TOM HAYES
GOLF
By TOM HAYES
IT is not often that someone with the name ‘Lord’ in their title makes their way into the Latrobe Valley.
English cricketing royalty graced the Traralgon Golf Course last week, when Lord Ian Botham came to town.
When it became aware that Botham was doing a Sportsman Night at Woodside during the same week, event co-ordinator at the Traralgon Golf Club, Lindsay Chard, thought it would be a good idea to do the same in Traralgon.
He contacted Botham’s manager and before he knew it, the Traralgon Golf Club would be hosting a Sportsman Night, the day before he jetted off to Woodside.
Before the night at the Golf Club, Botham joined a group of golfers for a round – his first time on the course of Traralgon.
Botham arrived just after midday, setting up his clubs on the cart before meeting the lads.
In his group were Traralgon Tennis Association president, Darryl Higginbotham; Traralgon Tennis Association Club captain, Graham ‘Woofa’ Charlton and Simic’s Betta Home Living managing director, John Simic.
Upon meeting the lads, a sense of camaraderie was already in the air.
Despite only having knee-replacement surgery in mid-October last year, it didn’t seem to play much affect on the way he struck the ball.
Botham’s constant updates on his post-operation recovery on Twitter made me feel as if I should’ve known that was the case.
He only just played his first round of golf since his knee replacement on January 22, two days before coming to Traralgon.
As we walked the course, allowing him to play a few holes to get settled in, The Express was lucky enough to grab a few words from the man himself.
“First an foremost, how could you refuse an invitation to play on a golf course which looks absolutely magnificent,” Botham said.
“I’ve been down this way before, but I’ve never actually stopped in Traralgon…so it’s my first time actually being in the town.”
Botham was reminded of a story of himself and great Australian cricketer, Allan Border, about the two going to a few pubs on their way through the town.
Being the man he is, Botham has played golf with people all around the world, from professionals, teammates and even former opponents.
“I’m very lucky, I’ve played with some great players,” Botham said.
He listed a few including John Daly and Ian Woosnam.
“The list is so long,” he added.
“I think the only person I haven’t played with – I caddied for Ian Woosnam when he was playing with Jack Nicklaus, and Jack was a remarkable man, that’s probably as near as I’d get to playing with my hero.”
Botham spoke on his relationship with the late, great Australian cricketer, Shane Warne too, describing their relationship as “close”.
“I was with him only a few days before he passed away, I went to England and he went out to Thailand,” Botham said.
“Whenever I come into Melbourne, I always ring up his dad, Keith, and we go and have a beer and just reminisce.”
On the recently-aired documentary series: Allan Border: My Story, there was a part where Botham gifted Border with a bat, after Border struggled with form.
“I gave him my bat that I didn’t like so he could have it, it wasn’t going anywhere!” Botham said.
“He got 70-odd the next day and that went down really well with the England teammates.”
He recalls his favourite Ashes memories to be “every time that England beat Australia”, even when he isn’t playing he says “it still gets the juices pumping”.
Aside from playing cricket, Botham dabbles in commentary, working with a number of different programs.
“Working with Triple M is a bit different,” he said.
“I’ve known JB (James Brayshaw) forever, Punter (Ricky Ponting), Merv the Swerve (Merv Hughes), some good guys in that box.
“Completely (different vibe), that’s why I like it.
“I enjoyed working with Channel Seven last year, but the result was awful, England were pathetic, but I’m looking forward to coming back in a couple of years’ time.”
Speaking on the upcoming Ashes series later this year, Botham gave a bold prediction as to who would win.
“I think England will win, they’re on a crest of a wave at the moment,” he said.
“Australia are going to play four games back-to-back in India, then come straight to England to play five (Test matches), which I think is a nonsense, they’ll get what they deserve!”
As we wrapped up, Botham spoke on his love for the countryside and how he prefers it to other places in the world.
“It’s beautiful…I like it down here, I’m a country boy, so for me being out in the rural areas is much more enjoyable,” he said.
Later that night, the Traralgon Golf Course hosted a sold-out event, filling the room with faces.
Chard simply said it was a “great night” that “went off”.
All together: John Simic, Darryl Higginbotham, Leon Hammond, Lindsay Chard, Lord Ian Botham, Rod Loader, Graham Charlton and Kendra Flack. photographs tom hayes
Dusting off the cobwebs: Lord Ian Botham played at Traralgon Golf Club recently.
