A NEWLY appointed golf club captain marked the first tee-off in his new role with an absolute howler as he sliced his shot and pelted a crowd member with the ball.
Simon Gander, the new captain of Chislehurst Golf Club in Chislehurst, Kent, lined up to open his time in office over the weekend with a drive from in front of the clubhouse.
Watched by a sizeable audience, poor Simon had a start to forget though as his opening shot went wildly awry, hitting a member of the crowd and leaving onlookers gasping in shock.
Video filmed by a bystander shows Simon joking along with those watching on as he takes a few practice swings ahead of his big moment.
He then says, “Right, here we go”, as he lines up the head of his driver with the teed-up ball and corrects his stance.
Cracking one last joke to the crowd, which is met by chuckles all round, the golfer’s big moment finally comes as he winds back his club and lets rip.
Despite what appears to be a good swing and correct stance, the ball veers off to the left, seemingly making a beeline for the camera.
The cameraman exclaims and jumps out the way before the crowd gasps loudly in horror as the ball collides with a spectator with a sickening crack.
The video was posted to social media yesterday (MON) with the caption: “Just because you are the new captain of the club doesn’t mean you are the best player, especially under pressure.”
The clip has since received over 4,700 likes and more than 280 comments from users left with second-hand embarrassment at the golfing fail.
One user said: “To be a captain he’s obviously got a few quid, lessons would be my next step.”
Another added: “Horrific this, I think I’d die of embarrassment then immediately announce my retirement from golf and then go and jump in a skip.”
A third wrote: “The pressure of 1 person watching me is enough let alone a few hundred. The embarrassment is awful.”
Another commented: ” Oh my sweet lord I’d be putting the club back in the bag and handing back my captaincy immediately. Cringing for him. Bless.”
