David Gold - Golf
Golf Monthly, Part Two
Another famous name, actor Robert Powell, has recorded the only hole in one. It came on a 214-yard par-4. To the suggestion that perhaps that hole should more properly be designated a par-3, David simply responded, "It's my course." As well as the owner, he is also the captain and, if his handicap improves much below its present 24, he might even appoint himself club professional as well.
Since he's not a member anywhere else, his home-produced handicap certificate has proved useful. It allowed him on at Penina in Portugal, for example. Although they had not heard of "The Chalet Championship Golf Club", David was able to reassure them that it was an incredibly exclusive establishment.
As he gazed out of the living room/clubhouse window over his proud creation, course architect David Gold admitted to having made one mistake.
"I've had to fill in the fairway bunkers on the 560-yard 6th hole," he confessed. "You see, that's the landing strip for my Cessna aeroplane. It's bad enough when you get stuck in a bunker playing golf, but it's very much more serious when you're flying a plane."
Ten years' ago, Danny Desmond was lying in hospital recovering from major heart surgery when Nick Faldo walked in, dumped a set of clubs next to his bed and suggested he take up golf. They were old friends. Danny had been Faldo's best man, was godfather to one of his children and his company, Bride Hall Developments, had sponsored Faldo during some of his best years on the tour.
When he had recovered sufficiently, Danny went out into one of the fields on his 300-acre Hertfordshire estate and hit a few balls. He enjoyed it and decided to build a two-tiered green to practice putting. A bunker followed, then a fairway and, finally, a tee about 250 yards from the green. Did Faldo design it? 'Are you kidding," remarked Danny, "I couldn't afford his fees!"
It's bad enough when you get stuck in a bunker playing golf, but it's very much more serious when you're flying a plane
Danny's enthusiasm for golf grew with the hole, and whenever he went for a walk - or someone had annoyed him - he would drop a few balls down and hit shots onto the green. "I find it very therapeutic," he said.
Danny's golf improved and his handicap tumbled. He began happily hitting balls over a pond and onto his green. Even an errant shot that struck his wife's Mercedes dented the car more than his confidence. Having said that, he hasn't yet taken on the ultimate challenge of hitting a towering 9-iron over his 17th Century, Grade Two listed house and onto the green. Even though that would effectively take out the greenside bunker, he's unwilling to have a go.
Actor Robert Powell has recorded the only hole in one. It came on a 214-yard par-4. To the suggestion that perhaps that hole should more properly be designated a par-3, David simply responded, "Its my course."
