And now two back-to-back articles related to the recent day at Hindhead Golf Club by EBGA 2008 Captain, Tony Shearman, who obviously enjoys his Day Job as Sports Producer for BBC Radio 5 Live….

"WHEN TONY MET SEVVIE"

You know, I'm a very lucky man; 3 lovely children (and another on the way), a lovely wife, a lovely home and a job I love.

And let's face it, a job following sport every day is not really one of the toughest jobs in the world by any stretch of the imagination.

And, if that's not enough, there's the added perk that I get to meet some of the most interesting personalities and sporting heroes.

I'll never forget my first such meeting, as an in-experienced Reporter back in the early 90's; It took place around The Cabinet Office table at Number 10 Downing Street when I had to interview the then Prime Minister, John Major, and the soon to be World Heavyweight Champion, Frank Bruno.

But, if that had been a knee-trembling, somewhat surreal, experience then meeting the legend that is Mohammed Ali was a very moving one.

It took place at the BBC Sporting Personality of the Century programme in 1999 when I sat in the front row….and I'm not ashamed to say that, as Ali stood there just yards from me clutching his trophy, I had tears in my eyes, as did many of the celebrity audience as we stood to acclaim him.

Afterwards I shook hands with the great man and he signed my invitation which now adorns my office wall here at home.

More recently I have had the fortune to meet another sporting legend….this time from the world of golf, the great Severiano Ballesteros who came into the 5 Live studios for an interview with Simon Mayo who's studio is conveniently situated adjacent to mine!

It was the day after we played The Cowdrey Shield and the day after Sevvie's team had been heavily beaten by Nick Faldo's team in the Sevvie Trophy.

"How often do you get to play?" asked Sevvie.

"Actually, I replied, I played in a tournament only yesterday but, I didn't play well at all."

"Funnily enough, I was involved in a tournament yesterday, he said, and my team played SHIT too!"

 Sevvie then went on to tell me how, in his young days as a caddy, he used to creep back onto the golf course after the Caddy Master had gone home, to practice his own game….in the dark!  That's how he got his great touch so, maybe there's still hope for all us blind golfers.

"Maybe I choose you as a Wild Card next time.  That'll get Faldo thinking" he said before signing one of his books for me, his latest autobiography. 

That'll make a great auction item for Hindhead, I thought.  Which leads me nicely onto……

"IF THAT'S FOR ME….DON'T ANSWER IT!"

I made my first phone call  in my bid to engage 11 celebrities for this year's Peter Alliss Blind Golf Eye-2-Eye Challenge way back in May.

Some 100 calls, texts and e-mails later we finally had a full compliment for the event at Hindhead Golf Club in Surrey on Weds 17th October…but not without a number of last-minute withdrawals and changes.

I became a nervous wreck in the days and weeks leading up to the event, jumping every time my mobile rang or an e-mail popped into the inbox, afraid it was a celebrity profusely apologising for non-attendance.

Even the day before we had a withdrawal due to a family illness but, the Watford football legend, Luther Blissett, came to the rescue and lined up alongside the likes of former England fast bowler, Angus Fraser, former European Ryder Cup Captain, Bernard Gallacher, BBC TV & Radio presenter, Clare Balding, dual-code Rugby international, Henry Paul and BBC Radio 1 DJ and 5 Live Presenter, Spoony.

The hospitality afforded to us by Hindhead and it's members was fantastic, and so was the course itself - despite the heather!   Which begs the question, "why is heather regarded as lucky?" - answers on a postcard to the Editor!

And it seemed everyone, celebrities, low handicappers and blind golfers alike all flirted with Heather at some point during the day with the winning individual score being just 34 stableford points - a lot less than is normal to win such events.

That honour though was achieved by one of our late substitutes, BBC TV Sport Presenter Dan Walker, standing in with two days notice for Mark Ramprakash who was called up, sadly not by England, but Strictly Come Dancing to rehearse a Sport Relief Special.

Dan Walker was also part of the winning team consisting of Derek & Yvonne Field and paying guests, Stuart Hopkins and Nicky Boyes, the latter completing a good day for the team by taking the Nearest The Pin prize as well!

Steve Evans was top individual Blind Golfer with 27 points with Spoony taking the honours when it came to the Longest Drive.

