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Sunday, 3 March, 2002, 13:56 GMT

Soccer hero rejoins boyhood course


Michael Owen
Michael Owen has taken up golf at his old club
England footballer Michael Owen has snubbed top golf courses to return to the village club in north Wales where he was once a schoolboy champion.

The Liverpool star prefers to play a round with boyhood friends than rub shoulders with fellow celebrities at exclusive venues.


" Michael is a lovely lad and very quiet. You wouldn't know he is here. I think that's why he likes i "
Ex-captain Ray Jones

After a three year gap, the striker has rejoined Hawarden Golf Club where the annual membership fee is just £360.

A senior member of the club admitted the star footballer was so quiet "you wouldn't know he was here".

It is another sign of the 21-year-old's fondness - away from the football pitch - for the peace and quiet of Wales.

Last year it was revealed he had settled himself and members of his close family in the village where he grew up.

Owen plays off a five handicap and gets his clubs out at least twice a week to play a round with his father Terry.

He took up golf lessons at Hawarden when he was just seven-years-old, and then bought first full set of clubs two years later.

He went on to pick up a string of junior trophies in his teens.

Owen has spoken of how he spent his childhood at the Hawarden course.

Michael Owen

"When I was a youngster, I would spend the whole of my school holidays at the local golf club.

"Some days I would fit in 54 holes.

"I was completely hooked on the game and when I was 13 my handicap came down to nine."

After Owen shot to fame he stopped playing at his village club and has joined several other golf clubs.

But it seems he is no longer interested in the celebrity circuit and prefers to return to Hawarden.

Hawarden Golf Club confirmed the multi-millionaire football star was back playing on the course.

"Michael is a former junior member and has not played here for about three years," said club former captain Ray Jones.

"Then, as a suspended member, he rejoined recently.

"He is a natural and played with the scratch players the other week. He was hitting the ball for miles.

"Michael is a lovely lad and very quiet. You wouldn't know he is here. I think that's why he likes it."


Related to this story:
Security tight for Istanbul tie (26 Feb 02 | Europe) Soccer star ponders film role (05 Sep 00 | Entertainment) Owen nudges Keegan (03 Sep 00 | Football) Owen's England magic (02 Sep 00 | Football) Owen scores drama first (22 Feb 00 | Entertainment) Owen's crowning glory (17 Dec 01 | Football)


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