Jimmy Cunningham: Local golfing legend

“IF you haven’t been chipped by Jimmy, you haven’t really played golf.”

It’s a well-worn saying around Kew Country Club, and it’s not just about his short game.

Albert “Jimmy” Cunningham, 95, is one of those rare local legends who leaves a mark far beyond the fairway.

With a razor-sharp wit, a swing that’s still the envy of men half his age, and a heart full of good humour, Jimmy is as much a part of the club’s fabric as the greens themselves.

Jimmy’s love affair with golf spans a lifetime, second only to his enduring devotion to his wife Julia; the couple were married an extraordinary 75 years.

They spent time in Bargara, QLD, before settling in Gosford and eventually finding their way to North Haven.

A gifted player, Jimmy once competed in pennants off a single-figure handicap.

According to friend Steven Hoffman, “Locals still joke that he could hit a ball straighter than a tradie racing to knock-off.”

When he joined the Camden Haven Golf Club, now Kew Country Club, Jimmy’s skills were quickly noticed.

“We suspect they just wanted to improve their Ambrose chances,” joked Mr Hoffman.

What truly set Jimmy apart was his legendary short game.

To play alongside him was both a privilege and a trial, especially if your putting wasn’t up to scratch.

He never missed a chance to offer “feedback” with a grin, and his sledges have since passed into club folklore.

Even as the years rolled on, Jimmy’s form barely faltered.

In 2019, at the age of 89, he won the B Grade Scratch Championship.

The following year, he added the net title to his collection before going on to win both the C Grade Scratch and Net Championships, shooting his age in two of the three rounds.

At an age when some would be looking for a good comfy chair, Jimmy was busy collecting trophies.

In the years that followed, he claimed the C Grade Match Play Final and the B and C Grade Putting Championship.

His consistency left younger golfers both in awe and slightly bewildered.

But Jimmy is remembered for more than just his trophies.

He’s a stirrer, a storyteller, and a steadfast mate.

Always ready with a quip or a tale, he made every round more entertaining, unless you happened to be on the receiving end of his banter.

At one time, the club boasted three members over the age of 94.

Today, Jimmy remains the last of that trio.

While a shoulder injury eventually saw him hang up his clubs, he didn’t complain, simply calling it “a bit of a grate”, as if it were a rusty hinge and not his own body.

Though he no longer walks the fairways on Mondays and Thursdays, Jimmy’s presence is still felt.

His mates tell stories, trade jabs in his honour, and recall the man who made every round better, and every sledge sharper.

At 95, Jimmy Cunningham is still a legend.

Just ask anyone at Kew.

By Luke HADFIELD