A passion for fashion

The game of golf may not always have enjoyed a reputation for being at the cutting edge of fashion. First Greg Norman, aka the 'Great White Shark', created his own golf range but it took the arrival of style guru Ian Poulter to put the pizzazz into the royal and ancient game, writes Mike Wilson.

Poulter is one of the star attractions at this month's inaugural BD873,000 Volvo Golf Champions tournament at the Royal Golf Club, and is a man who is as comfortable on the catwalk as he will be on the fairways, tees and greens of Riffa Views this week.

The flamboyant Englishman, 35, is one of the most erudite golfers on the circuit and is famed for his Claret Jug trousers at the Open Championship, the so-called 'David Beckham of the links' created his own clothing label almost four years ago.

"I was a fussy dresser when I was little, and very opinionated about what I wore," he explained. "At an early age I'd go out and earn money so I could buy my own clothes.

"I'd say I'm fashionable - I've always been a little bit different," insists the man who has been dubbed 'the pink panther'.

"My dad Terry was always a snappy dresser and a single-figure handicap golfer, my mum used to work in fashion - running a retail store - so, the colour co-ordination thing came from her," says the man who created his own fashion brand, IJP Design in 2007.

Few will forget what many saw as his fashion faux pas, the patriotic Union Jack trousers at the 2004 Open Championship, his Claret Jug pants the following year; the British press referred to the current world number eight as, 'an attention-seeking prat,' and, 'little more than mouth and trousers'.

But, with 10 top titles worldwide and career earnings (only on the golf course) in excess of $21 million (BD8 million), Poulter has the last laugh, his biggest victory to date, the WGC Accenture Match Play earning him $1.3 million (BD490,000), won, appropriately dressed, in all-pink ... 'Poulter Pink.'

"I began sketching designs as I toured the world, on letterheads and airline coasters, dreaming of the day I could wear my own creations," reflects the man making his competitive debut in Bahrain.

Poulter, who has even sported the strip of his beloved Arsenal FC on course, added: "The IJP brand philosophy is to 'lead with the legs' by designing the trousers first and then co-ordinating the outfit around them."

Fresh from his second taste of Ryder Cup glory in three appearances at Celtic Manor late last year, 'Poults' has no problems being categorised alongside sport's other celebrity 'clothes horse', David Beckham. "He always looks cool no matter where he is - whether he's out with the kids at a basketball game or at an evening event, he always looks sharp."

Poults even has his own tartans, the Poulter Tartans registered with and authenticated by the Scottish Register of Tartans, but none of his 10 European Tour titles have been won north of the border.

"I designed some tartan trousers for my first collection as that's what I'm famous for," said the Florida-based player, known for his sense of humour as well as fashion sense. He joked: "Everybody keeps telling me I should wear a kilt on the golf course - I'm not sure about that as it'd be a bit dodgy if it was very windy."

Meanwhile, perhaps Poulter might have a potential rival for the title of golf's 'King of Chic'? European Tour Rookie of the Year for 2010, 17-year-old Italian Mattteo Manassero, is already cutting-a-dash, resplendent in his sponsored RLX Collection from Ralph Lauren.

So, just picture the scene, this Sunday afternoon, the Royal Golf Club Bahrain, final day of the maiden Volvo Golf Champions, the final pairing, golf's finest fashionistas Poulter and Manassero, European Tour Rookie of the Year in 2000 and 2010 respectively, going head-to-head not just for the for the big money first prize, but also the title of best-dressed dandy on the golf course, the Beau Brummel of Bahrain.