July 2013 / Issue 223

Aston Martin’s full range of cars was available to test drive Over 280 guests enjoyed a gala dinner at Stoke Park MOVE OVER CONNERY, THERE’S A NEW BOND IN TOWN

You only putt twice: Nick Bayly and team recreate the famous scene from Goldfinger on the 18th green at Stoke Park

Nick Bayly With Auric Goldfinger’s vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and James reports from Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 parked the inaugural outside the clubhouse, a giant golden James Bond gun 007 logo beside the first tee, and Vespa Martinis – shaken not stirred Golf Day, – served for pre-dinner drinks, Stoke Park Golf held at Stoke Club proved the perfect venue to host the inaugural James Bond Golf Day on June 28. Which way to the first? The famous 007 logo points golfers in the direction of the first tee. Should it be 001? Park Golf As the setting for arguably the most iconic golf Club, which match in cinematic history, between Sean Connery’s Bond, and Gert Fröbe’s Goldfinger, Stoke Park ended in team partnered with EON Productions to host the Bond- triumph and themed event, with the £30,000 profits from the day a lot of Bond donated to the charity Spinal Research. With hat-wielding Oddjob thankfully failing to memorabilia make an appearance, the 25 teams set out for 18 to take home holes around the classic Harry Colt layout without fear of losing anything more than a few golf balls. As early rain turned to bright sunshine, a great day was had by all, although scoring was not easy in the rain- softened conditions. Team Octopussy collect their prizes from Bond actor Colin Salmon There was a strong Bond theme to the day’s events The winning group, rather awkwardly, was my own Team Octopussy, which came in at 10-under par. We had the benefit of Stoke Park’s Director of Golf got the team into contention. With the VPar scoring guest of honour Bond film producer Barbara Broccoli, Stuart Collier and PGA Professional David Novell’s system keeping us in touch with what the rest of the was joined by a host of Bond actors, including Colin experience to call upon, ably assisted by Daily Mail field were doing, a pair of birdies (nett or otherwise) Salmon (Charles Robinson in Tomorrow Never Dies, Plus sports editor Richard Copeman, who playing was required on the final hole, which were thankfully The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day), Fiona off 14, enjoyed a run of pars around the turn that achieved courtesy of two nervy long distance two- Fullerton (Pola Ivanova in View To A Kill) and Goldie putts from the amateurs on the 420-yard, par-four (The World Is Not Enough). After the prize giving and 18th. After recreating the famous picture from dinner, guests danced the night away to live music Goldfinger, we headed back to the clubhouse. from five-piece band Candy Apple Blue, before the After golf, players were invited to test drive one of curtain closed on an unforgettable day. half a dozen brand new Aston Martins, including the Stuart Collier, Director of Golf at Stoke Park, said: “We Vantage, Rapide S, Vanquish and DB9. I hitched a lift in are very proud of our Bond heritage at Stoke Park. We the Rapide – just £150,000 on the road – and was soon have had two Bond films shot here. Besides Goldfinger, turning heads around the leafy lanes of Stoke Poges as scenes from Tomorrow Never Dies were also filmed I revved up the six-litre V12 engine and managed all of in our ballroom. The idea behind the golf day was to 60mph before hitting rush-hour traffic. celebrate that heritage, and to create something truly The day’s entertainment ended with Vespa cocktails unique and authentic. I think we can definitely say we (gin, vodka, and half a measure of Kina Lillet) and achieved that, and we’re looking forward to doing it Bollinger Champagne on the terrace before a sit-down again next year, which will be the 50th annniversary of Auric Goldfinger’s vintage Rolls Royce dinner for 280 guests in a huge marquee, where Goldfinger’s release in the cinemas.”