English golfer Phil Golding tried hard to force his way back into contention for the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open at The Celtic Manor Resort today, then admitted he was indebted to one of the support services on the Tour – Screen4Life – for early detection of skin cancer.
Golding, who won the Wales Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl the last time it was played in 2013, shot a level par 70 in the second round of this week’s event over the Roman Road course to chase overnight leaders Miguel Angel Martin and Denis O’Sullivan.
He then admitted that, had it not been for the presence of Screen4Life at a tournament in 2012, he would not have known that he has a melanoma on his left leg – and that a new one on his right leg had been discovered only this week at Celtic Manor.
Golding, 52, from Hertfordshire, explained: “It was back in 2012, not long after I turned 50 and became eligible for the European Senior Tour, that I noticed that Screen4Life were on site at a tournament and I decided to get checked out.
“I never for a minute expected any problems, but I was immediately given a referral to see my GP. That, in turn, led to me visiting a dermatologist in London, who confirmed that I had a BCC – Basal Cell Carcinova. I finished that season in Mauritius and went to get the growth cut out over the winter. It was a relief to know that the Senior Tour can provide such an invaluable service to our players, who have been exposed to the sun for 30 to 40 years.”
Golding added that another BCC had been identified on his right leg during a consultation at Celtic Manor on Wednesday, and he intends getting that removed in due course.
“I am deeply indebted to the Screen4Life team, who have helped educate me and my fellow Senior Tour professionals on the potential for skin cancers among golfers.”
Nick Marchant, from Screen4Life, said: “Golfers can expect to be exposed repeatedly to direct sunlight during their careers, especially on their ears, neck, face and forearms. We always say that early detection can save lives and that using factor 30+ sunscreen on the sensitive areas can reduce the chance of skin cancer.”
