Golfer suing former partners 'not the sort of man to cheat'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AN AMATEUR golfer suing two former friends for damages after they accused him of cheating was a 'very competitive player' but 'not the sort of man to cheat', a court was told yesterday.
Philip Townsend, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, told Nottingham County Court that John Buckingham, a retired businessman, had been his golf partner for 12 years. 'I have played with him in friendly matches, pro-ams and medal competitions.
'I trust him implicitly and have never had cause to criticise his behaviour on the golf course. He is not the sort of man to cheat.'
Mr Townsend said Mr Buckingham and one of the men who made the accusation of cheating, Reginald Dove, had played together in a local open competition in 1990 at the Sherwood Forest Club in Nottinghamshire where the alleged misconduct took place.
When asked about alleged cheating at the 12th hole during the round, Mr Townsend said: 'Mr Dove came to me and said that it wasn't the ball that John had been playing with previously.
'He told me, 'I think he's dropped a ball', but there was no way on earth he could have done that without us seeing it.'
Mr Townsend said: 'I asked him, 'Have you seen him drop a ball', and he said 'no' and nothing was said to John and the game carried on as normal. Then as we walked off the course Reg said, 'I'm sure he did drop a ball'. I saw nothing to suggest cheating during that round.'
Mr Buckingham is claiming damages from Mr Dove and Graham Rusk, who accused him of placing his ball in more favourable lies and dropping a ball down his trouser-leg. He started legal proceedings in June 1991 after Sherwood's committee cleared him of cheating during the Sherwood Open in August 1990.
The case continues on Monday.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments