ANYONE REMEMBER MAURICE FLITCROFT ?

Maurice Flitcroft fell in love with golf in 1974 after watching it on television. As a crane driver he was in no position to join a golf club in his home town of Barrow-in-Furness. Instead he sent off for a set of mail order golf clubs and taught himself from books in the library. As he couldn't afford to play on a golf course he practised on the local beach, football and cricket pitches.

In one of the library books he found the address of the R&A who ran the British Open. As it was "Open" Flitcroft couldn't see why he couldn't enter. As an amateur he would have needed proof of his handicap, but as a Professional there were no requirements.

July 2nd 1976 at Formby Golf Club, was the day that Maurice Flitcroft stood on the first tee for his first ever round of golf. He made history by recording the highest ever score( 121, 49 over par! )recorded in the British Open qualifing in its 116 year history.

Keith Mackenzie, Secretary of the R&A was not happy with Flitcroft and as he had entered as a Professional, he would make sure that Flitcroft would never be able to play amateur golf.

Undeterred, Flitcroft entered in 1977 under the name of James Vangene but was unable to play due to his fibrositis. In 1978 he entered under the name of Gene Pacecki. He spent months growing a handlebar moustache as a disguise, but was asked to leave after four holes as his poor golf was affecting the other competitiors' chances.

Arriving in Gullane for the 1980 qualifing in the dark, he pitched his tent on a fairway by mistake and when caught the next morning, never got to hit a shot. Flitcroft entered as Gene Pacecki the following year, but his application was returned with a nasty letter.

His last effort was in 1983 when he entered as Swiss Professional, Gerald Hoppy and even though he got to start, he was again escorted off the course after a few holes.

Maurice Flitcroft became a household name around the world for making a fool of the R&A. Unfortunately he passed away in 2007, but you can read his full story in a new book written by Scott Murray and Simon Farnaby from his unpublished memoirs.

The book is called "Phantom of the Open" and it was released last month.