Onlooker describes bizarre sight of officers racing across golf course in buggies
By Liz Hull
Last updated at 5:04 PM on 18th November 2011
To the casual observer, it must have appeared like a scene from the Keystone Kops.
After receiving reports that a burglar was making good his escape over a golf course, officers jumped onto electric golf buggies and gave chase.
Unfortunately, they were unable to catch the offender, who outwitted police and was still at large last night.
Chase: Police officers jumped onto electric golf buggies at a Merseyside golf course in a bid to catch a burglar
One onlooker, who saw the drama unfold, said: ‘It was a bizarre sight.
‘When the man ran across the golf course the officers jumped into golf buggies to try and find him.
‘The force helicopter was overhead as well, but I think he got away.’
Police had converged on the West Lancashire Golf Club, Blundellsands, Merseyside, following reports that a 76-year-old woman had been assaulted by a man who had forced his way into her home nearby.
The would-be thief fled empty handed after the pensioner’s 62-year-old female neighbour, who was also injured in the incident, rang 999 and bravely intervened.
Interesting choice: Police officers in Merseyside attempted to catch a burglar by using a golf buggy similar to this one
The assailant fled down Blundell Road on to sand dunes and across the golf course, before managing to get away.
Detective inspector Jon Smith, of Merseyside police, said: ‘This was a cowardly and callous attack on two vulnerable elderly women, which has left them very shaken and traumatised.
‘We are absolutely determined to find this man, but we need the community’s help to bring him to justice.
‘I would like to reassure residents that incidents like this are thankfully very rare.’
Both women were taken to hospital for treatment following the assault on Tuesday lunchtime, but were later released.
Police urged anyone with information about the raider, who is described as being between 20 and 40-years-old, of slim to medium build, with a bald head and wearing a grey fleece jacket, to contact them.
For all those who’ve the golf player in your holiday list this current year you might take into consideration acquiring a golf gps units for that individual. If you are, you might what to appear for certain attributes inside the best golf gps units.
#1 – Waterproof, Durable Construction — The golf gps unit which you select ought to be waterproof and extremely durable. The actual golf gps may possibly advise you of drinking water hazards but in the event you uncover oneself close to drinking water this can be a good function to shield your investment. Durable construction is one more have to.
#2 – Great Display Presence — Screen visibility is most probably probably by far the most essential functions on a golf gps unit. You are going to wish to make sure it attributes a pretty major screen to create the pictures straightforward to view. No matter whether it has a touchscreen, in addition, you can desire to purchase a anti-glare screen protector.
#3 — Very good Satellite Reception – Satellite reception is yet an additional important feature in particular when working with a unit upon sapling covered fairways. It can be also quite advantageous when the golf gps can keep the geostationary satellites locked in even if the unit is within your wallet. This makes obtaining chance distances significantly faster.
#4 — Vehicle Battery charger with regard to Rechargeable Battery – When the unit you buy has a common rechargeable electric battery you will wish to acquire a vehicle charger together with the golf gps unit. This way you happen to be able to recharge the battery inside your vehicle in order to the golf course inside the occasion you overlook to refresh this inside your own property. Hence, when the golf player on your holiday checklist desires the best golf gps device offered available, you are going to would like to take into consideration the over 4 functions. And after you must see exactly what golf gps is proper for you, take a look at our web site BestGPSGolf.com for guides anf evaluations on the best golf gps units .
One of the pros of life in a sunshine destination like Dubai is year-round enjoyment of the emirate’s beautiful beaches. It’s no surprise then that, back in the property boom, when beach-front properties were first made available for non-UAE nationals to buy, they were snapped up quicker than you could say “read the contract”.
But, for many, it seems it’s been a case of buy in haste and repent at leisure… though not at the leisure club. Two high-profile disputes between property developers and owners have broken out as property developers seek to charge residents for access to beach clubs that owners say they were told would be free.
On Palm Jumeirah, residents of the Shoreline Apartments have been told by developer Nakheel that they’ll have to pay AED 5,000 (£863) a year for family access to beach clubs they already own. Compared to the high cost of a family membership at a hotel beach club, which can mount to AED 60,000 (£10,365) or more, it’s not a lot. But, as part of Nakheel’s privatisation plan, the residents’ beach clubs will also be opened up to the public, which, for those seeking exclusivity, is perhaps even more irritating than having to pay a nominal fee.
