A STALWART of Kendal's 18-hole putting green on Gooseholme has celebrated his 50th anniversary of competing.

Kevin White has played in every putting tournament at Kendal Putting Association since 1965 - a total of around 500.

The 79-year-old, match secretary and president of the association, has won league 13 times and a record eight singles finals.

He recently celebrated by cutting a cake with Kendal mayor Cllr Chris Hogg.

"The green is one of the few public amenities that are left," said the retired butcher. "People come back every year. I get people coming in saying: 'You've been here a long time'. It's fantastic."

Kendalians have been putting since the early 1930s.

The original putting green, situated in Miller Field between Aynam Road and the River Kent, was run by Kendal Borough Council.

A singles knockout cup started in 1933 and was played until the war.

It was reintroduced in 1962 and is still played as an open competition.

Shortly after, a singles league was developed. Then, from an idea by White, a league for teams was introduced.

This in turn led to the formation of Kendal Putting Association in 1966 and grew from strength to strength.

In the early 1970s the river widening scheme meant that the putting green had to be moved.

It was relocated to the present site on Gooseholme, and took effect for the 1974 season.

Since 1966, White has voluntarily organised and run the league and the various competitions which have been introduced, and has run the green in association with numerous enthusiasts both past and present.

White said when the league started there was 15 teams. In 1973, at its height of popularity, there was 44 teams.

Now, there are just 13.

"The only thing that bothers me is that we are losing the element of young people," said White. "I am hoping the clock comes round and they will come back.

"It's just a sign of the times with the internet. There was hardly any TV then. It doesn't matter what sport you are talking about, they are all fighting for young ones."