By his own admission, last year was a bit of a whirl for Phil Schiaffino.

And that was particularly so on Saturday 15th July when he landed on the golf course at Puckrup Hall in a helicopter.

Now Puckrup Hall is a pretty decent set-up, but it’s not every day that a chopper lands a chip and a putt from the greens and fairways of a club that celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2017.

So what was the occasion?

“It was Captains’ Day,” said Schiaffino with a laugh, “and a ride in a helicopter was one of the raffle prizes on offer. Myself and ladies’ captain Ros Fenney were both raising money for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.”

That was just one of many events that Schiaffino was involved in during his 12 months in office.

And while he very much enjoyed the role, he admitted it was hard work too.

“It took a lot out of me,” he admitted. “It was very time consuming although I knew what I was letting myself into. I will definitely do it again, although not until I’ve retired.”

Born in Halesowen in the West Midlands 52 years ago on 1st March, Schiaffino first started swinging a club in his early 20s, but it wasn’t until Puckrup Hall opened that he started playing seriously.

“I was a member at both Naunton Downs and Minchinhampton,” said the key account manager for a transport company, “but it was Puckrup that really grabbed me. It’s quite a flat course, it’s not a heavy walk. I fell in love with the course and the club.”

When he joined he played off 12 and his handicap has been as low as seven. These days he plays off a still very respectable 11 and he added: “I can hold my own, I can shoot under 80 occasionally.

“I think my game suits Puckrup Hall. I’ve got a bit of a fade – most people call it a slice! – and the course does favour that sort of shot. It’s quite a tight course.

“I hit a long ball although it does tend to go off to the right!”

That may be so, but he’s still been on the straight and narrow often enough to make an impression at the club.

“I’ve won a few medals and a few of the bigger competitions,” he said.

And while he has been doing pretty well on the course, he has also been happy to take plenty of responsibility off it.

“I was the members’ rep in 2015 and then vice-captain in 2016,” he said.

So did he have to think long about taking on the captaincy role?

“No, not at all,” he laughed, “I didn’t hesitate, I was looking forward to the parking space!”

And where does he park this year, now that Gary Eckersley has taken over as captain?

“If I tee off early I can get a decent spot,” he said. “But if not I’m in Twyning Cricket Club!”

Schiaffino is proud of the amount of money raised for Sue Ryder last year. “£19,423,” he said. “It was a record for the club.”

And Captains’ Day was the obvious highlight in a jam-packed year of fund-raising.

“We held a Texas Scramble,” he said, “and I put all the pins in impossible positions. They were on the edge of greens, on slopes; it was lots of fun.”

It certainly was and the day raised £9,200 which was a very considerable figure.

Schiaffino is quick to point out that he received plenty of support, particularly from his wife Sam, sister Jo Colman and her partner Andrew Pearson, who is a director at Sue Ryder.

“Sam loved being first lady when I was captain!” laughed Schiaffino.

And rather like Michelle Obama when her hubby was the main man in the White House, Sam had a recipe for success when it came to making as much money as possible for Sue Ryder.

“She ran the halfway house which was a place you could get refreshments from on the course,” said Schiaffino, who lives in Powick, not far from Worcester. “She loved it.”

So does she still go to the golf club now that her husband is no longer captain?

“No,” he laughed, “she hates golf, she’s never played it!”

It looks like the Schiaffinos will be spending quite a bit of time apart over the next few years, because her husband has no intention of packing up the sport any time soon.

“I’ll play for as long as I’m physically able,” he said.

And if Puckrup are looking for a captain in the early 2030s, there’s every chance he’ll be up for that too!