Celebrity Pro-Ams

[HomerJSimpson]

I came across a re-run of one of the old BCC pro-celebrity golf shows from the late 70's and it got me thinking about celebrities I've shared a golf course with.

I've only been fortunate enough to play with one celebrity, Tom O'Connor the Liverpudlian comedian and I must say he was one of the nicest most down to earth guys I've met. He cracked jokes the whole way round but never once needed to use a swear word or be offensive to tell cracking yarns and tall tales.

Other dealings include James Bolam who use to be a member at Wimbledon Common golf club in the early 1980's when I was the assistant and I sold him a pair of shoes for a trip he was making to Scotland. Turned out he was playing in the BBC TV celebrity pro-am series and the shoes appeared on screen!!

I've also been lucky enough to caddy for Bernard Cribbins (voice of the Wombles). He was another lovely bloke who didn't take himself or his golf too seriously but spent hours entertaining the crowds and was especially good with the kids doing all the Womble voices.

I also caddied for the late Godfrey Evans the former England wicketkeepr. He was a lovely old gent but did enjoy a G&T. The course had a numer of hospitality marquees on the way round and he took full advantage. So much so in fact that by the time we got to the 16th it was all he could do to address the ball let along play a shot. Very funny man.

I'd love to hear what close encounters you have had with celebrities through your golfing exploits.

Happy golfing

Homer

 

[chipin1]

I played in a putting competition against Vernon Kay. He genuinely loves his golf and provided some quite amusing banter

 

[Trueblue]

I played a round with jamie Redknapp last year, through a mate of a mate, and he was a great bloke. Very relaxed, happy to talk about anything (including his lovely wife Louise!) and a good golfer...helped that i beat him and he took it well though!

 

[saintdavid]

Mark Williams,the snooker player,was playing in the group in front of me at St Pierre,looked a decent golfer too.

 

[Teetotal]

I was lucky enough to play on a corporate golf day with Neil Jenkins, the Welsh rugby player who holds the all time points record for Wales. He was very down to earth and a pleasure to play with. I enjoyed his stories of the British Lions tours he took part in with these being the most memorable of his many career highs. As for the golf he was playing off a pretty high handicap (some might say too high) and he came in with 42 stableford points and was the highest points scorer that day too.

 

[madandra]

I was 7 years old and sitting at the side of the 4th green at Colville Park G.C. when Kenny Dalgleish played a lovely shot at the par 3 .... The ball rolled up and hit the stick for an ace. When he came down to the green I said 'great shot' and his reply shocked me, he said



'YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN THE EFFIN FLAG OUT FOR ME,
THAT WID A WENT IN'

 

[thebelgie24]

ive spoken to Jack nicklaus when i was 10 but my old man played with sean connery at Lundin Links

 

[Dave3498]

I played in a pro/am with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope a few years ago now. They were very disruptive and completely put me off my game. I had to tell them to shut up in the end.

 

[MacMachattie]

Ha ha. Good one Dave3498.

Celebrity pro-ams just aren't what they used to be. I say bring back the good old days of Corbett, Tarbuck and Tim Brooke-Taylor.

I played a round with Scottish rugby legend Gavin Hastings last year. He was a little disappointed that I could comfortably out-hit him.