Amidst the Olympians, successful businessmen, and sporting legends there was one group in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am that stood out for fans of the BBC's ever-popular Saturday night ballroom show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Making up a fourball with Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher over the renowned West Course layout at Wentworth Club were British television legend Bruce Forsyth, co-host of the programme with Tess Daly, professional dancer Anton Du Beke, and 2009 Strictly Champion Chris Hollins.
Forsyth, a resident of the Wentworth Estate, has been one of the crown jewels of British entertainment over the last 72 years and despite now reaching the middle of his ninth decade still plays off a handicap of 14, while Hollins, a television presenter by trade, plays off seven.
With help from the likable Du Beke, a ballroom specialist, the quartet finished in a very respectable tie for 11th place on ten under par in the ‘Shotgun Start’ Pro-Am event prior to Thursday’s first round, 14 shots behind the eventual winners, led by part-time Wentworth resident, Ernie Els.
“Today has been a joy of joys; I once again have had the best day ever!” beamed Du Beke. “I’ve played very nicely, I could have done with holing a few more putts but that is the golfer’s lament, sadly, good golfers and not so good golfers say the same thing.”
Along with Fisher, who finished second to compatriot Paul Casey in the BMW PGA Championship in 2009, Du Beke and co. negotiated their way around the testing Harry Colt masterpiece in the May sunshine, and the Kent born Englishman took time to praise their professional leader and the condition of the course.
Du Beke said: “Ross has been a joy to play with, he’s an absolutely lovely fella and a lovely golfer. The course is looking and playing brilliantly, it’s my favourite course and it’s in great nick. It’s going to be a stern test and some of the places these fellas hit the ball from, way back, I mean it’s a small holiday for some people that distance!”
A six handicapper with a golf swing as graceful and neat as his ballroom moves, Du Beke famously partnered Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe in the 2010 series of the primetime extravaganza and confirmed his participation in the tenth series later in the year.
“Strictly is returning in the autumn yes, once more,” he revealed. “I’m not sure who I am going to get but I think we all know the sort of dancer I get. I’ve always had decent dancers, though, heaven forfend that you should suggest otherwise!”
And when asked who from the current golfing crop he would love to see on Strictly Come Dancing at some point, one immediately imagined answers of “World Number One, Rory McIlroy,” or “Smooth swinging Luke Donald,” but it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise from a man that has enchanted the female half of the nation for the last ten years that his thoughts immediately shifted to the fairer sex.
“Carly Booth,” he replied without much hesitation, suggesting the Ladies European Tour prodigy.
Forever suave, charming, debonair; Anton the ladies’ man. Typical Du Beke…
