Working-class hero breaking the mould
Amateur Alfie Plant will be cheered on by army of fans staying at Pontins, writes Daniel Zeqiri
Among the Rickie Fowler snowboarding hats and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston fake beards in the Open Championship crowd is another legion of devoted fans: Team Alfie.
Around 150 of them have travelled from south-east London to Royal Birkdale to support European Amateur champion Alfie Plant in his first major, adorned with ‘Team Alfie’ caps and T-shirts.
With accommodation scarce in Southport, many of them found refuge in a nearby Pontin’s holiday camp. As one supporter puts it, “it’s the Open by day and Shirley Bassey tributes by night”.
“I think we’ve taken over Pontins a bit,” says Plant. “I’m sure they’ll have a good crack on the karaoke, the talent show or whatever they’re going to get up to. There’s plenty of them there, they’ll all keep each other company and probably encourage each other to drink so I’m glad I’m not in there really.”
Plant is from Bexleyheath, a London suburb close to the border with Kent. It is hardly Mosside or Toxteth, but still a far cry from the heather and pine of golfing heartlands in Berkshire or Surrey.
Mother Emma is a Royal Mail worker, while father Darren is a former cobbler. Younger brother Albert is caddie for the week, and now answers to the nickname ‘Bert on the Bag’. If the public need convincing that golf is not (solely) an old boys’ club of gold-buttoned blazers and electric gates, then Plant is comfortable being cast as a working-class hero.
Plant said: “A couple of people have said that to me. If I can help others be inspired or help them then that’s great. Like you say, we’re working-class people, we’re normal people from Bexleyheath, so anyone can do it. It has got its struggles, it’s been tough over the years, but it’s all worthwhile getting here.”
Those ‘struggles’ include the cost of equipment, memberships and competition entry fees through his teenage years. Not to mention that most precious commodity, time, largely spent driving Plant around the country.
“They have sacrificed plenty – I don’t even want to know,” says Plant of his family’s support.
Not that Plant is alone in coming from humble beginnings. One of the striking features of the crop including Johnston, Andy Sullivan, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood is the absence of a silver spoon.
Nevertheless, snobbery still exists at some of the country’s more illustrious clubs. The odd dropped-h can set alarm bells ringing. Plant pointed out that he will be forever grateful to the older members who gave him valuable advice, but feels there is work to be done.
“I think the new generation coming through seem to be a lot more levelheaded and mix with other people. But, yeah, there is snobbery at golf clubs isn’t there? It gets that vibe with all the old guys in their suits,” the Sundridge Park member says, laughing. “I’m sure as a kid they didn’t want me there [he laughs], but we still stayed.”
Father Darren has been there throughout, and a home-video of a three-year-old Alfie swinging a club in their back garden has made its way on to Youtube. Nursing a pint of lager as his son goes through his routines on the practice putting green, Darren could just be the proudest man in the world as he tries to drink in the moment.
He and the rest of the gang have even indulged in some lighthearted needle with Justin Rose. ‘A Plant is stronger than a Rose’, was their call to arms.
“That’s my old man. He likes to say a few controversial things. Rosey is a nice guy, he stopped and chatted to me a few times and I’m sure we’d make a good team.”
What’s the target for the week? “Definitely the Silver Medal – that’s got to be right up there,” Plant says of the leading-amateur prize. “But it would be great to take home the Claret Jug!”