More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A man who tried out footgolf as something to do for his football team's pre-season preparations is now at the top of his game.
Chris Aldous, from Strood, was running Gravesend's Pavilion Athletic four years ago when he decided to take the team to try out their fancy footwork on the golf course.
Footgolf is a mix of football and golf, where players kick a ball into larger holes, rather than using small balls and clubs.
Father-of-one Chris, enjoyed himself so much, he decided to take things further and start competing.
Now he has risen through the ranks and is the number one senior player in the UK, and qualified to play in the sport's World Cup in Japan.
Chris, who is 47 and works as a printer, had spent most weekends travelling the length and breadth of the country competing and has represented both England and the UK.
However, the World Cup, which was due to be held at the end of September in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Chris' UK team won the Jansen Cup against the United States back in September in the sport's equivalent of the Ryder Cup.
He still helps out at Pavilion, who play in the Rochester and District League, and spent many years playing in the league and the North Kent league as a striker and then in goal.
Chris is part of a team who play out of Pedham Place in Swanley, and wants to let people know they can get into the sport at any age.
The Copperhouse Road resident said: "I thought, what should 'I do with the boys?'
"I saw it advertised and I took the lads down there and I really enjoyed it.
"I entered a regional competition and spoke to the organiser and he invited me onto the UK tour."
He has since played in the Scottish, Welsh and English Masters and Opens and has rubbed shoulders with celebrities including Stan Collymore and Paolo Di Canio.
He said: "It's nice to play alongside celebrities, you see a different side to them."
He is appealing for businesses to sponsor his shirt to raise funds for the upcoming season.
If you are interested in sponsoring Chris, email chris.aldous@hotmail.co.uk.
