John Kennedy – winner of The R&A Senior Amateur at Walton Heath and the Scottish Senior Men’s Open at Montrose – on the secrets to his success, what it’s like to become a national champion, and what the future holds
Golfers at every level enjoy periods of success – from a week of greatness in club golf to years of prolonged success on tour.
For John Kennedy, success has come in waves throughout more than 40 years of elite amateur golf. While he found success locally and as a Durham county player – becoming Durham’s most-capped men’s county player with 109 appearances and winning multiple county championships, including the strokeplay in 1994 and the matchplay in 1996 and 2021 along with numerous scratch titles – turning 55 has opened the floodgates and given him the opportunity to reach the top of the game on the international stage for the first time.
While John – a compliance manager for the Automobile Association (AA), which he has been part of for his entire 40-year career – admits he has been building up to playing elite amateur senior golf for the last seven years, his debut season has been quite remarkable with wins in the Scottish Senior Men’s Open at Montrose and The R&A Senior Amateur at Walton Heath.
“I’ve been excited to turn 55 for a while, which is a strange thing to say for most people,” says John. “England seniors’ captain Andrew Atkinson invited me to become part of the squad when I was 54 and that inspired me to work hard to represent England one day.
“I’ve been a county player at men’s and then senior level for a very long time, but representing my country would be a whole other level.”
With his sights set on impressing the national selectors this season, John planned a schedule north and south of the border. He also included events closer to home and time to represent his home club – Consett & District – where he has been a member for 51 years.
“I knew I was playing well going into the season, and winning the Northumberland & Durham Inter-County Foursomes for Consett with Mark Bonser really got the ball rolling.
“I’ve not been surprised by playing well, though I have been surprised by how comfortable I’ve felt pitching up at national events for the first time. That might be down to being a bit older, but it’s also thanks to the welcome you get at these events – they’re so nice to be part of and the guys you play with, from all over the world, are fantastic.
“It’s a joy to play in these events, but it’s even better when you play well.”
Following a T19 finish in the English Senior Men’s Stroke Play Championship at Woodhall Spa in June, John has been in incredible form.
“Good golf and good results don’t always link up, but I’ve been lucky to have those in sync this summer,” he adds. “I’ve always played better with something on the line and having found some confidence in my approach at Woodhall Spa, I’ve played well ever since.”
That approach – understanding that he doesn’t need to hit perfect golf shots to win, but instead be patient and avoid destructive shots – has unlocked a new level for John.
In his first Scottish Senior Men’s Open at Montrose, John holed a 30ft birdie putt on the penultimate hole to setup victory with rounds of 67, 70 and 72 for a four-under par total and a two-shot win over Glasgow Golf Club’s John Laurie.
“I was playing great going into Montrose, had received plenty of advice to stay out of the bunkers, and knew I’d enjoy the test of plotting myself around with my brother, Gary, on the bag,” he says. “I set a goal to build scores on the front nine, which was downwind all week, then hold onto them on the back nine coming back into the wind.
“The opening tee shot is so intimidating, with bunkers everywhere, but driver took them out of play and I hit a great first shot. That settled me into the round, then I made five birdies in a row from two to six. There’s no better feeling in a tournament and while I hit a bumpy patch in the middle, I made eagle on 16 to finish four under-par.”
John backed up his opening round with a one under-par 70 and gave himself a chance to finish well on Sunday. Having trailed by as many as six shots on the final day, he stuck to his gameplan and was in position to strike on the back nine.
“The last day was so windy and I knew it would be tough for the whole field. I played super after we turned back into the wind.
“I could have picked an easier place to be in contention in a national event for the first time mind! The 17th at Montrose – which has out of bounds right, gorse left and a narrow green at the end of a 400-yard-plus par four – is so tough. I stuck to the plan, hit a good one-iron followed by a super five-iron to 30ft. After John came up short, Gary and I had the same read for my birdie putt and it felt like time for one go in – which it did. When John missed his par putt, I had a two-shot lead heading to the 18th tee. After a lovely tee shot, I knew I could handle it from there.”
His first national title in the bag, John admits he had one thing still on his mind.
“I knew what was in front of me all week and I was nervous as a good performance put me one step closer to playing for England.
“My gameplan was so important to getting it done in the last round and I was proud of sticking to that, even when I was quite far back.
“To win with Gary by my side was brilliant. We had a great week in Scotland – enjoying a couple of beers in the hot tub after each round and making the most of what turned out to be a fantastic week.”
Returning home to Consett, John won his 14th club championship before adding the Durham Seniors’ Championship trophy to his 2025 collection – shooting a 36-hole score of two under-par to lead the field at Ryton.
Next came the biggest individual event circled on his calendar – his first R&A Senior Amateur at Walton Heath with his partner, Louise, caddying for him.
“I knew where the big ones were throughout the season, and my first R&A event was always a massive opportunity,” he says.
“The old and new courses at Walton Heath are amazing and I put together a solid gameplan for both. They’re tight, but there are some long holes too – they’re a complete test.
“The omens were good all week. I practised beside a banner with Trevor Foster on it, the last English winner of the Senior Amateur who sadly died last year; and Bob, the starter, had been a member of Whickham and was looking out for me each morning.”
Off the back of three wins, John’s confidence was high and he opened with a two under-par round of 70. Rounds of 66 and 68 followed as he setup a commanding lead going into the final round.
“There were nerves throughout the week, but I knew how well I was playing and built my scores around the plan each day. Teeing off with a seven-shot lead on the final day – in the opposite wind to the one we’d had all week – I knew 74 or 75 would be a great score. I played well, turned at level-par for the day, and knew it was mine to lose from there.
“I birdied both par fives on back nine but hit a couple of poor tee shots. With the big lead, I just focused on getting back into position, taking double-bogeys out of play, and being sensible – which I did perfectly.”
A composed, incredibly sensible 73 gave John a seven-shot victory and saw him earn a place in golfing history alongside North East-based R&A amateur champions including Jess Baker (2022), Garrick Porteous (2013), Graeme Storm (1999), David Curry (1986) and Gordon Clark (1964). He also earned a place in the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale and the opportunity to tee it up in the US Senior Amateur Championship at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas.
“Winning an R&A event is a brilliant experience,” adds John. “While I enjoyed every minute of it, there was also this massive feeling of relief – relief that I’d paid back the trust Andrew had in me when he asked me to be part of the England squad two years ago.
“I knew everything that was on the line, but it never phased me. Winning is hard and my mind didn’t waver from the task in front of me.”
Having already had a busy summer, John’s calendar got a lot fuller after his win at Walton Heath.
“I’ve always had a busy job, which I love, and a busy lifestyle, but this year has been another level,” he says. “It just keeps getting busier – though it does mean I don’t have time to overthink.
“Louise has been so supportive, and I’ve had help from friends so I can make the most of these opportunities. The encouragement from Consett, Durham and all over the world has been brilliant.”
John has now set his sights on success in an England shirt – should he be selected to represent his country for the first time later this year.
“I’m playing as well as I have in my life,” he adds. “There’s no secret ingredient, I guess I’m just comfortable with my own game, understand it, and get the best out of it as often as I can. I don’t do anything half-hearted, and I’m lucky to have stayed fit and injury-free.
“I have my fingers crossed that I’ll be selected to represent England. If I can do that, the next goal will be to keep representing my country for as long as I can.
“From there, survival is the next biggest priority! There’s a lot of golf and travel ahead, but there’s no better way to spend your mid-50s!”
