Golf: Barclays Monthly Mug for September-Morin still on top of his game |27 September 2006

True, he has not had it all his own way in the intervening years, with such players as Louis Vandagne, Godfrey Andrade and Ron Barbé taking his title away from him at various times. But, Charlie Morin is still on top of his game and a force to be reckoned with.

Last Saturday, in the Barclays Monthly Mug competition, Morin stormed away from the field, finishing with a gross score of 69, a full six shots clear of his nearest rival. He did, however, need to be at his best because the competition was a handicap one, in which all
players get a number of 'free shots' depending on their individual handicaps. After handicaps were taken into account, Morin emerged the victor by only one shot ahead of Jocelyn Ah-Yu who was in turn a further four shots ahead of third-placed Alex Esparon. Indeed, it was Morin's last shot of the day which did the trick. On the very last hole (a par 5), Morin chipped into the hole from the fairway to score an eagle 3. A well-deserved victory, earning him the prize for the day, presented by Frank Hoareau of Barclays Bank (Seychelles).

As previously reported, golf is a game for all ages. It is often very disappointing to see some of the brighter lights of the Seychelles sporting scene give up on their sport at a very young age. The demands of training are difficult to sustain. This is not so with golf, as the example of Morin demonstrates. Around the world, there are competitive golf players who enjoy the benefits (particularly health benefits) of decades of sporting activity. People who lack physical activity or who are considering retiring from their sport could do well to consider taking up golf.