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I was playing golf in southeast London last weekend with a former lady captain when conversation turned to the history of our course, Shooter’s Hill Golf Club and the local area. Dick Turpin, Hitler’s doodlebugs and Bobby Locke, in no particular order, but it turns out Shooters Hill is positively steeped in history. I was captivated and immediately consulted Google on my return home. The name ‘Shooters Hill’ was first recorded in 1226… Read More
It was six years ago I walked into my editor’s office and boldly requested a work transfer to Australia. He looked at me quizzically like I’d lost the plot entirely and snapped a robust NO before returning to his newspaper. “I’m so glad you thought your answer through” I sighed. “Isn’t this supposed to be a caring sharing company that delights in offering global exchange opportunities to staff?” “Get out” he barked… Read More
So there I was. Striding down the lush green fairways of a swanky Kent golf course overlooking London’s glorious skyline. My mind wondering off as I gazed into the distance at the sleek Shard of Glass towering over the capital. The 80-story skyscraper continuing its heavenly climb. From its summit the views stretch for 50 miles in every direction. An extraordinary feat of engineering and on reflection, perhaps, in part to blame… Read More
They promised a fun day out for the whole family and Decathlon didn’t disappoint. Hosted by Geoff Swain, the amazing World Trick Shot Champ wowed audiences with a variety of mind-blowing golf stunts in the new look showroom. Decathlon’s Surrey Quays superstore was transformed into a golfing mecca this week with huge discounts on a wide range of equipment and clothing plus competitions and prizes galore for all ages. Just watch the… Read More
Get up close and personal with the current World Golf Trick Shot Champion… Interactive, educational and totally enthralling, Geoff Swain’s must see act is coming to Surrey Quays in London next Saturday. And DECATHLON is offering you the chance to win a one-two-one 30-minute session with the trick shot champ.
Calling All golfers, Are you desperate for your golfing fix but averse to tackling the fairways during the winter months or constantly faced with a Course Closed sign? If so don’t despair, I’ve found a solution. Sports giant DECATHLON has come to our rescue with what promises to be a fun-filled family day out.
Those who follow this blog will be well versed with my regular rants on the perils of winter golf. But also aware that topping my 2012 new years resolution scroll involves less whinging and more embracing the chilly elements. So you can imagine my disappointment, especially after a week of gearing myself up for the sub zero elements to be faced with a Course Closed sign. Not to be defeated, the only… Read More
I first played golf at the age of twelve and a half. It wasn’t something I volunteered for, more an enforced lesson in parental discipline following an unfortunate incident involving my mother’s beloved Fiat 124 Sports Coupe and a brick wall. After a strict two-week curfew, my reprieve came in the form of caddying for my dad. Not quite what I had in mind when celebrating my lifted sanctions, but I jumped at… Read More
There’s something about the start of the pro golf season that sparks new realms of excitement in me. Notwithstanding my juvenile crush on the G-Mac, it is more a yearning to dust down my clubs and follow in the footsteps of Tiger’s comeback after a lengthy period in hibernation. Inspired by involuntary chunks of free time and watching the golfing greats lock horns under an Abu Dhabi sun, I decided it was time… Read More
I had spent all of two plucky weeks finding my way around the News of the World when the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself. A chance to fulfill a childhood dream playing golf on the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. But how do you tell your editor you’re taking off for a few days when you’ve been employed for, well, a few days? Fortunately my resourcefulness kicked in and… Read More
BY NICK JONES, Former Chief Sports Sub, News of the World Now, as a tabloid sports hack, I’m used to people thinking we wield great power (utter rubbish but Lord Justice Leveson seems to think differently). But this was ridiculous. The lad was on his knees, in tears of gratitude. And all because of a $20 note. I hadn’t expected this reaction but, frankly, I hadn’t expected anything that had happened in the last 12… Read More
Have you ever tried to make your way through Sydney Airport with a set of golf clubs? Determined stowaways crouching in the wheel well of a 747 have more chance of a cheery G’day from scratchy officials than law-abiding holidaymakers with grubby golf shoes. A torturous 23-hour 10509-mile journey is followed by an equally tedious wait in the Welcome to Australia queue. Finally I’m met by a hat wearing badged-up Bruce who… Read More
Let’s face it, there isn’t a woman in the world who can resist the scent of a wounded boy. After a self-imposed absence from my life, Captain America finally secured a touch down this weekend hitting mind blowing golf shots the rest of us can only dream about. Now before I go on, I ought to admit my part in the troubled Tiger’s downfall. I won’t say it was my shining hour but… Read More
There aren’t many advantages to being made redundant. But after a decade of eating my mistakes, weight loss is undeniably one of them. Never having to work Saturdays again has its curious merits too. But above all, a summer donning sleeveless shirts, tailored shorts and matching peaks – all very tasteful if not a tad dated – rank up there with payday. Someone once said: “Unemployment makes early rises of us all.”… Read More
They say balance is a crucial component to any decent golf swing. That may be so, until you tackle Royal Porthcawl in mid-autumn. Put simply, a Welsh beast of a course. Faced with 50mph winds, standing upright proved more challenging than walking tall amongst the French in our annual Wryter Cup battle. On the first tee I found myself aiming directly into the choppy grey Bristol Channel. Fearing that would be the last I… Read More
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