My Race Days

May
14
2011

Charity Pro-Am Gold Day

Tuesday took me off to Brean which is neat Weston-Super-Mere for a
Charity Pro-Am Golf Day. Shorts, T-Shirt and sunglasses, what more 
do you need? There was either a Jockey or a Professional Golfer 
on each team. It's my old sponsor Tony 
Higgins' local course so as soon as I knew it was on there I 
was straight on the dog and bone to him, as firstly I had not seen him 
in a while and also because of his local course knowledge of course! 
We were joined on our team by Eamon Wynn and Jason Peters 2 more 
locals of the course. Having consumed our Bacon Rolls (after all 
it's my day off) we set off at 11.10am. A steady start sets the tone 
for the day. We arrive at the 8th hole after scoring just 3 points 
on the hard and long par5 7th. I'm 2nd up on the tee box, 
Par3 155 yards down wind, 7 iron, BOOM, 15 inches from the pin. 
Birdie putt goes in for a 4 pointer. Back in the game and as it 
was nearest the pin I spent the rest of the day hoping no one 
would beat it. A steady 39 points for the front 9, not too bad 
but fingers will have to be pulled out to be knocking on the door 
at the end. The back 9 starts off again steady and after couple 
more holes we were starting to get into a nice rhythm and 
despite it raining a bit we end up with 41 points on the back 
and 80 in total. Don't think we will be troubling the judge. So 
we handed our card in and off we went for our 3 course dinner. I 
really do love these FREE days out. After dinner the prize giving 
was takeing place. 1st up was nearest the pins and to my delight 
mine on the 7th was not beaten, so off up I went to get my prize 
which was a lovely wash bag. As we had a Birdie we also as a team 
won another prize for being in the 2ss club, golf balls and caps,
grand job as I did lose quite a few out there. Then it was the 
team compition and we nicked a bit of 5th place on count back,
more prizes, this is great. To finish off the evening a golf show 
was put on. If you have not seen one of these shows its worth 
taking the time out too. As Gerald Tumelty is a 1st season golfer 
and never seen this before, he was amazed and frustrated as the 
entertainer made it look so easy when he is seriously struggling 
with the game. Thats the joy of GOLF!

About David

Hay, I'm David or Dave Crosse and I'm a professional Jumps jockey originally from near Cashel, Co Tipperary. I am now based and have been for the last 14 years in Lambourn in Berkshire - the home of Jumps racing.

Racing has been going well for me this season and I hope to make a big impact this winter when the proper jumps racing starts. I've been through the mill with injuries down the years but nothing that has ever stopped me getting back in the saddle. I've probably broken bones in places people didn't even realise they had bones.

I'm going to take you through what I get up too on and off the track, and try give you an insight of a jockey's life and the craic we have 24/7.

Being a Jumps jockey is a dangerous game but to me its the best game in the world. I look forward to sharing the craic we have in the weighting room with the Lovetheraces and Attheraces readers. It a side of the sport that very few people see so its going to be pretty special.

So here we go...