Oliphant has a title for every decade

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This article was published 30/10/2015 (3810 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As he nears the 40th anniversary of his first round at the course, Rossmere Golf and Country Club’s 2015 club champion, Rob Oliphant, says the formula for success could be summarized in the phrase “less is more.”

Oliphant also won the crown in 2014, giving him the distinction of winning a Rossmere title in every decade beginning with his teens and running through his 50s. His approach has changed throughout that run, thanks to injuries and younger competition.

Oliphant was introduced to the sport by his father and brother when he was nine. An active athlete, he also played baseball, hockey, football and badminton throughout his school years.

But golf was where Oliphant quickly found success. Four years after starting, he played in his first Manitoba junior Championship. By 15 he had a four handicap. Two years later he won the Rossmere junior club championship.

“I started improving right away by playing against better competition,” Oliphant explained.

His success continued on larger stages. In addition to winning another Rossmere championship, Oliphant made two Manitoba Mid Amateur teams and once finished fifth at the Canadian junior championships.

When he was 25, life got busy and Oliphant stopped playing competitive golf, though he did manage to win another Rossmere title in his 30s, keeping the streak alive.

Oliphant returned to competitive golf after he turned 40 and found himself playing against golfers half his age. They hit longer than he could, especially after a back injury limited his swing power.

“They average 15 to 20 yards longer than me,” Oliphant said. “I try and play a consistent game.

“Make par your friend.”

That forced Oliphant to adjust his approach, with more concentration on placement, his short game and putting.

“My putting has gotten worse over the years,” Oliphant admitted.

It was still good enough to help Oliphant win more Rossmere club championships in both his 40s and 50s, making it five straight decades he has captured the trophy.

Winning the Rossmere title against competitors younger than his own kids has earned Oliphant a unique nickname from Rossmere’s Mundie Putter team.

“They call me Reggie Dunlop — Paul Newman’s character in the hockey movie Slapshot.”

In the movie Dunlop is an aging veteran, trying to win one last title. Might Oliphant follow the movie script and retire on top?

While he was non-committal about whether or not he would try to win a Rossmere title in his 60s, Oliphant did say he never expected to win in his 50s either.

“I am not an avid golfer,” Oliphant said.

“I can go weeks without playing.”

Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at zerucha@hotmail.com