Breaking 100 is a key milestone for many golfers, but Harvey Golf Club’s evergreen Harry Blackburn has achieved that feat in a different way – by turning 100 just before Christmas.
Born on December 20, 1922, “Young Harry” (as he is known to fellow club members at Harvey GC) has been a member of the club since April 1967, although he didn’t take up the game seriously until his retirement from farming in his 60s.
A model example of how to remain competitive as a senior golfer, Harry actually became better with age, even claiming the Harvey GC Golfer of the Year Award at the grand old age of 90. In November 2018, aged almost 96, Harry scored 41 pts to be clubhouse leader after round one of the Alcoa Harvey Open, leading a field of 138 golfers from 28 clubs. Although he couldn’t hold on to top spot, it was still a legendary effort.
Harry’s competitive nature was further recognised with the naming of the annual Harry Blackburn Medal for the best player in the Harvey Golf Club’s seasonal ‘Fantasy Football’ golf competition.
Harry’s wife Jane (pictured here with him) is also a member at Harvey GC, having taken up membership in 1965 on her way to becoming one of South West WA’s top female golfers and a winner of many Gold Letter events across the region.
Although Harry is currently retired from competitive golf, the club hopes he will return to the fairways in an attempt to ‘shoot his age’ and continue to prove that age is just a number.
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If you’re a senior looking to get into golf, you can find out about GolfWA’s seniors’ programs here.
