been a very loyal member of the golf club for 15 years.

“He’s a very warm and welcoming gentleman who gives back his time to the golf club by helping with our junior evening’s every Tuesday. All the staff at Garon Park congratulate him on his hole in one”