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Frank Copsey steps up next. As you would expect, his replies are like a round of his golf - full of quality but takes twice as long as anyone else’s.
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Describe your first game with RCGC Seniors
My first competitive game was the October 1999 Medal. I beat all the blokes easily – Gross 81 off 14, net 67. Next best was 70. However NO MEDAL! One of the ladies did a net 64 off the Reds ! Nuff said.
And the most enjoyable one?
Well, over 10 years lots of them to consider. Smashing company with the seniors – but I like winning and enjoy the games the most, including Thursdays and matches when I win. My motto is “If you don’t want, you will never get”. I always want to win – at anything.
Your best achievement here?
I’ve won 2 Orders of Merit, 1 and only 1 Medal in May 2005, 1 Summer Doubles win with Keith Barratt and 2 Runners Up spots in the Winter Doubles again with Keith.
But undoubtedly, the best was in the Singles knockout in 2003 playing Mary Hawkins (off the reds!) in the final. She had every lady in the club, not just the seniors, rooting for her. The photographers were waiting – in vain -because I won.
The other three in your dream foursome ?
Tony Jacklin, Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood. Lee would be my partner.
Your hobbies/pastimes other than golf?
DIY, cars ,my allotment/greenhouse, wood turning and carpentry. My usual nights out are on Wednesday for the quiz at the Warterton Arms in Deeping and Friday at the Snooker Club. Was delighted recently to clinch a frame with a 22 break – brown, blue, pink and black to leave opponent Keith Barratt highly unamused.
Your favourite sporting memory?
I am an absolute diehard supporter of any sport where England are concerned or English men/women. Number 1 has to be the 1966 World Cup Football triumph. I watched it in a motel whist on holiday in Brighton. Then the great Ashes wins and the Rugby Union World Cup win. Also Henry Cooper’s left hook that should have finished Cassius Clay’s career – they reckon the timekeeper had been dropped a couple of bob.
The sportsperson you admire most of all?
It has to be Nick Faldo. Determination and dedication. “If you don’t want, you will never get”. Tony Jacklin would be second then Jimmy Greaves .
Your favourite place?
Florida – East coast – Fort Lauderdale. I’ve had several holidays in Florida but the east coast is best for pier fishing and of course there are the golf courses, beaches and sun. I was fishing off the pier many years ago and the bloke next to me got into a barracuda. It came out of the water about 4 feet in the air with the half fish in it’s mouth, dived and snapped his line. Magnificent!
What would be your last meal on earth?
A full mixed grill including a portion of black pudding, with a lovely pint of Auld Leekie. Pudding would be Spotted Dick with treacle washed down with another Auld Leekie. A large brandy and coffee would finish it off.
What 3 things do you look forward to mostly each day?
- Waking up and feeling o.k.
- Seeing that it is sunny and the North Easter has blown itself out.
- Getting something done – whatever –as long as I don’t let the day go without doing something.
What is your biggest regret?
None really – I’ve had a good life up to now - except that I wish I had never started smoking. I guess we can all make some mistakes but there can’t be many amongst us who have achieved everything they wanted and been a boring goody goody.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Working on George Houghton’s farm at Leesthorpe between 1941 and 1946 – after school and at weekends and mostly I drove the tractors. We had been evacuated there from Islington when a bomb went through the tenement flats where we lived.
Who/what would you like to be reincarnated as?
Myself aged 1. I don’t want to die but when I do why not another life like I have had up to now, but no smoking!
The Ladies you fancied over the years?
My first real fancy was a young lady from Long Clawson – I was probably 23 or 24. After a dance at Clawson I offered to take her home – she lived nearby in Clawson. Our transport was my 325 Talisman Twin. We came off on the first corner into a ditch. She survived intact but somewhat frightened and walked off home. She didn’t fancy me after that. On reflection I think I took the wrong line into the bend – possibly because of the 5 pints I’d had in those pre breathaliser days. Bloody Hell Eh!
I suppose I have fancied many of the film stars and models of the past 50 years. Marilyn Monroe standing over the air grate blower, was, and still is, a great picture for a fancy.
Princess Diana was to me one of the most attractive women I ever saw.
Write your epitaph.
“Here lies Frank, known to some in his early days as Duke. Elvis Presley was his look alike. Nobody special but a great trier.