A GRANDFATHER who has been helping his family over the last few years was treated to a round of golf at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort.

Tony Pocock, 52, who is chairman of Affected By Cancer Swindon, enjoyed 18 holes of golf with his friend, Jason Atherton, at the golf club in Calne this week.

Tony has been supporting his wife Iris, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and breathing problems, and his niece, who suffers from dyspraxia and learning difficulties.

Tony also helped to look after his father, who had been seriously ill since December 2011, until he died in January this year. Tony, who lives just off Whitworth Road, said: “It was a lovely day at Bowood.

“A treat like this really helps because you can just get out for a day and forget about everything as you go around.”

Tony was a golf pro for EGTF European Golf Teaching Federation, but couldn’t further his career abroad because Iris became ill and he wanted to look after her. He also visited his father in Thatcham at least twice a week all year before he died.

Iris and Tony have been looking after their niece, 19-year-old Kirsty Finley, whose mother died about 10 years ago, since January 2011 after they located her via Facebook.

Iris said: “She was living in hostels for the best part of a year before she came down from Edinburgh.

“Being a vulnerable young adult, we accepted her into our home. We didn’t know at that she suffers from dyspraxia and learning problems.

“Although she is a good young adult and her difficulties, she needs help and encouragement daily.

“This has added to the pressures for both of us, and sometimes gets extremely difficult.” Bowood’s head golf pro, Paul McLean, said: “Bowood was delighted to welcome Tony Pocock with his guest for a round of golf on our 18-hole championship course followed by lunch.

“I am sure the pair of them will have gained a real sense of what makes our course so special.” Golf Monthly magazine ranked Bowood in 36th position in its Top 50 Stay & Play Resorts listing, so Wiltshire golfers have our all-weather golf course right on their door step with the chance to play here all year round without having to travel far.’’