Woodbridge-based Ron Hepworth MBE was joined by his sons and grandson at Woodbridge Golf Club, in Heath Road, for a special round on the day of his milestone birthday on Wednesday (July 8).
The evergreen centenarian – who still plays once or twice a week – enjoyed a nine hole round, followed by lunch.
By announcing that he wanted to play on his 100th birthday, it makes him the first active member to reach the age in the club’s 139 year history.
100 year old Ron Hepworth who celebrated his big birthday with a round of golf at Woodbridge Golf Club with his sons and grandson (Image: Lucy Taylor)
And incredibly, he can still hit a 150 yard drive, with his round today featuring a couple of pars as he went round the greens.
Family friend Patrick Barnes said: “He is very energetic. He is much more like an 80-year-old than a 100-year-old. He is very enthusiastic and everyday he wants to be busy.”
He added Ron was “very unusual” among golfers by still playing at his age.
Ron still plays once or twice a week at the club (Image: Lucy Taylor)
The celebratory event was organised by the club’s president Peter Sledmore and there were other members present to see Mr Hepworth tee off.
Ron was born on July 8, 1926 in the Old Trafford area of Manchester before his family relocated to Shenfield in Essex, after his father found work in the accounts department of the Ford Motor Company.
Ron was joined by his sons and grandson Max, Tim and Peter for the round of golf (Image: Lucy Taylor)
He attended Brentwood School in Brentwood.
He worked under Dr Beeching at British Rail, before becoming group taxation manager at Fisons, a global company at the time.
Upon leaving Fisons, he operated as a specialist accountant for Ensors, aiding local people with tax affairs, spanning into his 90s.
Known for his knack for sports, Ron’s involvement has reached near half a century at Woodbridge Golf Club.
Ron has been a member of Woodbridge Golf Club for nearly 50 years (Image: Lucy Taylor)
He’s also been a staunch supporter of Ipswich Town since moving to Woodbridge in the 1970s.
He married his first wife, Jancis, in 1956, with the two meeting at a tennis club, before remarrying to Jenny in 1986, whom he met at the Woodbridge Choral Society.
Ron was still putting pars on his way around the golf course. (Image: Lucy Taylor)
He has consistently shown a commitment to charities in Woodbridge, including 50 years with Woodbridge Rotary Club.
He was named a Freeman of Woodbridge in 2003, and made an MBE by the Queen in 2011 for services to the town.
Mr Barnes added: “Ron would say that the key to his longevity is keeping busy playing golf. It isn’t that many years ago that he was still playing squash. He has followed Ipswich Town for a good few years.”