The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Football and film star Vinnie Jones looks forward to Dunhill.
Vinnie Jones will take part in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Footballer-turned-film star Vinnie Jones will be among the famous faces getting to grips with the links courses of Courier Country later this year.
The 52-year-old hardman will be playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns between October 5 and 8.
Jones said he was “so proud” to have received his invitation to play in the proam which has been held annually on the PGA Tour since 2001.
Since the event’s launch, high-profile personalities from the worlds of sport and entertainment have taken part, including the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Hugh Grant, Jamie Dornan and Michael Douglas.
Football stars Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Michael Ballack and Ruud Gullit have taken part through the years.
Other sporting greats including Nigel Mansell, Ian Botham and Boris Becker have also participated, as well as the majority of golf’s biggest names.
Jones, who played for Wimbledon, Chelsea and Leeds, first took up golf during his football days but only started taking it seriously after moving to Hollywood to become a movie star.
He plays golf every day at his two clubs at Lakeside in Los Angeles and Plantation in Palm Springs when he is not working on a movie set.
Jones got his handicap down to five at one stage and takes his putter everywhere and will putt on the carpet when sitting in a waiting room or in reception.
He said: “My regular golfing buddies include Andy Garcia, who also loves puffing on a cigar while playing, and Joe Pesci.
“There are similarities with golf and acting.
“With golf, you’re on your own.
“You can’t blame anyone if things go wrong. “Same in acting. “Only you can learn your lines.” Jones said he does enjoy playing in pro-ams where “the crowds make you concentrate a bit more”.