New English Seniors Stroke Play champion Trevor Foster opened up about his 30-year battle with depression in the wake of his one-shot victory at Ashridge last night.
FORMAT 54-hole stroke play
The 62-year-old Pleasington player paid tribute to his wife Debbie after his remarkable victory, which looked unlikely as he frittered away shots around the turn.
However the former British Seniors Amateur champion played the last six holes in one under to edge out Surrey’s Ian Attoe, who started the final day nine shots back of Foster.
“I never thought it would happen,” the Lancashire Golf legend told English Golf. “I’ve won the Irish and I’ve won the British, but to win the English is really, really special. It was the one I wanted to win – definitely.
“It’s easy to be a loser, but to be a winner you have to work hard and I feel as if I have worked hard at it. Debbie has been an absolute rock for me and that’s why I am where I am.
“I’m not embarrassed to say it – and I hope it helps people – but I’ve suffered with depression and anxiety for 30 years. I’ve had a rock of a wife that’s got me through it to help me win majors like this.
“I’ve had a false hip six years ago and for people out there, I thought my golf was ended.
“If it helps anybody, you can get out it and you can get through it. It’s not a nice thing – but you can get through it.
“It’s great that England Golf support things like that– it’s become a big thing has depression and mental health. I help a few people with it and it’s good to battle through it and get to where I am.”
Foster, who put together one of the truly great rounds of golf in 2018 when he won the British Seniors at Royal Porthcawl – he shot an opening round 63 (-9) in an event when no other player broke 70 – started the final round one ahead of Devon’s Peter Bicknell (Torquay) and three clear of former pro Warren Bladon (Kenilworth).
And it all began well for the leader as he birdied the second. However he would eventually turn in 38 (+3) and Bicknell looked in the driving seat as he birdied ten to get to two under for the competition.
By that point two-time winner Attoe (Worplesdon), who finished second last year to Rupert Kellock, had been in the clubhouse for about an hour on two over after a closing 68 (-4). He had teed off more than three hours before the leaders and, after bogeying the first, racked up birdies at two, five, 12, 13 and 15.
Unfortunately for Bicknell the wheels started to come off at the 11th and a double bogey at the 15th was compounded by further bogeys at 16 and 18.
Foster had also bogeyed 11 and 12 and with two holes to go Attoe was the joint leader.
But the Pleasington player birdied the par five 17th to go back ahead and held his nerve at the last to claim the win, holing out from two feet to complete a remarkable final day.