Fitness regimes and media training may be a modern-day phenomena in top-level golf.

But Cleckheaton professional Mike Ingham was part of a unique group in the 1960s who enjoyed an early taste of how today's top young professionals are groomed off the course as well as on it.

The 63-year-old, who marks his retirement at the end of this month with a pro-am at his club next Tuesday, was one of a select few signed up by Ernest Button.

The wealthy businessman, founder of PA Consulting Group, was desperate to see a British player triumph in the Open, which had not had a British winner since Max Faulkner in 1951.

With Faulkner as coach and manager, the "Button Boys", as they were known, lived in London and were given the type of off-course treatment which was pretty much unheard of in those days.

They were taken for special weight training, given lessons in how to make speeches, were given access to top medical care and were kitted out in expensive golf attire from some of London's top high street fashion stores.

Ingham looking forward to meeting up with fellow Button Boys Tommy Horton and Ian Clarke in the pro-am next week. Horton will be joined by fellow Ryder Cup player Brian Waites, who is also a good friend of Ingham's.

Looking back at his two years as a Button Boy, Ingham, who was only 21 at the time, said: "It certainly knocked my rough edges off.

"I remember going to doctors in Sloane Square and shopping for clothes in Savile Row. We had a Ford Zodiac to drive around in while Max had a Rolls Royce."

None of the Button boys got their hands on the Claret Jug and it was Tony Jacklin who ended the British drought at Royal Lytham in 1969.

That provided Ingham with his best Open finish when he came 28th, earning himself £275 - the sort of figure you would get for a similar position on the Europro Tour today.

He even found himself leading the Open in 1983 at Birkdale after reaching the turn at three under on the first morning.

"It was nice to see my name at the top of the leaderboard and Tom Watson's below me," said Ingham. "I wish I'd taken a photograph of it."

In a career which saw him win twice on the African Safari Tour in Zambia, Ingham's most memorable success came while playing in Palm Springs against America for Great Britain and Ireland in 1976 in the PGA Cup.

"I beat Larry Gilbert, who went on to win a seniors event. I was two down with four to play but went on to win three out of the last four holes."

He may have played at some of the most famous courses in the world but his favourite one is Notts Golf Club at Hollinwell - where his friend Waites was pro for a long time.

"I once won a big tournament there, the John Player Classic, after I'd gone out in 30."

Ingham first learned the game from Jim Wade at West Bowling, where he was a member, and from Shipley's Walter Lees before moving down south.

It was there that he received regular coaching from former Ryder Cup player Sam King, professional at Knole Park in Kent and whom Ingham rates as his biggest influence.

Contemplating retirement, he said: "I have the opportunity to go to Africa, teaching in Nigeria, while I might try coaching on cruise ships."

Long-time Cleckheaton member Ces Bloice, a Yorkshire captain for six years and England captain until last February, paid tribute to Ingham, who has been at Cleckheaton for 34 years.

"He's well thought of here and throughout the golfing industry and it's sad to see him go. He has been a great embassador for the club."

Woodhall Hills professional Warren Lockett will take over as Cleck pro in June.