Keith Macdonald ended his 22-year association with Goodwood today to become a full time tournament player at the ripe old age of 52.

Many over-50s think of retirement in other walks of life. But Macdonald, embarking on his third season on the European Seniors Tour, has no regrets about ceasing to remain a club pro after 34 years, squeezing in the odd tourney between hours of teaching and tending to the needs of members.

And can you blame him? In three weeks time, Keith will be teeing-off at Montego Bay, Jamaica for the opening tournament of the season to be followed in quick succession by similar examinations in Barbados and Tobago.

Very few professions allow an opportunity for members to be re-born in such a way that they can enrich themselves, thus providing for the days when high-level competition is beyond them.

Macdonald did better than most on the Southern PGA circuit, was a regular in the Sussex PGU and played well over 100 pro-am tournaments.

In his first two years on the Seniors Tour, he pocketed £133,376 and won the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship.

Last season, Keith, 13th in the Order of Merit, earned over £62,000 from 19 starts and his decision to leave Goodwood was fuelled by an urge to finish this year in the six-figure bracket.

Goodwood has also changed tack. After 110 years of being run by the members, it is now controlled by Golf Resorts International on behalf of the estate landlord, the Earl of March.

The operators are a parent company of Japanese giant Kosaido, owners of 25 courses world wide.

There has been a change of title, it is now The Goodwood Club and interviews for Macdonald's successor are currently in progress.

Past Goodwood captains gave Keith a fitting send-off dinner when he was presented with a painting of the clubhouse. The artist, Ken Hammond, is a Goodwood member.

Since the changes made under the terms of the new lease there have been resignations and some defectors have joined Bognor.

It is the end of an era for a famous club and Keith could not say his goodbyes without the odd pang or two.

"I have enjoyed a very happy association but now I am looking forward to what I enjoy most, playing.

"The golf club is now a commercial concern rather than a non-profit making members' club and that means some loss of atmosphere but that is the way of the world.

"I am looking for an attachment with a club but nothing has been sorted out yet. I was sorry to leave and know that the members were a little surprised and disappointed when they heard of my decision."

As Keith and wife Janet, his greatest supporter, live at Elmer he will not be far away when the Tour schedule permits.

But, for the next seven months, Keith will again be pursuing the golden oldies crock of gold while somebody else minds the shop.

Doug Arnold, of Copthorne, who defends his English Seniors championship at Frilford Heath on June 4 to 6, has again been selected to represent his country.

Doug is in the three-man team to play in the European Seniors Championship at Golf De Chantico, Biarritz ,the week after the English event.