LONDON FOOTBALL LEGENDS HAIL POWERPLAY GOLF

Thumbs-up for golf’s new two flag format from Ferdinand, Redknapp, Dixon and more

IMAGE: JAMIE REDKNAPP PLAYS TO THE BLACK FLAG

A special charity golf day in London in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer gave some of England’s best-known footballers the chance to play PowerPlay Golf for the first time – and they declared themselves big fans of golf’s breakthrough 2-flags-a-hole format.

Former QPR, Tottenham and England forward and keen golfer, Les Ferdinand, who is a big supporter of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, was the driving force behind the day at Playgolf Northwick Park.

“I wanted to do something a bit different to the standard golf day, and PowerPlay seemed like the perfect answer. I really enjoyed the format, it really makes you think about each shot and about when to go for it – I didn’t always get it right today!,” said Ferdinand.

His former Spurs colleague, Jamie Redknapp, was in full agreement. “Golf’s hard enough for me as it is, but I really enjoyed it,” laughed the 9-handicapper. “It’s easy to follow and makes a real change from normal golf. I’d definitely look forward to playing it again.”

PowerPlay Golf was first played at Playgolf Northwick Park in Spring 2007 and on Saturday, June 30th, the first qualifying round for the London PowerPlay Golf championships will take place – with entry places still available.

PowerPlay Golf has been designed by successful Walker Cup Captain Peter McEvoy to reduce the length of time required to play golf. It gives a complete competitive and strategic golf experience in half the time of a full round of golf.

It is pencilled-in to be trialled at more than 100 British golf clubs this Summer.

Played over 9 holes, it is exactly like golf in the popular Stableford format but with one key exception: each green has two flags, an easy white and a difficult black.

From the tee, every golfer must pick the tough black flag three times in the round; if they score net birdie or better on the black flag, they double their points for the hole. All other outcomes are scored exactly as normal Stableford golf.

And according to ex-Arsenal star Lee Dixon, PowerPlay Golf actually helps your handicap, too. “What I like about it is that it’s so good for your short game,” said the 3-handicapper. “The black flag really focuses the mind and makes you think about your decision-making. I would definitely play it again.”

Les Ferdinand and Breakthrough Breast Cancer were thrilled with the outcome of the day at Playgolf Northwick Park, which culminated in a one-off auction in aid of the charity. The most prized lot was an England shirt signed by the team that drew with Brazil in the first international match at the new Wembley, just a pitching wedge away from the fairways of Playgolf Northwick Park.

PowerPlay Golf Contact: Peter McEvoy, PowerPlay Golf Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1684 291345 Email: golf@powerplay-golf.com
Web: www.powerplay-golf.com