Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Hi everyone! Who out there loves a good game of golf? Well, I do too, and last weekend I was fortunate enough to participate in the annual Island Classic Golf Tournament, which is organised by the lovely people at the American Mission Hospital
On Friday morning (with an extremely 'up with the birds' 7.30 a.m. tee off time, I played with the Avis team. I (A big thank yo' to His Majesty King Hamad for allowing the competition to be held at this beautiful golf course).
When we finished, the marks were tallied up and we were placed third. Feeling pretty pleased with the morning's events, I grabbed a quick bite to eat and zoomed over to the BIC (Bahrain International Circuit) to film an episode of Music Mania. The atmosphere there was just brilliant, because you see, the Australian V8s were back in town!
There were lots of family fun activities put on for everyone's enjoyment including motorcycle stunt riders, stilt walkers (including a couple of friendly eight-feet tall kangaroos), bands, singers and bouncy castles. There was just so much to do for all ages!
And on the track itself was one of the most exciting motor sports in the world, those amazing beasts of cars and their fearless drivers. To watch them racing at full speed bumper to bumper is a nail-biting spectacle.
Whilst there, I interviewed loads of happy families. I also bumped into an old acquaintance (who I'd met a few years ago whilst driving in a pro-celebrity race), Garth Tander who is the current V8 World Champion.
Garth invited the camera crew and me into the garage for some photos. What's so great about these guys is how they will happily give you access to the facilities and nothing is too much bother for them. Whereas, (dare I say it) you would never be able to do anything like that with the Formula One racing teams. Anyway, it was exciting stuff and Jamie Whincup triumphed in first race. Good name that for a racing driver - Whincup!
I also chatted to Martin Whittaker, the CEO down at the circuit (did I mention that it is his 50th birthday on November 13?). I wonder if that's supposed to be a secret! _ Oh well, it's no secret that I can't keep a secret.
After filming my day hadn't finished because I'd promised that I would make it down to the opening of a brand new charity shop (which is situated upstairs from Tibras on Budaiya Road). All the profits go towards the welfare of needy cats and dogs. Well done to Tony (alias the 'Dogfather') for all his efforts to make this happen and also to volunteers who man the shop. It's open every Friday from 4pm til 6pm, so get down there for some great bargains - I got my daughter Hannah a life size Barbie jigsaw for just 500 fils!
The following morning I went back to the golf tournament. The team consisted of David Axtell, Barry Hobday and a newcomer to Bahrain; Oliver Brown and me. We started off like a train (that is, after David and Barry had stopped arguing over the rights and wrongs of their respective football teams Nottingham Forest and Derby County).
It was a great round of golf and lots of laughs along the way. In the end, it came down to a missed putt and we finished third - but if the putt had gone in we would have won! Perhaps I shoulsd be reading the Golf Scene tips in GulfWeekly!
Don't you just love a good 'but if'? I've got to say that I felt fortunate indeed to play in such a well run tournament. All my gratitude goes to everyone from the AMH, from Dr. Paul Armadin-ding-dong to all the scorers (I had Darshan {a.k.a. the Guru} for both days) and my thanks too to everyone who associated with this great event.
Till next week, keep happy
Krazy Kevin
