Golfer sues for £750,000 after losing eye

44 year old Anthony Phee, from Manchester, is seeking £750,000 in damages, against Niddry Castle golf club and golfer James Gordon who took a tee shot that caused Mr Phee to lose his eye. The level of damages in the case has been agreed but liability still remains an issue.

Mr Gordon, who has a handicap of 18, told the court that he hit his shot from the eighteenth tee but it swerved towards a group of four people on the path which included Mr Phee.

Mr Gordon said after hitting the shot he immediately shouted the traditional golfers warning "fore" as the ball headed towards the group. He said: 'I shouted fore at the top of my voice.' His playing partner also called out. He added 'On the shout of fore three people went down.' But the fourth member of the group did not shield himself and instead was 'looking towards the sky.'

Mr Phee, said that he had only played a few games of golf in the past but he knew that hearing the shout of "fore" there was a stray ball and that he should take evasive action. He added that he ducked and put  his hand up to protect his face, after hearing the warning but was still struck by the offending ball and felt his eye explode.

Both Mr Gordon and the golf club, claim that is Mr Phee had ducked as he stated then its highly unlikely that he would have been hit.

Mr Phee states: "It is common knowledge among golfers that it is the responsibility of the striker of the ball to satisfy himself that his shot cannot harm anyone.'

The court case continues.

Golfplan Insurance Goes Wild

Golfplan took part in the charity auction of Bristol Zoo's Wow! Gorillas sculptures and has successfully acquired 'Noah'.

Noah was one of 61 life-sized gorillas statues auctioned at the Victoria Rooms in Clifton after being part of a public art trail in Bristol throughout the summer.

Each Wow! Gorilla sculpture was painted by a local artist as part of Bristol Zoo's 175th birthday celebrations.

The sculptures were auctioned off to help raise funds for two charities - Bristol Zoo's conservation projects for critically endangered gorillas, as well as Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal for the cardiology unit at Bristol Children's Hospital.

More than 500 people attended the charity auction to place their bids and altogether helped raise over £427,000.

The 101 small gorillas which have also appeared  around Bristol this summer will be returned to the schools and nurseries which sponsored and decorated them.

Alan Tate Breaks Leg at Golf Course

Many accidents that happen on the golf course can leave you unable to play for any amount of time, for Swansea defender Alan Tate who has broken his leg in what his club have described as a "bizarre golfing accident" it is going to affect his career for at least the next six months.

The club vice-captain is in his 10th season with the Swans and has played more than 300 games for the club.

Tate was a passenger in a golf buggy at Gower Golf Club, South Wales on Sunday 28th August when the buggy lost control.

The 28-year-old former Manchester United trainee who is described as a ''very good golfer'' was taken to Morriston Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured tibia of his left leg. It’s a bitter blow for the defender who has played in all four divisions for Swansea for over a decade.

"We're really gutted for him and he's obviously very disappointed," said Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers.

''He's a very upbeat character so for him to be injured will be difficult because I've never known him miss one day's training. To be out for up to six months with what's happened will be absolutely devastating.''

Midfielder Leon Britton reflects on the blow “if the accident happened on the training ground or in a game then it would be a lot easier to accept because its part and parcel of the game. But this was a freak accident and is hard to take.”

For golf club members, being injured or ill could result in being unable to play for a number of months also but can still be liable for membership fees which can run into thousands and many golf clubs do not refund these fees.

Golfplan can reimburse its policy holders up to £2000 of club membership fees following an accident or sickness rendering you unable to play golf. Golf club membership fee cover is provided up to the age of 70.

What to do now:

Our policyholders gain from a unique package of essential insurance benefits that no other golf insurer provides, go online to compare: www.golfplan.co.uk/policy_comparison.asp

Find the right Golfplan Policy for you: www.golfplan.co.uk/premiums_and_policy_options.asp

View Golfplan's essential benefits:  www.golfplan.co.uk/policy_benefits.asp

Call 0800 591 834 ext 1 for a free quote.

Tag Heuer ends $10m sponsorship deal with Tiger Woods

Luxury Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer ended a $10m sponsorship with the former World No.1golfer, according to Golf World, when his contract expired.

The contract is believed to be worth more than $10m and is another financial blow to Woods as the Swiss firm is the sixth major sponsor to drop him following scandals about his personal life. Woods has already lost Gillette, Gatorade, Accenture, AT&T and Golf Digest as sponsors.

The series of allegations in his personal life was reported to have cost Woods more than $25m in sponsorship deals.

Other major sponsors, including Nike and EA Sports, have stood by the sportsman, however golf websites reported that Woods has had his sponsorship pay cut by Nike failing to win any major tournament in the last two years.

Woods is still estimated to be worth about $500 million but since his personal life became public almost two years ago he has not won a single tournament.

Woods attempt at a comeback this week following a three-month injury lay-off due to a knee and Achilles knocks at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio did not go well, with Woods finishing in tied 37th.