JACK Bullen is 92, but on the golf course he proves that age is no barrier to skill — and luck.
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This week he beat an open field which included the father of world golf star Marc Leishman and another younger player who plays off a scratch handicap.
Also in the field was former club champion Bill Sinclair who is still a handy player at the age of 94.
“The beauty of golf is that you can play from the age of five to 100,” Mr Bullen told The Standard.
“I don’t care too much about the result. It’s the fun of being there and enjoying the social side.
“I’ve been playing golf since about 1948 when I gave up playing footy with Nhill where I was a ruckman.”
In his heyday, the self-taught golfer had a handicap of eight which has come back to 26, but he still prides himself on trying to play rounds with a score below his age.
This week Mr Bullen won on a countback after scoring 41 stableford points in a field of about 80 players.
The Second World War veteran, who served in the Middle East and Borneo, has an energy level that would put others much younger to shame.
He plays golf three days a week and uses his two exercise bikes daily.
Former golf club veterans division chairman Ian Wright said Mr Bullen was one of the most consistent players.
“He looks after himself well and reads the greens so well,” Mr Wright said.
“You can play golf well into old age as long as you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s a good social sport and we regularly get 70 to 90 players at the veterans’ competition on Tuesdays.”