An evergreen Kent golfer is still in full swing aged 100 – and has no intention of putting down his clubs.
Christopher Martin is easily the oldest member of Canterbury Golf Club and Driving Range and continues to play a couple of times a week.
He walks unaided, carrying a heavy bag of clubs, can drive the ball up the fairway – and remains a remarkably accurate putter.
He told KentOnline: “I will carry on playing for as long as I can.
“I enjoy doing it. It’s nice to get outside.
“It’s a challenge to play as well as I can, despite getting old.
“I can’t hit the ball nearly as far as I used to but I just keep going.”
Christopher Martin, 100, playing at Canterbury Golf Club
Mr Martin credits his longevity to staying active and having a healthy lifestyle.
“When I was young, everybody smoked, which I never did,” he said.
“I always have walked quite a bit other than playing golf.
“I think golf has kept me physically fit.
“But I used to walk several miles and in the past, when I was a bit younger. I could walk around in the morning and in the afternoon, so it’s really good exercise.”
Christopher Martin, from Bridge, remains a remarkably accurate putter aged 100
Mr Martin, who lives in Bridge, is two months older than David Attenborough and a year older than Canterbury Golf Club itself.
A celebratory lunch was held for him last month. Club captain Nigel Fluet presented him with a certificate granting him honorary membership and a letter giving him free golf whenever he chooses.
Mr Martin said: “It’s a great pleasure being given that.”
Club general manager Alan Holcroft said: “Chris is quite unbelievable and he belies his age in every way, not just in the fact that he continues to play golf.
“He is the perfect advert for the benefits of the game, keeping you youthful and extending your lifespan.
Christopher Martin, 100, with his bag of clubs at Canterbury Golf Club
“It also gives you the opportunity to regularly see lifelong friends and, of course, to meet new ones in the relaxed atmosphere of the clubhouse.”
Christopher Martin has been a member of the club since 1974 and is one of the longest-serving.
He was born in Canterbury on March 26, 1926, growing up in Challock and attending Ashford North Central School.
After leaving school, he briefly worked on the railways and then became a General Post Office (GPO) telephone engineer.
During the Second World War, as a teenager, he did firewatching in London, where his aunts lived, and post-war did National Service in Germany.
Christopher Martin says playing golf has kept him fit
Christopher Martin, 100, in full swing at Canterbury Golf Club
In his working life, Mr Martin had periods abroad, such as working for the British Embassy in Lebanon, where he met his wife Nadia.
Later, he was in Nigeria working for British Telecom (BT), the GPO’s successor on the telecommunications side.
Back in east Kent, Mr Martin lived in various places such as Canterbury and Herne Bay, most of the time working for BT.
Mr Martin was married to Nadia for 45 years. She died in 2004.
He has a son, Roy, and two granddaughters.