• About us
    • Directory
    • Contact Us
  • Monday , 25 January 2021
Northern Golfer
  • Home
  • News
    • Champion of Champions
    • Gear
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • A round with…
    • Course profiles
    • Nostalgia
    • Travel
  • Columns
    • Tips
    • Pro-File
    • Tour Life
    • Greenwatch
    • 19th Hole
    • In the Bag
  • Competitions
  • Events
    • Champion of Champions 2019
    • Match Play Pairs
      • MPP 2020
      • Rules
    • Honours
  • Back issues
  • Advertise
  • Read our Oct/Nov 2020 edition online
  • Feature A Round With
  • Geoff Cook
Geoff Cook

Geoff Cook

A Round With, Feature
1175 views

The former England cricketer, Durham CCC director of cricket and Ramside Golf Club seniors captain on his passion for golf

Geoff Cook has spent nearly 50 years in top-level sport. A county cricketer with Northamptonshire from 1971-1990, he played seven test matches and six one-day internationals for England in the early 1980s. He moved to Durham when the county gained first-class status in 1992 and captained the team. Following his playing career, he became a coach and ultimately the club’s director of cricket – a role he retired from in September 2018 after 27 years with Durham. Geoff continues to be involved in cricket, coaching locally, supporting club cricket and working with the England U19 squad to spot talented young players for the national system. Away from those roles and being a grandparent, he captained the Ramside seniors team in 2018 and remains part of the team. Here’s more from our round with Geoff…

1 How much golf do you play?

I play far more than I have done in the past, up to a couple of times a week in various things. I really enjoy the camaraderie and touch of competitiveness golf provides. I played sport professionally for 20 years and that gives me a great perspective when I’m out there trying to play to a handicap of 13.

2 How did you get into golf?

I dabbled a little bit when I was younger, as many cricketers did with varying degrees of success. We had some fantastic opportunities to play golf at brilliant courses but never took it particularly seriously. I was a country member at Goswick for a while then joined Ramside a few years ago.

3 Where do you like to play in the North East?

I’m very lucky to be a member of Ramside and enjoy both courses here. A little further afield, Goswick is a fantastic place to play and I have some special memories of playing at Slaley Hall.

4 And further afield?

I’ve been lucky to play some fabulous courses all across the UK and around the world. I’ve always enjoyed golf in Scotland and the Ramside seniors’ trip to Turkey has taken us to some brilliant courses. For a stand out pick, it would have to be Turnberry or Wentworth.

5 What’s your best ever round?

I’ve shot 75 at Goswick once – it was rolling nicely that day.

6 Which is your favourite golfing memory?

There are so many, but a recent highlight was a golf day at the Westmoreland resort in Barbados to celebrate the retirement of West Indian legend Wes Hall from his post-cricket career as a politician.

7 What about embarrassing moments?

Playing at Woburn while trying to recover from the night before, I made a birdie at the first hole then failed to get my next 17 tee shots airborne.

8 Do you have any superstitions?

Not when playing golf – I’m far too relaxed for all that. As a cricketer, I had a few. When opening the batting with Wayne Larkins, I always stayed on his right side when walking out to open the batting.

9 What are your strengths on the course?

As every 13 handicapper does, I have good days and bad days. My pitching, from around 100 yards and in, is generally a strength.

10 And your weaknesses?

Putting has always been something I’d like to improve. I can be very inconsistent on the greens.

11 Which is your favourite club?

My seven iron.

12 Who are your best golfing friends?

I’m lucky to have many golfing friends and see lots of them regularly, but I always look forward to playing with Mike Candlish. He has the best outlook on golf I’ve ever come across. He’s supremely competitive but if he fluffs a shot, he’s straight on to trying to hit the next one better. I always enjoy playing with him.

13 Has playing professional sport in the past helped your golf?

Hand eye co-ordination obviously helps in both sports. Having played other sports to a high level, I have a very relaxed outlook on golf, which can help when things aren’t quite going to plan.

14 Who is your favourite tour player?

I’ve always enjoyed watching Sergio Garcia. He’s a fabulous golfer with a passion for what he’s doing. When he’s good, he’s sensational and when he’s not so good, we can all relate to the frustration he shows.

15 Which event do you enjoy following?

Sky has done a great job of moving golf broadcasting forward and I enjoy the coverage a lot. I’ve always enjoyed the week of The Open and this year’s event at Royal Portrush was a fantastic spectacle.

16 Who do you admire?

I worked with the Professional Cricketers’ Association during my career, including as its chairman and secretary, and was incredibly inspired by the work of John Arlott – the PCA’s president from its formation until 1991. It was an honour to hear him speak and learn from him – he had a great sense of fairness and social responsibility. It was a real privilege to work with him.

17 Which three people would join you in your dream fourball?

Peter Alliss for his abilities as a raconteur, my brother Dave, who sadly passed away, and AP McCoy as my brother would have loved to spend time with one of the great jockeys.

18 If I could offer you a lottery win or a scratch handicap, which would you choose?

It would have to be the lottery win, I’d be very content hacking my way around the world’s best courses.

Share :

Northern adventure
The spice of life

Related Posts

The A team

The A team

October 21st, 2020
Mike Greener

Mike Greener

October 21st, 2020
Home on the range

Home on the range

October 21st, 2020
Taking in the sea air at Whitburn Golf Club

Taking in the sea air at Whitburn Golf Club

October 21st, 2020
More than carrying a bag

More than carrying a bag

September 11th, 2020
A walk in the park

A walk in the park

September 11th, 2020

Stay Connected

  • 2,435Followers
  • 0Fans
  • 0Followers


Please select the types of information you would like to receive from us:


You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.


Search

Facebook

Twitter

Follow @NEGolfer
  • Win golf for four at Chester-le-Street https://t.co/dqddRLYI9G  @CLSGolfClub  https://t.co/EbOsdzzD2Y

    3 years ago

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed. New posts will not be retrieved.

There may be an issue with the Instagram access token that you are using. Your server might also be unable to connect to Instagram at this time.

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

There may be an issue with the Instagram Access Token that you are using. Your server might also be unable to connect to Instagram at this time.

Error: No posts found.

Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com.

a magazine by Offstone Publishing
Offstone publishing specialises in niche, free, regional publications. To find out more visit www.offstonepublishing.co.uk
For further information about this or our other products email info@offstonepublishing.co.uk  
Our Sister Publications:

     

Privacy policy | Competitions terms and conditions
Copyright 2017 Offstone Publishing