Golden oldies make a comeback

It was back to the good old days when the Manchester Open resumed for the 15^th occasion after a three-year break, writes David Birtill.

And it evoked memories of yesteryear with the return of several “senior” professionals who had not competed in regional Order of Merit events for some time.

The chance to relive past glories was too good to turn down for the golden oldies and while the younger players were calling the tune it was, ironically, a 48-year-old who stole their thunder by a shot.

David Brunton, long time attached to Ringway Golf Club, hadn’t even looked at his clubs during the whole of last winter before dusting them down a few weeks prior to the season getting under way.

He had joined the paid ranks as a 17-year-old and counted the legendary Denis Durnian among his mentors.

“It was during that era when the likes of Derrick Cooper and the late Michael Slater were people to look up to,” recalled Brunton who survived a heart attack competing at Frilford Heath in 2014.

Regional manager Jonathan Paine was delighted with a 100-plus field at Manchester.

“This is back as one of our flagship events,” he enthused. “We have better communications with our professionals, especially the older ones whom we have not seen for a long time.

“Manchester is a terrific venue and we are confident the tournament will grow from strength to strength.”