Martin’s been a Milton Golf Club member for an astonishing 75 years!

And his loyalty and devotion to the club is such Martin has now completed an astonishing 75 years as a Milton member.

He’s believed to be the first member to reach three quarters of a century of membership of a club that was established on the outskirts of Peterborough in 1938.

In fact Martin, who is now 87, would have joined even sooner if club regulations had allowed it.

“I used to join my parents for a round when the club first opened,” Martin recalled.

“But you weren’t allowed to join the club officially until you were 12 so I had to bide my time.

“I joined in 1945 and have kept up my membership ever since. I’ve never thought of letting it lapse or of joining another club. I live in Longthorpe so it’s my local club and it’s a very pretty course so why would I play anywhere else?

“There were times when I didn’t play as much. I did my National Service between 1951 and 1953, but still found time for a game and I ran an off-licence business which took up plenty of my time, but I always found room for a round of golf.

“In fact the longest I’ve ever gone without playing was the recent lockdown which kept me off the course for three months. That was a very frustrating time, but we had to stay safe.

“Up until then I was still managing to play 18 holes, but I’m currently playing nine holes, twice a week, on a Monday and a Friday.

“I just love the sport and I love the course.

“My father was into tennis and cricket before golf, but I’m grateful he introduced me to golf. I‘ve made some great freinds over the years.

“Obviously I’ve seen a few changes with the equipment and the balls we use, the game is basically the same with accuracy most important.

“I could tell plenty of stories about the old days, but I don’t want to be seen as a golf bore. There are plenty of them about already.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise that Martin Bains has won a few trophies in his 75 years as a club member at Milton.

Included in the older photograph are the President’s Cup, the Paten Cup, Craig Cup and the Captain’s Prize.

Martin can’t recall for what he won the smaller trophies in the picture.

“I’ve won all the male trophies at Milton apart from the Victory Cup which is a pairs competition,” Martin said.

“One of the highlights was winning a trophy alongside my father Bert, but I don’t play competitive golf now. I’m strictly a social golfer these days.”

At his best Martin was an eight-handicap golfer (‘you can add 20 shots to that now’) , but in 75 years as a member he has yet to record a hole in one.

Martin’s wife Janet used to be a regular playing partner and his son Richard was an accomplished enough player to become an assistant professional at Delapre Golf Club in Northampton before he failed to match his father’s longevity by retiring from the sport.

Martin can remember paying 1.5 Guineas to joinMilton - the equivalent of £1.50 these days - a bit cheaper than today’s full adult membership rate of £1.070 per year.

Not for Martin though. “The club made me an honorary member a while ago,” Martin added.

“So I don’t have to pay, much to the annoyance of my regular playing partners!”

Milton club secretary Andy Izod is in awe of Martin’s one-club career.

He said: “The club itself goes back to 1938 and the archives will not show length of a membership in those days, but I seriously doubt any other member has completed this length of term as a playing member while still actually playing golf.”