For more than six decades, golf has been a constant in Bruce Leighton's journey
For more than six decades, golf has been a constant in Bruce Leighton's journey - from his early days at Ashburton to cherished experiences abroad. He has lived the game in every sense: as a competitor, a club stalwart and a proud life member. Following his recent 99th birthday celebrations, Bruce shared his story with Golf New Zealand in his own words.
They say golf is a game for life, and few embody that more than Ashburton Golf Club’s Bruce Leighton.
Reaching that milestone is believed to make Bruce the oldest active golfer in New Zealand, as he still is seen weekly at the club with Ashburton’s ‘Nine Holers’.
“They are a great crew,” Bruce says.
Bruce started his golfing life when he moved to Ashburton in 1958, about the time the club made the transition to its new Brandon course. He joined soon after and with just a couple of lessons soon found his feet. Breaking 100 for the first time was his initial success, then reducing his handicap to eight and producing his best round of 78.
Along the way, Bruce captured the Intermediate, Junior A, and Junior B Championships, achievements he is still proud of.
In a span of more than 60 years, Bruce estimates that he has played nearly 3,000 rounds of golf at 50 per year. With four par-3s per round, that's roughly 12,000 tee shots. One of them landed in the cup for his only hole-in-one so far.
"It took me long enough!" Bruce jokes.
The chances of an average golfer making a hole-in-one are at about 12,500 to one, so Bruce is a tough critic considering his estimate of attempts is much less than that ratio.
A standout golfing memory came during a trip to the United Kingdom in 1987, which happened to coincide with the British Open at Muirfield. Bruce attended and was fortunate to watch legends like Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Nick Faldo up close. The following week, he achieved a lifelong dream by playing the Old Course at St Andrews.
A sharp up and down on the fabled 18th green even elicited applause from a small group of onlookers.
"What a thrill," he said.
Golf to Bruce has never been about the scores, the game served as a comfort and form of therapy in difficult periods of his working life.
"To be able to get out there to golf, put that little white ball on the tee, endeavour to coax it down the fairway, then into the hole, I could not think of anything else. It was the best therapy I could ever have."
And friendship and community were no less important. From eccentric mates to familiar characters, Bruce treasures people he has met along the way.
"The fantastic people that I met up with and played my golf with, they are a good outfit.
He recounts a story about one of the many characters he's played golf with over the years.
"I was paired with one of these and when we reached the 18th tee our opponents informed us that they were one up in the 'haggle'.
"My partner had complained and insisted on being square. Cards were checked and he was right.
"I thanked him for this and his reply was just 'Well, you don't think they kept me in Standard 4 for two years for nothing.'"
Bruce paid the game back in club service. He was a member of the committee, President in 1993–94, and chair of the 1995 Centennial Committee.
"It has been my privilege to serve," he says.
In 2013, at the age of 87, Bruce pulled off the rare feat of playing to his age - twice. First, he carded an 87, and two weeks later, he followed it with an 85.
Bruce will be the first to tell you that golf has given him much: purpose, therapy, friendship, and joy. Above all, he credits his wife's encouragement for allowing him to live such a lengthy and fruitful golfing life.
"My golfing life has been so much of my life, and I am sure that it has helped me to last as long as I have."
Golf New Zealand would like to congratulate Bruce not only on his 99 years of life but for is contribution to golf over 60+ years involved in the game on and off the course. People like Bruce make golf what it is; a game for life that can be enjoyed by all.