David Gold - Golf
Golf Monthly
It's every golfer's dream. A private facility where you can practise and play whenever you want. No green fees, dress code or four-ball in front.
With nine greens, 13 tees and 18 holes, the layout of the course on the 50-acre estate of David Gold is somewhat unconventional. Which is not altogether surprising, since David, a hugely successful and decidedly unconventional businessman, designed it himself.
It started off as a modest green back in 1991 upon which genteel putting contests took place before tea and scones on Sunday afternoons. "Then someone brought a wedge along," recalled David. Since pitching and putting proved more challenging and enjoyable, a tee was constructed and the opening hole was created. A second par-3 followed and David, a talented footballer in his youth, was hooked on golf.
Each hole is named after one of his business interests. The first, "Ann Summers", carries the name of his retail chain. "St Andrews" has nothing to do with a certain links course in Scotland, but has been christened in honour of the home ground of his beloved Birmingham City, of which he is chairman. While the rather exposed 14th is called "The Sport", after the newspaper he co-owns.
Although the course consists mainly of par-3s, there is a smattering of par-4s and a couple of challenging par-5s. Standard scratch is a rather generous 66 and the course record of 73 is held by Jasper Carrott.
