The (Super)Man from Ascension Island

In which tribute is made to Mike Burton, born on a island with no indigenous population and upon which lies the 'worst golf course in the world'.

Michael Burton 'Mike'

13th January 1944 - 30th April 2025

Life, from time to time, places some memorable characters in our path.

They wont all be your cup of tea, but the ones that are, the interesting, funny, generous, rascally, maverick ones, they're a gift.

If you're really fortunate, circumstances allow you to make a connection and the gift keeps on giving.

Their sphere of friends and family become connected with yours.

They become a part of your own personal Venn Diagram of bonhomie and good times.

Mike Burton was one of those people.

Not just for me, but for hundreds of others.

I don't personally know all the said 'hundreds' but I know enough of his family and friends, and of the affection with which he is held at the Bahrain RFC, to know that my view of Mike is widely shared.

He was a special guy.

'Superman' in fact, as his rugby family would testify...

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?...

Ok so he couldn't really fly, and I never once saw him head off to a phone box to 'suit up' but Mike was definitely something of a hero.

And a legend at Bahrain RFC.

Legend : an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field

He was definitely that at BRFC.

Legend : a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated

He definitely told plenty of those, wherever he went.

The man liked a good yarn, and in Mike's company you'd best charge your glass and make yourself comfy because tall tales take time a'tellin.

But Mike lived one of those lives. The more implausible a story might sound, the truer it was likely to be.

And, very definitely authenticated, is that Mike was instrumental in moving Bahrain RFC to it's current home.

It was a colossal, four year, undertaking on top of his day job.

The thirty year anniversary of BRFC at Club 634, Road 7119, Block 571, Janabiya, Saar will be celebrated in September 2025.

Having visited the Club in the early years at Janabiya (1999) and again in 2022 I was impressed to see just how much the place has developed into a truly multi-sport and hospitality venue. Home - Bahrain Rugby Football Club

The Club's own website rightly boasts of 'legendary hospitality' and the provision of 'a home away from home for a huge expatriate community'.

Mike would approve those sentiments.

And on the field?

The legend grew and grew.

245 gaps for the Bahrain Golden Oldies is an astonishing number, never likely to be surpassed.

It's testament to the longevity of his playing career and his passion for the game and the craic.

He strapped on his boots well passed the age of 70...often at hooker. Remarkable.

In recent years Mike told of his desire to get to 250 caps.

'I'm not sure if we can make it happen but I'm hoping my 250th match can take place on Ascension'.

Sadly any such plans were dashed on the the twin rocks of advancing age and an Olympian level of logistics.

But have no doubt. If anyone could have persuaded the RAF to fly a couple of teams out, put on a game of rugby and host the mother of all piss ups, Mike was the man.

I'm not even sure if they've got a rugby pitch on Ascension Island but apparently, somewhere among the barren lava flows and craters, is the 'world's worst golf course'.

I can't verify that because I've never been, and while research suggests the Ascension Government's own website used to make this claim, I'm just not convinced.

Sure, One Boat Golf Club in Georgetown isn't very long.

But if you look at the Club's Facebook page (20+) One Boat Golf Club, Ascension Island | Facebook they seem to be generating heaps of fun, competition and camaraderie from the 4889 yards, Par 67 course.

Mike wasn't a golfer but he'd have been right at home at a club like that.