GOLF: When Barry Kinsey came to Seckford Golf Club eight years ago, it was purely by chance.However, the former Ipswich rugby player and referee has had a big impact on its development, first as an administrator and then as the club's secretary.

GOLF

WHEN Barry Kinsey came to Seckford Golf Club eight years ago, it was purely by chance.

However, the former Ipswich rugby player and referee has had a big impact on its development, first as an administrator and then as the club's secretary.

Barry retired at the end of last month following injuries sustained in an accident, although he will continue to have some involvement and has been made an honorary vice-president.

"When I came to Seckford, it was at a time that I wanted a change in direction of my career," he said.

"I had been a financial controller for a local building society and when I left there, I fell on Seckford by chance. Somebody told me about the situation at Seckford and I took up the challenge.

"I've seen Seckford grow from virtually a field to a full blown golf course and what better experience can you get than that? It hasn't been plain sailing and I had to work seriously at it."

Barry feels that unless golf moves on, it could be in danger of stagnating.

He says: "The age of the bulk of the membership at any golf club is upwards of 45 and those in the age group of, say,

22-45 are normally too busy with their businesses to devote enough time to golf.

"I would like to see clubs develop a nine-hole strategy to cater for that age group. Too many business people simply haven't got the time to spend four hours out on the golf course, but if clubs were to introduce nine-hole competitions that would help."

He continued: "Turning to the juniors, I'm delighted that Seckford has been accepted by the EGU into the Junior Golf Foundation.

"What I would like to see now is junior members be allowed to play for free at any other course in the country.

"If they're away at college or university, for example, students should have the opportunity of continuing with their golf otherwise they could be lost to the game. This is a real problem.

"I would advocate them being given what I would call a Continuity Card to allow them to play on any course and that would apply to any junior member at any club in the country.

"There's a great opportunity now for the EGU to do something about it."

Barry will continue to play a role in Seckford's development, working on the PR side and generally promoting the club.