Monday 23 June 2008, Copt Heath Golf Course

At the Warwickshire Seniors Championship 2008 over an immaculate Copt Heath golf course, the best Warwickshire seniors took to their annual challenge for the six trophies; the most notable the Warwickshire Seniors Championship for the - George Stubbings Trophy.

Frank Wallington left Golf Club management last year and is now I/C of one of Birmingham’s Universities Conference Centres. The morning of the Seniors he was interviewing and the last candidate was half an hour late. Frank agreed to see him but then had to rush to Copt Heath and only just made his tee-off time, without a practice putt or even a few swings.

Frank then started with two birdies, saying afterwards ‘I should have this pre-play routine more often,’ One dropped shot followed in the next seven so Frank turned one under par and started on that very difficult 1st to 3rd.

The next four holes was a bit of a disaster - four bogies in a row.

Frank then hit a tree off the 6th tee barely 100 yards from the blocks. He could not find the ball and was literally going to his bag to find a new one, ready to play three off the tee, when his playing partners spotted the ball in front of the 4th green. A 9 iron over the trees, then an 8 iron to 15ft and when that putt went in the hole, he had a miracle par. The good feelings did not last as he made a hash of the par five 7th to go to +4.

Two holes were left and Frank made par at the 8th, then drove under a tree at the 9th. He was well down so he could get a six iron and chip the ball towards the green. It ran and ran, eventually ending up just 2ft from the hole - for a winning birdie.

Frank finished at the scorer’s desk with a 74 which was good enough to win the event.

In 44 years, I’ve won a few Opens, but never anything like this,’

said Frank at the presentations,

‘This has to be the best golfing day of my life - its such an honour.’

At the same event Ted Mason (Handsworth) won the Jim Dean Trophy for the 60-64s.