Browne still has what it takes at 68
L&B vet second ahead of hospital op
Wednesday August 25 2010
VETERAN Laytown and Bettystown GC professional Bobby Browne received a tonic ahead of going into hospital for an operation by coming joint second in the PGA Super 60s Tournament at De Vere Belton Woods in Lincolnshire last Thursday.
The 68-year-old, who is undergoing treatment for skin cancer, combined beautifully with amateur partner Des Lappin as they carded a second-round six-under-par 66 for a total of 10-under.
The duo shared second place with Essex PGA professional John Hudson (Rivenhall Oaks) and his partner John Birkett as well as Midlands-based duo and past champions Iain Clark and his amateur Colin Day.
The tournament was won by West Midlands Golf Club professional Alan Roach and his partner Stephen Wild from Trentham in Staffordshire.
Browne and Lappin, a 12handicapper, both bagged four birdies apiece during their round, which was offset by two bogeys, and Browne – professional at Laytown and Bettystown for 43 years – said: 'We dovetailed really well and my partner played well. We took birdies on the last three which made the difference.
'We were too far back to trouble the leaders. We had a bad front nine and came back in 31, but it's a good result for us.
'I'm only a social golfer now and this is more for entertainment than financial reasons.
'I like coming away for a few days and staying in a nice hotel and seeing the guys I played with back in the 60s and 70s.'
Incidentally, rumours of Bobby's retirement, sparked by a PGA press release issued last Thursday referring to the 'former' professional, are premature as the PGA later admitted the information was a 'faux pas' on their part!
Meanwhile, Laytown and Bettystown's men's team are preparing for the away leg of their Barton Cup Final tie against Dunmurray Springs which takes place on Saturday next, with the return match on September 11th.
