Sportsman's love search in golf magazine

Aug 31 2008 by Pauline Holt, Sunday Sun

A SIXTY-SOMETHING golf addict and hotelier is looking for a birdie.

But despite placing a lonely hearts advert in a golfing magazine, he still has a fairway to go!

In the personal ad in the latest edition of golfer’s bible, Golf North East, John Cocker, who is “mein host” at the Riverdale Hall country house hotel in Bellingham, Northumberland, pitches himself as “a friendly, humorous, successful hotelier”.

The cultured 63-year-old old, who enjoys wine tours and fell walking, is also a keen swimmer and theatre buff who has seen Les Miserables several times.

His ad reads: “I am an exceptionally active, ex-English international sportsman who swims most days in the hotel pool.

“I am fortunate enough to own one of the North’s leading sporting hotels with cricket field, a salmon river and indoor pool.”

But the amorous Yorkshireman, who used to play football professionally for Halifax Town, says he is only interested in women younger than himself, between 45 and 55.

He says he hopes to meet someone looking for: “a meaningful relationship who would wish to join me in the quite amazing life style I lead.”

Twice-married Mr Cocker, who has four grown-up children and one still at school, separated from his Danish wife, Iben, a year ago which prompted him to start looking for love in the Classifieds.

He revealed: “So far I’ve had 14 answers. Four or five were cranks but at least eight were genuine.

“The problem was I put the ad in the magazine and before it came out I met a nurse and I have been going out with her for four or five months.

“We split up a couple of weeks ago so I decided to re-advertise.”

He said he decided on the lonely hearts ad because he has never been single before.

He was married for 17 years before meeting his Danish wife to whom he was wed for 27.

Mr Cocker, who opened the Riverdale Hall Hotel 30 years ago, said: “A friend of mine had done it and it was quite successful. I got some really good replies.”

But how will he weed out the “gold-diggers” more interested in his indoor swimming pool and salmon river than his friendly sense of humour?

He said: “I believe most people are genuine and I think I would be able to sort out the good from the bad.”

When asked about his perfect woman, he added: “Someone who likes a bit of fun and entertainment. Someone who plays golf or likes fell walking or musicals.

“The last lady didn’t do any of those but I’m just a person who really enjoys life to the full. I don’t think I’ll have much problem finding someone.

“I’ve met a few ladies who would like me to share their lifestyles . . . but I quite like the one I’ve got.”