My family and I have been visiting Falmouth for the last 25 years and we have always enjoyed our trips – we stay at the Maenporth Estate and I get to play the course one or two days each time.

I am a partner of a law firm and I started playing golf occasionally at corporate events about 20 years ago. Unfortunately I rarely get any time to practice between games and so my play has stayed at the same level for many years although in recent years it is beginning to improve slightly.

About 5 years ago I made a “Bucket shop list” with only two ambitions on it (I don’t believe in putting too much pressure on oneself ). One of my ambitions was to see whales in the sea and the second target was to play Falmouth Golf Course in less than 100 shots. I achieved the first when we visited South Africa in 2013. Because I only play Falmouth a couple of times a year the second challenge continued to elude me however - I have seen parts of the course that most golfers don’t ever have to see. I continued to card between 100 and 110. Our family has grown up almost and it was beginning to look like I would have to visit Falmouth just to play golf .

Then, amazingly, I did it. On my second round on the afternoon of Tuesday 20 October I managed to play the course in 91 shots which surprised me greatly. There was no wind or rain that day and I did four pars and managed to avoid any “plus 10” holes (which I usually do) – it was as if the course was letting me play it for once out of sympathy, knowing that my chances were diminishing. I could not believe it and I was so excited to finally realise my dream. My family were quite excited too, knowing that I would not have to come back for year to come.

I bought everyone in the bar a drink – it was so late that there were only four people there though, but they entered into the spirit of it all.

I will treasure the ball and the score card from that memorable day.

I have played the course so often in the past I felt “uncomfortable” that I had achieved my goal and so I played it again 2 days later and achieved a very happy 107 – Falmouth wins again – which is how it should be.

I have always enjoyed playing the course and I find it to be a place of great tranquillity in the afternoons.

Nick Hallchurch