Benn Barham
03 November 2008 - 17:36
by Ben Barham
The season’s over for me now and it’s been great getting some rest. Regrettably, I didn’t make the Volvo Masters as I wasn’t in the top sixty players at the end of the season…but maybe next year.
It’s been a year of ups and downs for me. I’ve had some of my best performances ever but missed the cut on more occasions than I would have liked. My aim has always been to be more consistent and that remains the case, unfortunately it’s not something you can just click your fingers and make happen. I’ll be sure to work hard with my coaches during the Winter and tighten those areas of my game where I still feel I have weaknesses.
I ended the season finishing 110th and I was pleased to retain my card for the third consecutive season. However, having finished in higher positions for the last couple of years I was really hoping to push on.
Highlights
When you’ve competed all over the world it’s sometimes hard to remember all the tournaments you’ve played in! I enjoyed my golf out in Delhi where I finished in 15th position; the course was great, a really tight eighteen holes with only three holes worthy of a drive off the tee. Away from the course it was a real eye-opener to be surrounded by such exoticism, the poverty of the slums really makes you take stock of what you have in life.
Back home, the London Club was another highlight for me. I had a lot of support playing on my doorstep, which is always appreciated, but by and large it’s great playing a course and venue that are always outstanding!
When it comes to club house distractions, Moscow proved to be an entertaining location; the beers were free out there as one of the sponsors was Stella Artois! I always get asked where the best girls are on tour…but I never pay any attention to the ladies! My girlfriend always raises an eyebrow when I travel to Sweden, but obviously I’m far too focused on my golf for any such diversions.
Overall I’d have to say that the best course I played was once again the Emirates in Dubai; not only is the weather usually awesome but there’s always a great atmosphere as well.
Barham’s Birdie Challenge
I’ve got a few end of season dinners on the horizon which are great for catching up with people who’ve supported me. I’m also involved doing charity work for the Demelza House Children’s Hospice; all season I’ve been taking part in my brainchild Barham’s Birdie Challenge where I and others pay a pound for every birdie I’ve scored. I managed 245 birdies and 5 eagles this year (I thought I had more!), so if somebody donates a pound for each of those its £250 for the year. This year I managed to get another 25 guys involved and it looks like we’re going to raise a tidy sum. Obviously the more people involved the better so next year we’ll be looking to raise even more cash.
Tomorrow I’m rewarding all those who’ve donated to the cause by hosting a golf day at Charts Hill Golf Club; there will be prizes from my sponsors and a few friends from the European tour helping out. It’s nice being able to say thanks to people who give to others. Along with the other golf days I’ve taken part in this year I think I’ll have helped raise about £50,000 for charity which isn’t bad seeing as I’m doing the job I love!
Baby Barham on the way
Away from the golf course I made my DJ-ing debut last weekend in Ashford. My set lasted over an hour and I was mixing up some old-skool funky house tunes; Ashford’s only a small place so I had to keep it conservative…people like to know what they are listening to…
As you can tell I’ve been loving the late nights since the golf finished…it’s just as well as my girlfriend is expecting our first child in 4 weeks! We’re not sure yet if it’ll be a little Sergio Garcia or Annika Sorenstam…we’ll just have to see! I’m sure that will keep me very busy until the first tournament of next season in Abu Dhabi!
I’m keen to get as many people involved with Barham’s Birdie Challenge and Demelza House as possible. If anybody reading this would like to learn more about the challenge and the charity please follow the following link:
http://www.demelzahouse.org/