One of Kent and the UK’s best footgolfers has his eyes set on yet more success with the new season upon us.
The sport of Footgolf – a game, unsurprisingly, combining elements of football and golf – in the last decade has spread its way around the globe, with Footballers being well known for playing golf in their spare time, so perhaps it is no surprise that Footgolf has proved such a hit with those hailing from a footballing background – 70% of people who have taken up the sport have been footballers.
And right here in Kent, we have one of the UK’s best FootGolfers in Karl Baker-May, whose Mum Wendy used to be secretary of Faversham Town and his Dad Clive Walker needs no introduction to Kent’s football fans…
Ahead of the 2024 season which could see Karl defending his National Championship crown across the country as well as hopefully representing the UK in the European Championship and the sports equivalent of the Ryder Cup – the Jansen Cup.
We sat down with the UK Champion recently and started by asked Karl how he got started in the sport; he told us, “I have been playing the sport since October 2014. In this time, I have spent time as European Number 1, have become UK Champion and after a split into separate nations, I am now the English National Champion, meaning I have been Tour Champion for the past two years.”
“I am also the only person who has represented Team GB in every major international competition since the very first opportunity in Argentina in January 2016.”
A great record for the Gillingham man, but what is Footgolf exactly? Karl explained, “The sport of footgolf as we know it today was created in the Netherlands by Bas Korsten and Michael Jansen in 2008.”
“Loosely basing it on a post-training game played by Korsten’s brother – pro-footballer Willem Korsten – (who played for Spurs). Players would end training sessions by kicking the footballs from the training pitch back to the changing rooms in as few kicks as possible.”
In a relatively short period, Karl’s personal honours list is impressive as he went through it with us, “Overall, I have played in three World Cups (Argentina 2016, Morocco 2018 and USA 2023) whereas part of the team we have finished 4th and Runners-Up,” he said.
Looking to the months ahead, he added, “The 2024 National Tour also gives me the opportunity to qualify for the 2025 FIFG World Cup. I have played in all 3 European Championships, winning all 3 with myself having the honour of holing the winning putt on two occasions in 2017 in France and 2021 in Hungary.”
“November 2024 sees the 4th European Championships in Turkey. Finally, on the international stage, I have played in 3 Footgolf Ryder Cups (Jansen Cup – UK v USA) winning on two occasions. August 2024, in Scotland, will see me play in my 4th event.”
But to be able to continue, Karl needs help from sponsors and or fans, so if you think you or your company would like to get involved, please contact Karl directly on 07973 482987…
…or by email to [email protected]
We wish Karl the very best of luck this season, and we look forward to following his progress through the summer here at KSN…