David Platt on his new venture – Major Golf Events

Lots of footballers play golf but you’re taking things a bit further. Tell us about your new venture…

Like most who play golf I have got the bug. We started by having a golf society of like-minded people who wanted to play the best courses in larger-than-average fields, and from there it developed into a good friend of mine and myself developing Major Golf. I get invited to many events and in many cases thought they could have been better organised to provide an experience different to what we all play in our monthly medals. We set about sourcing the best courses to play on, offered different formats to keep people’s interest, and along the way added value-for-money experiences such as live scoring, fine dining and wine, entertainment and so on.

I’m a golf nut and I wanted a business I could enjoy Why did you want to get into golf particularly?

I wanted a business I could enjoy. As a golf nut what better way is there than to organise the kind of event you would pay yourself to play in. The golf course has replaced the competition I used to have as a footballer.

Tell us about your own golf?

I’m off six but my short game lets me down. I am a member at Loch Lomond, Archerfield and Pevero in Sardinia, but with the events we schedule I get to play at the best courses all over the UK and Europe and get some good invites worldwide. I consider myself very lucky!

Do you prefer seaside or inland golf and what is your favourite course?

I prefer inland golf because the greens are more receptive meaning I don’t miss them as often, which exposes my dodgy short game… Links golf is also good because I can putt from off the green! I didn’t have an out-and-out favourite until I played Pebble Beach a couple of years ago – that blew me away.

You last job in football was as assistant at Manchester City. Can you see yourself going back to the game?

We started Major Golf Events about six years ago and my life was one of playing the best courses, at the same time as doing TV analysis, not really caring who won or lost the game. Life had a great balance. I was on the 16th at Gloria’s New course in Turkey when Roberto Mancini called and asked me to join him. I threw the phone back in the buggy and hit a fat pitching wedge about 10 yards because I knew I couldn’t turn the opportunity down.

I enjoyed my three years at City immensely, and feel proud to have helped them be successful, but life has a balance again now and I am enjoying the only pressure being over three-foot putts. I’d never say never, but it’s doubtful.