In light of a few impressive age related feats in recent
golfing news, I thought I would write a little something about them. Most recently we have Tom Watson’s election
as captain of the US Ryder Cup Captain for the 2014 event. He will be the oldest captain of either side
in the history of the event, turning 65.
Of course he is no stranger to age related feats, coming tantalizingly
close to claiming a sixth Claret Jug at the age of 59 back in 2009; losing in a
playoff to Stewart Cink. Tom Watson is
quite remarkable, a powerful force on the Champions Tour while still regularly
making cuts on the regular tour, he relishes the opportunity to tee it up with
today’s young stars and show them that he still has it. Tom Watson, when he captained the side in 1993
also made another record when he gave Raymond Floyd a wildcard, making him the
oldest ever Ryder Cup player ever a the age of 51.
Staying
with the older side of things, one of my favourite European golfers, Miguel
Angel Jiminez, became the oldest winner of a European Tour event at the Hong
Kong Open last month at the age of 48 years and 318 days. He overtook previous record holder Des Smyth
by 284 days and personally I can’t see why he couldn’t win again. As I’m sure we are all aware people are all
getting older, 50 is the new 40 and as this trend continues, we will see more and more older golfers
continue to win (this is definitely in Tiger Woods’ favour; if he is ever to
beat Jack Nicklaus’ records, he will need all the time he can get. )
Moving on
to the younger side of things, Jiminez’s new old age record was only a week
after Matteo Mannasero became the first teenager to win 3 European Tour titles
after he claimed the Singapore Open in a playoff against Louis Oosthuizen. As well as people getting older and still
competing, it seems as though at the other end of the field, some of the
competitors seem to be getting younger.
This is most evident in the story of Tianlang Guan who despite still be
an amateur, will become the youngest ever competitor in the Masters next April
at the extraordinary age of 14. I think
this is too young to be honest; there is a certain pressure that comes with
paying in front of huge crowds and media and I don’t think a 14 year old should
be allowed to be subjected to that even if he has some experience in big
amateur comps and other mini Tour events.
There is
obviously no age limit that prevents older golfers from competing and I don’t
personally agree with the restriction to Major Past Champions invitations
because more than anybody this will affect Watson who appears to want to play
in the Open forever but there should definitely be a restriction at the other
end of the scale. Matteo Mannasero was
only 16 when he burst onto the scene but that should be the limit and even t 16
it takes something special (which obviously Matteo has) to cope with Tour
life.
Finally, I
would like to say that the agelessness of this great game is what makes it so
great. You can take up the game at 6 and have fun, make a living ( if you’re
good enough) for 30-40 years, play it with your business associates, old School
friends ( even if your wife if you’re desperate) and you can play it just for
some fresh air when your 85 years old, how many sports can boast that? Don’t see to many 80 year olds playing tennis
do you?
Have fun growing old and playing golf!
FF
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