JUST as he was getting ready to try to qualify for the Senior European Tour late last year, golfer and UBP candidate Kim Swan had to put his clubs in the closet and pound the pavements in an effort to win a seat in the House of Assembly.

And after thoroughly canvassing the voters in St. George's West, Mr. Swan came away a victor.

But the former Senator obviously still harboured his dream of playing with the best senior golfers in Europe and was planning to do so . . . until he was elected leader of the UBP earlier this year.

"Sometimes life throws things at you and you have to make a decision," he said this week.

"And while I still love my golf and I am playing, I am concentrating on serving the people of Bermuda."

Maybe at a later date, if circumstances change, Mr. Swan will go back to hitting ball after ball after ball to get ready for European Senior Tour qualifying.

Mr. Swan is the only Bermudian to ever play on the European Tour, having competed in the early 1980s.

A few years ago he realised he was approaching 50 years old and opportunities would open up for him on the now lucrative Senior Tour and he also realised that competitive instinct, inbred in professional athletes, was still there.

So he knuckled down and lost weight ¿ a lot of weight. And he also started practising his game a lot.

"I was entered into the Senior European Tour qualifying school which was going to take place in mid-November ¿ and then the election was called. I wanted to focus on one thing and that was being elected to the House of Assembly," he said. "One thing I realised when I played professional golf is that you have to focus on one thing ¿ you have to give it your undivided attention. In October I was concentrating on my golf and getting ready for Tour School.

"I had some major events I had to prepare for and then the writ (for the election) was dropped. I realised it was going to be a very important election and that I was well placed in the community to get consideration. I canvassed and campaigned every day."

After he won his seat Mr. Swan still had hopes of competing on the Senior Tour.

And then he was named party leader.

"That changed everything," he said. "I had hoped to balance my two professions ¿ my public service and also being a professional golfer.

"But this new role as Opposition Leader has provided little time to be able to consider my given profession ¿ golf. But I have managed to get out on the course the last few days and I am doing a little teaching. I have to have some balance in my life.

"Qualifying for the Senior Tour is on hold right now. My professional aspirations have to take a back seat so I can have the opportunity to do something for my country and I do not have a problem with that.

"If an opportunity (to play professionally again) offers itself at a later date I will welcome it. But at the present time being Opposition Leader is the best way I can serve Bermuda."

A few years ago Mr. Swan realised his weight was getting out of control and with his ambitions of trying for the Senior Tour he realised he would have to lose many pounds. And he did ¿ and those pounds are still off.

"Five years ago I was 272 pounds and I went to see the doctor. I am now 208 pounds. I still have to work at it and I have an exercise routine to make sure those pounds stay off."

But in his new role as party leader Mr. Swan says he really has to watch it.

"I go to more functions and luncheons these days but I keep a close eye on what I eat," he said.

And he wants to see people in Bermuda in general get in better shape.

"We have to be honest with ourselves ¿ there are many people in Bermuda who could use a lot more exercise and be more careful of what they eat," he added.

For more see Sport, Page 15