Everyone knows when Tiger Habershon is on the golf course because the cry of ‘fore' rings out around the fairways.  It should be Hacker Habershon really but anyone can dream of greatness.  I do enjoy a round of golf and, when I manage to find the time, I can be found hacking and duffing with the best of them at Ludlow Golf Club.

It may surprise you to learn that the great Tiger Woods (that's the forestry bit) and I have much in common.  He is a great golfer, has many lady friends, is fit, strong, good looking and very very rich.  Come to think of it we have nothing in common at all! 

Some time ago I played at Ludlow with a good but rather eccentric friend called William, who took pride in playing the game in odd ways.  To give an example William once played the first five holes at Ludlow in par without his ball once landing on the fairway!  That is quite a feat and could only be done with skilful play out of the rough, at which he was a master.

I recall a rather amusing occasion when my golfing partner's ball landed on a tuft of gorse, growing just on the edge of the fairway.  He took out his three-wood and launched an almighty heave towards the green.  The club passed neatly under the ball, which hopped up about a foot vertically before coming to rest in exactly the same place on the gorse tuft.  Dave did not see any of that and was looking down the fairway expecting to see the ball land on the green.  How we laughed but, unfortunately, Dave did not see the funny side and stomped back to the clubhouse in a fearful rage.

So if there are any golfers out there who fancy an easy victory, give me a call and we can arrange a session.  Sadly Dave is no longer with us but William I am sure would turn out to show off his skills in the rough!

Just a thought to finish with:-

There are two rules to being a genius.

• 1) Don't tell everything you know.
• 2)

Stephen Habershon is Forestry Consultant to Balfours and can be contacted through Balfours' Offices in Craven Arms on 01588 673314.