Denis Durnian (59) receiving treatment for cancer

FROM THE PGA E-BULLETIN
Two-time PGA Professional Champion and PGA Cup player Denis Durnian has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 59-year-old European Senior Tour regular, who has survived two heart operations in the last six years, was informed of the news six weeks ago.
“I was diagnosed at the end of December and I've started treatment at the Christie Hospital," said Manchester's most enduring professional.
“I'm just going along with everything they tell me and hoping that everything will be all right.
“I was looking forward to playing in Brunei next month then Bangkok and South Africa but I'll have to hang on and see what happens. If I get the all-clear I could be back in June,” he added.
“But I've not given up playing altogether and I feel as though I'm swinging the club better than I have for a long time, although I know that when you get older the body won't function as it used to do.”
He felt no ill-effects when he
turned out in the Manchester
Alliance at Worsley this month
and intends to play in as many
fixtures as he can as long as
he feels fit enough.
"I take each day as it comes,"
said the former Northenden
professional who will be 60 in
June.
During the 1980s, he was a
prolific winner and high-profile
player within PGA circles,
which he combined with
success on the European Tour.
Durnian won the PGA
Professional Championship in
1982 and 1984 and
sandwiched those victories with
success in the PGA National
Pro-Am Championship with
amateur partner Max Brown.
He also joined forces with
Derrick Cooper in 1984 as the
duo shared the inaugural PGA
Fourball Championship.
He also featured in four PGA
Cup teams - 1981, 1982, 1984
and 1986 - winning nine and
losing nine of his matches.
At the same time he twice
narrowly missed out on Ryder
Cup selection before retiring
early to open a golf school at
Stockport which he later
moved to Heaton Park.
But the desire to return to
competitive action spurred him
to join the senior circuit 10
years ago and he made an
immediate impact, in
successive seasons finishing
second in the Order of Merit
after victories in the Wales and
Scottish Opens and Estoril
Championship.
"Those early years before my
heart attack were the best in
my career," he reflected.
"I'm disappointed to miss the
start of the season because the
month away would have done
me good," added Durnian who,
when not playing, is house dad
to his two-year old daughter
while his wife Samantha runs a
physiotherapy business from
their Chorley home.