Care home resident, 90, returns to golf course

Barrie Cooper has been a member at the Chevin Golf Club near Duffield, Derbyshire, for almost 50 years

"I've still got it!"

Barrie Cooper, 90, has just made an impressive putt, to the delight of those gathered around the green.

It is a beautiful sunny spring morning at the Chevin Golf Club near Duffield, Derbyshire, where Barrie has been a member for almost 50 years.

"I mean, look at that now. Look at the scenery. Where else would I rather be?"

Barrie, who is living with dementia, recently returned to the club with the help of staff at his care home.

Barrie still practises his golf swing to this day at his care home

He had not played his beloved sport for several months after suffering a nasty fall at home.

It happened soon after the death of his wife Daphne, who passed away in December last year.

"My wife used to support me like heck," Barrie said. "She's gone now. I miss her very much."

After a stay in hospital, during which he was diagnosed with dementia, Barrie moved into Milford House care home.

It was there staff discovered his love for golf and his longstanding membership at the Chevin, which is just two minutes down the road from the home.

Kirsty Swift, dementia care coach at Milford House, helped to arrange his welcome return to the club.

"It was back in March, and Barrie still talks about it now," she said.

Barrie went into a care home shortly after his wife Daphne passed away

The activity follows Milford House's method of dementia care, known as the Montessori approach.

The method, which has reportedly been a success in care homes across the US, Canada and Australia, encourages residents to be as independent as possible.

"We tend to look at people's hobbies and see what we can do to introduce that back to their life if that's something that stopped quite recently," Kirsty added.

"There's still lots of life to be had, and this just proves that, Barrie coming back down and doing something that he's always enjoyed, it's brilliant and long may it continue for Barrie."

The 90-year-old still impresses regulars at the club with his swing

Barrie believes the visits to the club have been beneficial for him too.

"Even the blokes I don't know will always speak to me," he said.

"It doesn't drive me out of the house because I don't need that. I've got a good home and everything.

"But yes, it does get you away."

Back on the course, Barrie has hit yet another clean drive from the tee, before he turns around to his carers and says: "I'm enjoying this!"