ANDREW Whitworth has stayed on top of his game and been the district’s best amateur golfer for an amazing two decades.
The Birchencliffe grandad-of-nine regularly takes on West Yorkshire’s finest amateur golfers – many of whom are half his age or less – and still beats them at the ripe old age of 50.
The Bradley Hall man has become a living legend and achieved local golfing immortality by winning the district’s major competition, the Halifax Huddersfield Union Matchplay Championship, an incredible 11 times.
While 48-year-old Colin Montgomerie and other older sportsmen fade from the limelight, Andrew, a financial advisor from Birchencliffe, shows no signs of decline. He still plays off scratch (zero handicap) and is the current Championship title holder.
Other notable achievements include winning the Halifax Huddersfield Union Strokeplay Championship twice and the Halifax and District title nine times. He has played for Yorkshire a grand total of 35 times – no mean feat in these days of highly competitive amateur golf.
Andrew took up golf as a boy, having caddied for his friend’s father and taken a liking to the game. He soon showed talent and joined Bradley Hall aged 12.
Examiner golf correspondent David Lockwood said: “Andrew has remained one of the most likeable, laid-back and unassuming golfers this area has ever possessed.”
Bradley Hall professional Peter Wood – where Andrew was captain in the club’s centenary year of 2007 – agrees: “He is a thoroughly nice guy and very popular. Andrew has been a terrific golfer all of his life, starting as a boy and progressing very quickly.”
Andrew added: “The other competitors are all younger than me now, but I try my best and am able to hold my own.
“I have been lucky and got through with dedication and a bit of talent. Win or lose, it is a lovely accolade to be nominated for the Examiner award”.
