Why playing on TV is lonely

Its every golfers dream to play on the European or PGA tour, having Sky Sports cameras and fans follow them around the course, as they try to clinch the trophy in the last few holes.

So what happens when playing on tour, will always just remain a dream?

For a few years I watched the Trilby Tour on TV, like millions of viewers around the UK. For those of you not familiar with the Trilby Tour, it is currently a British based Amateur competition with 9 regional qualifying events, the top 10 players from each region qualify for the Grand Final. During 2015, I made the decision that I would enter the Trilby Tour. I wanted to test myself in a regional qualifier, and hopefully a National final. The Trilby Tour is unique event, to my knowledge it is currently the only Amateur competition recorded for Sky Sports, where players of all abilities can enter.

So how did my regional qualifier go?

From Kent, it made sense to enter for the Kent Qualifier. This was held at Tudor Park in April of 2016, about 30 minutes from home. During the round I played ok, but never seemed in full control. To cut a long story short, I only managed to pick up 2 points in the remaining 3 holes. I missed out on the top 4 play off by 1 point, but qualified in the top 10. Although disappointed not to make the top 4 playoff, I had booked my place at the Grand final held at The Forest Of Arden, which was the initial goal.

The Final - One of the craziest days ever!

The Summer is in full swing and I have made it to the Forest of Arden. During my Practise round, I discovered the course is designed for ball striking and positioning, which is right up my alley.

09:30am comes round, my group are announced to the tee. The announcer explains that over 3 million people will be watching you play golf, as well as everyone present. I was called for a pre round interview in front of a Sky Sports Camera. I tried to act as if my world wasn't trying to escape from my trousers, but I don't think I succeeded. Thankfully the Interview never made it onto the episode.

Through 9 holes I was sailing, recording the best front nine scores from the early starters. I then proceeded to post 3 points in the next 4 holes (Flashback to Tudor Park). With 5 holes to go, I asked Jake (Caddy) where we stood, so we could reset and give ourselves a target. Together we felt that 11 points would give us a realistic chance of making the top 4, giving us a shot at the trophy. 2 birdies and 3 pars later we managed to post 34 points, currently sitting as the clubhouse leader. It would be another 3 hours before I was confirmed in the top 4. With the Trilby tour, at each Qualifier and world final, the top 4 scores on the day are put into a 3 hole medal shootout, to decide the champion.

If being on the first tee with 1 camera and a few spectators was nerve racking, this was a whole different world. During the 3 holes there was constantly numerous static cameras, along with handheld cameras swooping around. It's a strange feeling, I cannot remember to much of what happened around me during the 3 playoff holes. I had friends walking around with other spectators that I never saw or spoke to. I was playing in front of my biggest crowd, knowing that millions of people were going to see every shot I hit. All I can remember is me and my caddy walking the three holes, talking about life.

Being put into this situation, you can either do one of two things; be like a bunny in a set of headlights or blank out, entering a state of mind where you can control your thoughts. I ended up finishing in 2nd place, which at the time felt like another disappointment. In the bigger picture its now very easy to see it as a success, we had finished 2nd out of around 1200 entrants.

It may not have been the European or PGA Tour, but I got my chance to play in front of the Sky Sports Cameras. In front of a crowd,with my chance to win a trophy in the final few holes. If you want to watch the Sky Sports Episode on YouTube, then please use this Link. Fast Forward to 42:50 to catch the Grand Final Shootout.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about my experience of playing in front of Sky Sports Cameras. Hopefully one day you will get to experience what I went through. It is as exciting as you think!

GOC