AN evergreen pensioner has hit a sixth hole-in-one at Seaton Carew Golf Club – an incredible 40 years after striking his first.

Former Hartlepool United footballer Barry Parkes, who has been a member of the Dr Alister MacKenzie designed links since 1976, is already keen to make it seven.

The 77-year-old struck a brilliant driver on the Cosy Corner 15th hole, a 187-yard par three off the yellow tees, that rolled straight in.

It was ace number three for him on that particular hole and brought back memories of the day in 1977 when he celebrated his first.

Barry said: “My first was a five-iron on the third in 1977. Since then I have had three on the 15th, another on the third and one on the 12th, the Mashie. Not bad.

“This time it was my driver, there was a bit of a breeze. Years ago I would have taken a six-iron, but old age creeps in, so I took a driver and it finished straight in the hole. It pitched before the green and ran right in.

“I bought a bottle of whisky for the lads, had a good drink to celebrate! All the lads came and gave me a big cuddle, it was great, and I loved it.”

Barry’s latest hole-in-one was during the annual England versus Ireland match, which takes place at Seaton every year and is a bit of fun for the members.

He was born and bred in Seaton Carew and wants to keep on going.

He said: “This hole-in-one won’t be my last … there’s plenty of life in me yet!”

Parkes added: “I joined Seaton in 1976. My first hole in one was just after I joined. I have enjoyed life, I am fortunate that I have so many great friends and at my age my life is still good.”

In his younger days he was an inside forward for Hartlepool United between 1960-63. He said: “I was a bit of a footballer, I wasn’t really any good! I played for Pools a couple of years full-time. I was at Ashington, Queen of the South and was on Reading’s books for a year.

“I have enjoyed life and I love my golf now, playing on a great course and at a great club like Seaton.”

Barry will be watching the action unfold at the Masters this week when the world’s best golfers will grace the Augusta National, created by the man who designed Seaton Carew, Dr Alister MacKenzie.