They say good things come to those who wait – and that’s definitely the case for a veteran golfer who sank his first hole-in-one last weekend after 42 years of competition.

Neil Turner, 52, secretary of Baxenden Golf Club, got his season off to a sensational start at the club’s Opening Day Fourball by sinking a hole-in-one on the third hole.

Turner, of Moorland Rise, Haslingden, grabbed the ace on Baxenden’s par-three third, and is still enjoying reliving the moment the ball dropped.

He said: "I watched it all the way and when it bounced about a foot from the flag I thought it might have a chance and luckily it hit the pin and went in.

"The people around me were jumping about and celebrating but I just couldn’t believe it and stayed quite quiet. It was quite a moment.

"After playing for more than 40 years you start to think it’s not going to happen, but now I’ve done it I’d quite like to get a couple more. It’s a good feeling.

"I know quite a few people who’ve got a hole-in-one at that third hole, and straight after me my pair came very close to getting one as well, which would have been even more remarkable.

"I’ll be getting a tie from the club which will be a great memento and needless to say the whiskies were on me in the bar afterwards."

The club has also announced it will be offering free sessions to military personnel on weekdays.

With many relatives of club members currently serving in the armed forces, Mr Turner said he was proud to be able to offer the complementary sessions.

He said: "We had a meeting and felt it was the least we could do. All they’ll have to do is show their warrant card and they’ll have free use of the facilities.

"Many members have friends and family out in Iraq and Afghanistan and so everyone was very keen to show their appreciation for the work they do out there."

For more information on Baxenden Golf Club, or the free offer for military personnel visit www.baxendengolf.co.uk.