Spoony also made a name for himself by spending big in the auction, successfully securing both the signed Sevvie book and a 1999 Masters flag from Augusta signed by the winner, Jose Marie Olazabel..

Steve Evans bought an England Sevens Rugby shirt signed by Henry Paul and the 1987 Open flag from Muirfield, signed by Nick Faldo winning the first of his six Majors, was secured by a very generous bidder who’s name, I’m afraid, is unknown to me.

In all, the auction raised just under £1000.

Nick unfortunately was unable to join us but he sent me a very nice letter of apology which was read out by our host, Peter Alliss, at the meal.

Thanks must go to all those at Hindhead Golf Club who made it possible, to all those paying guests for their generosity, to all the celebrities who gave up their time including BBC TV & Radio Golf & Rugby Commentator, Andrew Cotter, who did a fantastic job as MC & Auctioneer, to all the EBGA members who took part and last but, certainly not least, to Jay Cookson, who rounded off a splendid Captaincy year by organising the whole event just weeks after leading England to a famous victory over Scotland.

I'll leave the final word to some of the celebrities that took part…..

"Thanks for having me. I had a great day, great company and a delightful golf course. Good luck in the future and if there is anything I can do to help, let me know" - DJ SPOONY.

" Thank you so much for inviting me. It was great fun and a wonderful day." - CLARE BALDING

" The day was a pleasure, and the course was magnificent. Many thanks and best wishes" - ANGUS FRASER

And, finally, this from Dan Walker:

" Hindhead was a brilliant setting and I can honestly say that I don't think I have enjoyed a round as much as that in a long time.  We had a really good time wandering round the heather and Derek and his wife were a delight and Stuart and Nicky were fantastic company.

The thing that struck me about Derek was that he seemed to do everything with a smile on his face.  Golf is one of the most frustrating sports you can play.  It's hard enough with 20/ 20 vision so I can only begin to imagine the pitfalls that exist for the blind golfer.  To watch Derek judging his distances by walking the greens and planning his line by feeling the undulations under his feet was incredible - I learnt a lot!  He clearly loves the sport - and enjoys it enough so that not being able to see properly can't ruin his fun.  Having said that I did catch him giggling when I shancked a 3-wood into a bin on the 13th! "

Dick’s Day

Ditchling Golf Club, Sussex.

Report by Dick Walker.

After several years of dodgy weather for the annual Texas Scramble in aid of the English Blind Golf Association, we were rewarded this year with a really lovely autumn day which, while not hot, was warm and dry.

The autumn tints were evident all round the course, and showed the planting work which had been carried recently by the Course Maintenance Committee.

There were 16 teams comprising 3 sighted golfers who accompanied 1 blind or partially sighted golfer with their guide.

It was particularly pleasant to see many golfers from so far away such as

the Hodgkinsons from Stockport in Cheshire who stayed with Ron and Steph Tomlinson overnight and found their way together. It was good to see a New Member, Jean Bolton with husband Jim from Stratford on Avon, who stayed in a local Guest House with Frances and Peter Radford. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and commitment. And that goes for all those who took the trouble to make their way to the wilds of rural Sussex. Chairman Sherridan and Mat were in evidence with the dedicated Baxters and the Shearmans, who also brought a team with them. This is a great help and both builds the numbers but also introduces new golfers to a particularly interesting and well laid

out course.

Unfortunately, there were some fall outs such as Mike and Joyce Loten and Derek and Yvonne Field, both of whom were stricken by illness in player or guide/driver.

After the golf there was a meal of Beef Cobler with soup which was prepared for less clement conditions. It all went down well and warmed the cockels or wherever it goes.

The meal was followed by the Prize-Giving, Auction and Raffle which

contributed a total for EBGA of a little under £1,500 towards the funds.

FLYING THE FLAG AT GAUDET LUCE

Report by Neil Baxter.

Secretary.

15 members of E.B.G.A. joined the members of Gaudet Luce Golf Club for the annual  flag event.   This format was used before Dr. Stableford was inspired to invent the Stableford points system during a long wait on the second tee at Wallasey Golf Club.

The round saw a very close finish with Ron Tomlinson and Neil Baxter both planting their flag on the first tee. Rather luckily Neil won on count back after Ron had had a traumatic encounter with some rough on the 17th.