John Loader Hands Over

Staffordshire's Elite Senior Golfer John Loader

County Seniors Golf Starts in Staffordshire

In 1994 County Seniors golf was started in Staffordshire under the Chairmanship of John Loader of Beau Desert G.C. The first inter-county matches were played in 1995.  The first match being against Cheshire at Beau Desert that year.

The Midland Counties Join up

From these early beginnings, and thanks to John's industry and enthusiasm the Midland Counties soon adopted Seniors Golf as an exciting new development.  To-day each of the four English Regions has a Seniors Section.

Formation of UKSGA

After some early reluctance by the English Golf Union to embrace Seniors Golf, a National Seniors Association was formed. The U.K. Seniors Golf Association (UKSGA) owes it's foundation to Dr. Donald Holmes of Parkstone G.C., Brian Evans of Littlestone G.C., John Loader of Beau Desert G.C. and Graham Yule of Royal Lytham & St Annes G.C. who were instrumental in getting support from their own  regions.

The E.G.U. Embrace Seniors Golf

Following the success of the Association in promoting senior golf the E.G.U. took over the Home International Seniors fixtures in 2003.

The Country owes a great debt of gratitude to John Loader for his tireless campaigning on behalf of Seniors Golf in England.

This report is prompted by the retirement of John as Chairman of Staffordshire Seniors, and Midland Seniors Organiser.  He has held both positions until quite recently.   

John is not just a brilliant organiser but is also a golfing legend.  The following CV is proof enough!

Playing Record

• European Senior Champion (Holland) - 2002
• European Senior Team Champions (U.K. Senior Team) - 2002,2003
• Midland Counties Senior Team Champions (Staffordshire Senior Team) -1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009
• Midland Champion of Champions (Edgbaston G.C.) - 1981
• Staffordshire Senior Champion (record 5 wins) - 1993, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2008
• Von Limburg Trophy (Spain) - 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001
• David Marsh Senior Trophy (Southport & Ainsdale G.C.) - 1996
• England Senior Champion (55 - 59) (West Hill & Woking G.C.) - 1997
• Beau Desert Stag - 1981

Representative Honours

• England Seniors P14, W10, H2, L2
• Midland Seniors  P22, W13, H5, L4
• Staffs Seniors P142, Points 82
• Captain Staffordshire Seniors 1995/6
• Captain Midland Golf Union Seniors 1998/9
  
• Captain England Seniors. 1998
  

Administrative Honours

• President Staffordshire Golf Union - 1998, 1999
• Chairman Staffordshire County Seniors - 1994 to 2009
• Midland Golf Union (10 Counties) Seniors Organiser - 1997 to 2006
• Member of Staffordshire Executive Committee - 1996 to date

• Founded and organised Staffordshire Seniors Team ( First official County Seniors Team in England)
• Founded and organised Midland senior Team (First official groupseniors team in England)
• Was instrumental in persuading E.G.U. to organise seniors international matches  and County Senior Final.

Follow that, as they say!

John tells us that he still plays golf 8 days a week!  But has relinquished many of his administrative duties including chairing the Staffordshire Seniors.  He is pleased that the County Seniors is now in the capable hands of Professor David Thomas (Little Aston G.C.) a Past Captain of the seniors and Past President of The Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs. David will also be the County Seniors representative on the Midland Golf Union Executive.