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(BROOKDALE Golf Club Captain Garry ‘Gazza’ Smith, also known as the club’s Bionic Man for the number of body replacements and repairs he has enjoyed and endured during a long sporting career, was delighted to notch his third hole-in-one at his beloved club.
It came on the par three on the tricky 169-yard par three 11th hole playing in the Derek Miller KO singles competition.
Gazza, who plays off 12 handicap, hit a sweet 5-iron into a stiff breeze and it never left the flag to go straight into the hole.
Gazza lost the match but was able to celebrate his hat-trick of aces with the first coming several years ago on the old third hole (now a practice hole by the clubhouse.
Gazza said: “It was witnessed by one of our old, now departed, members Colin Whittaker who played for my old club Sheffield Wednesday and Oldham – from the fifth tee he shouted ‘It’s -----gone in Yorkie!’.
“The other ace was on our 16th on a temporary par three and then on the 17th hole I lipped out from a 1 and had to settle for a two instead for what would have been a record of some sort in scoring two aces with successive shots!
Big Hoorah for Brookdale’s Bionic Man
GARY ‘Gazza’ Smith (pictured) is delighted to be installed as Vice Captain of his beloved club where he has been a very active and successful member for many years.
This is remarkable considering the health problems he has endured in recent years.
Gary said: “My aim is to support Captain Peter Buckley, be a proactive member of the board, interested in boosting junior membership and in general helping Brookdale to continue being a great Golf Club.
“I will continue to captain our A Team Captain in the Oldham and District Golf League aiming to build on winning the Championship division last year.
“On the back of my own health problems I am looking to start up a hip replacement/joint replacement golf society- ‘The Hoorah Society’ (hip, hip) For more details etc contact me on gazzasmiff58@sky.com or tel 079181769171.
“I usually cause a lot of concern in airports in the security area on my trips to Spain as my metal parts set off all the alarms! My medical problems have been – a double hip replacement in 2000, right hip revised (replaced) in 2013, heart attack (three stents), two ankle surgeries in 2014, followed by right ankle fusion in 2016,
“I had a left knee replacement 2017 and a detached bicep in June 2018 which resulted in playing one handed for three months.
“I recently had left ankle fusion in December 2018 which resulted in narrow escape - pulmonary embolism (result of surgery - blood clots on lungs).
“I enjoyed my first game of golf four days after ‘boot’ off (three months on crutches) and the Captains drive in at the end of March.
“My overall life ambition - keep waking up and enjoy life with continued wanderings down the fairways and enjoy some great holidays with my very patient wife.
“I want also continue developing my Special Needs Football Club – BridgeAbility FC helping disadvantaged youngsters access and enjoy football.
“My golfing ambitions are to lead our A team and help our seniors to victory, be a successful Vice Captain and Captain in 2020.
“I will hopefully get my handicap back down to single figures (10.0 at the moment) by keeping in good health and winning a few more majors at Brookdale.”