Du Beke said ‘that intimidatory factor’ can be a hurdle for some women who want to join in.
Anton Du Beke with Sarah Stirk (Putt And Strut/PA)
Hannah Roberts8 minutes ago
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Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has said he is interested in getting more women involved in golf through his new podcast Putt And Strut.
The dancer, 58, and his co-host, Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, will be joined by a host of celebrity guests for the audio show, including Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray and Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt.
Du Beke has played the sport for decades and said “that intimidatory factor” can be a hurdle for some women who want to join in.
“I’m interested in getting women involved in golf a lot more,” he said.
“Because my wife started playing golf, just after we met. She felt she better get interested in golf.
“And she’s great, she has an interest in golf.
“We don’t have a lot of time to play because we have the children, but the children play golf as well and I have a daughter as well, and I want her to play golf and be interested in golf and love the sport.
“But it’s that hurdle, that intimidatory factor. Everybody feels like it’s a very male orientated sport, and it sort of is, but not.”
Du Beke also said the sport “doesn’t have to be really expensive”, and added that he would love “non-golfers” to tune into the podcast.
The dancer is most known for being a judge on Strictly and was previously a professional dancer on the BBC One dance show where he struck up a friendship with his “great hero” and co-host of the show, the late Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Reflecting what it was like to play golf with Sir Bruce, he said: “We did the first series (of Strictly) in the May, sort of April, May time. So anyway it comes.
“And just after that, in the July, it was right around Wimbledon, (judge) Len (Goodman) and I played golf with Brucie, first time we ever played golf with him.
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“And we sort of pinched ourselves. We turned up at the house. We drive up to the gate… the gates opened and in we went to Forsyth mansions at Wentworth (Estate). And then we went out and played golf.
“Then we went back to Brucie’s, afternoon tea, and we were a bit giddy to be honest with you, it was the most wonderful, wonderful day. I couldn’t believe it.
“And so I was fortunate enough to become firm friends with Brucie for many, many years, and we did lots of things together, and we played a lot of golf and not once did he let me win.
“I did win a few times, but I had to work on it (he was) very competitive.”
Putt And Strut with Du Beke and Stirk is available to listen to on Global Player and all major podcast platforms.
