Bill's a class act
Sep 4 2008 The Journal
Seventy-five-year-old Bill Gradon from Morpeth Golf Club has achieved a record many of us can only dream of - within seven days he scored below his age in three different competitions including a marvelous five under gross. Playing off a six handicap, this veteran delivered a class performance at his club's Captain's Day carding a 66 nett 60 to win the event. A few days later in the Saturday medal he finished with a 73 nett 67 and in a senior's competition the following week, Bill scored a 68 nett 62 to win the Gray Trophy.
Bill from Pegswood Village in Northumberland started playing golf over 40 years ago, initially at Newbiggin Golf Club before joining Morpeth in 1972. He has represented Northumberland County Veterans in recent years but this season has failed to make the team.
Bill said: "The 66 was my best round ever and worth waiting for. You have to be a straight hitter here at Morpeth and I believe that is one of my strengths. The 1st is a short par 4 which I birdied with a good approach shot and single putt. I then had three bogeys and three pars and at the 8th, I hit a good tee shot and made birdie. At the par 4 9th, I was short of the green with my approach and chipped in for another birdie."
His outward nine, a level par 36 was great golf in itself but nothing compared to what was about to happen on the back nine.
Bill continued: "I made a solid par 5 at the 10th and then birdie at the next after another good second shot. I made par at twelve and then birdied both the 13th and 14th and at the 15th, I holed my approach shot for eagle. I then finished with three pars to come home in 30, that's five under par, a grand total of 66.
"I've been back in 32 before so 30 is the best I've played the back nine - it was just one of those days, my concentration was good."
Bill learnt to play golf through reading books and watching videos of golfers, studying their swings and the positions of their hands. He hasn't modelled his swing on anyone in particular but admits to admiring Tom Watson's swing and strong fast hands.
Although in the twilight of his life, he is still involved with a youth club in Pegswood run by the Mustard Tree Trust. And on Fridays he offers advice to kids who want to learn how to play golf and takes them to the Gubeon Golf Centre at Morpeth to help them improve their games.
And as a seasoned veteran of the golf world, Bill offered this piece of advice for up and coming juniors: "To put a good round of golf together you have to be dedicated and patient. If things are not going well during the round, be patient and be confident with yourself that you are going to strike the ball well. Basically swing slow and keep it rhythmic with a good tempo. Never lose your head and keep control of you temperament because once that happens you are completely lost."
