Branshaw golfers to glow with flow (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Luminous balls to be used in competition to test night vision
4:30pm Wednesday 20th October 2010 in Other By David Knights
Branshaw captain Paul Chodakowski, right, and club professional Simon Jowitt show off the luminous golf balls they will be using
Tee time will be night-time for dozens of Branshaw golfers on Friday.
They will be taking a shot in the dark in what is believed to be Keighley’s first night golf tournament.
The Texas Scramble will start at 7pm with the firing of a sky-rocket at the Oakworth club.
The competition has been organised by Branshaw captain Paul Chodakowski and club professional Simon Jowitt.
“I have been a member for nearly 20 years and have not heard of a similar event taking place in this area,” said Chodakowski.
“We will be setting up the course during the afternoon with glow-sticks marking the teeing-off areas, fairways, hazards, greens, flag and holes in different colours.
“There will be 52 players over 13 holes (including ladies and juniors), using special balls which light up when struck.
“It should be interesting to see all the balls flying through the air. They will look like shooting stars and keep flashing for five minutes after landing, which should avoid lost balls in Branshaw’s heather rough.
“They’re really good balls that cost £5 each and have 30 hours of light, so you can use them over and over again, while the glow sticks last for eight hours.”
Chodakowski said the novelty of playing golf in the dark, an idea first mooted by former captain Brian Whitney, had really caught on at the club.
He said: “The competition has been well over-subscribed and we have about 12 reserves. It was only going to be 11 holes but such has been the demand that we’ve increased it to 13.
“Apparently there are a number of courses over the country that do it, which surprised me as I’d never heard of anything.
“We thought we might as well spread the word and create a bit of interest. Let’s hope the weather’s okay. It’s getting cold but as long as it doesn’t rain, we can wrap up warm.”
A pie and peas supper will be held in the clubhouse afterwards.
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