Golf: Dave braves Hurricane to get into swing for Europe

Sep 26 2008 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

A HURRICANE failed to deter a golfer with the use of only one arm from taking to the course at a major tournament in America.

A week before the cream of the world’s golfers battled for the Ryder Cup in Valhalla, Dave Waterhouse flew out to Louisville, Kentucky, with 11 other European players to challenge for the sport’s one-armed alternative, the Fightmaster Cup.

Like their more famous counterparts, Team Europe lost to North America, by 19½ points to 8½, but that did not stop Dave enjoying himself.

“It was the most wonderful experience of my life,” said Dave, who is a member of Upton-by-Chester Golf Club. “We were treated like kings. The course was one of the best I’ve played on in my life. It was immaculate.”

With flights booked for the following day, the inaugural three-day tournament at the Cardinal Club in Louisville had to be completed on Sunday, September 14.

So not even winds gusting at up to 75mph – the remains of Hurricane Ike which battered the USA earlier this month – were enough to suspend play.

“We had to play in it – it was great!” said Dave, a bar worker from Little Sutton. “They wouldn’t have played it in the Ryder Cup but we had to because we were coming home the next day.”

Dave’s colleagues and friends at the pub where he works, the Ellesmere Arms, held a charity race night, raising £700 including the money needed for him to enter. And Dave’s friend Terry Woodley, also a member at Upton, joined him as caddy.

The sportsmanship exhibited at the tournament was exemplified during Dave’s singles match when his American opponent, David Hensley, called a penalty stroke against himself on the 18th green to leave the match all- square.

Dave was beaten in the fourball and the alternative shot rounds but came away from his trip with nothing but happy memories.

“I’ve never felt so good,” he said. “It was the most wonderful feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”

Dave now plans to try to qualify for 2010’s event at Celtic Manor Golf Club, Newport.