In Jumeirah Beach Residences – Dubai Properties’ development of beach-front high-rise towers that was widely advertised as “Your Home on the Beach” – residents found out last month that they, too, will have to pay to use the private beach club that they say they were promised for free.
It legal terms, it seems nothing was written either way in the sales agreements. The power therefore lies in the hands of the developers, which claim that, while they promised facilities, they never said they would be free. That, they say, was an assumption on the part of eager buyers.
And, to be fair, for buyers to assume that swimming pools and gyms would be included for at no extra cost would be reasonable because all luxury apartment blocks here offer those facilities as standard. Beach clubs, though, are an unprecedented area since none had been offered prior to these two developments.
But, while owners and developers argue it out, the bigger picture is the damage that may be done on an international scale by the fall-out from this debate. If property developers continue to renege on apparent verbal promises like this, how will Dubai’s property market ever recover in the eyes of the world?
Annabel Kantaria is a journalist who moved to Dubai long before most people knew where it was. She doesn’t ride a camel to work; has never seen a gold-plated golf buggy and only rarely has pink champagne for breakfast. Follow her on Twitter: @BellaKay
If you are an avid golfer or a golf enthusiast, you may find it costly to keep replacing your golf buggy’s batteries so soon. Indeed, this can be costly, considering that new batteries are not also cheap.
If you want to learn a few simple things on how to take care of your golf buggy batteries and make it last, here are a few simple tips that you may find useful.
Check the manufacturer’s guide in taking care of your golf buggy batteries. This is one of the first things that you indeed need to do to make sure that your batteries work efficiently and they can last longer as well.
Check your golf cart batteries for defects. Check for leaks and cracks, and make sure that your batteries are free from dust and dirt. Keep the surrounding parts of your batteries dry and free from corrosion as well. Of course, if you find out some defects with your batteries early, then you can replace them early as well.
When cleaning your batteries, you have to keep in mind to use the distilled water to make it safer for you. Remember that lead acid batteries can be dangerous and that you have to practice safety precautions when cleaning them. Wear protective clothing as well. Goggles and gloves are important safety gears for your protection when keeping your golf batteries clean.
When cleaning the battery top, you can use a solution of baking soda and water. You can use a cloth or brush to clean the top of the battery and make sure that liquid does not get inside the battery. Make sure also that the battery terminals are free from dirt and dry as well.
In watering your golf buggy batteries, you can use battery-watering guns to make your task accurate. In filling up your batteries, make sure as well that you are filling them up at the correct level to make your battery efficient in working for your golf buggy and make it last long as well. It will also help you minimize corrosion as well.
Cleaning the top of the batteries with baking soda solution every month is also a good maintenance practice that will help make your batteries last long as well. It is also important that you clean right away any evidence of corrosion for your batteries as well as deposits on the battery top. These usually will cause discharging of the batteries, thus make sure that you keep these in mind when cleaning your batteries.
When charging your batteries, it is also important to check for loose connectors before charging. Charging the batteries daily after use will also help make it efficient and long lasting as well.
Storing the batteries properly is also important factor to make it last long. Especially when your golf buggy batteries will not be used for a long time, it should be fully charged, and stored in a cool dry place. It is also important to disconnect it from the charger. Do not also leave your batteries with the vehicle if you want to store it for quite a long time.
Placing yourself in a scene of perfection – backstage at a fashion show, for example – has implications for personal insecurities. Similarly, pulling up to a hotel where the endless lawns are being trimmed by hand – with scissors – and the verdant foliage looks like a mobile phone screensaver, has the potential to make you feel, well, a little scruffy. Thankfully, the minute my scruffy sandals entered this hallowed scene at the Nam Hai, my old suitcase disappeared out of sight aboard a golf buggy, a cooling cup of passion fruit tea was placed in one hand and a rosewater-scented cold towel pressed into the other. And, somehow, I didn’t feel the least bit out of place.
The exacting lines of slate and grey stone, the mirror-calm pools of water and toned-down, pan-Asian design here will be familiar to anyone who has stayed in another GHM hotel before (The Datai in Langkawi or The Chedi hotels in Muscat or Chiang Mai, for example). The organisation choruses that it’s a "style to remember" – and indeed it is.
The enormous pavilion that ushers you into the resort and wields its might atop a series of stone stairs ought to look menacing, but then a phalanx of staff in white uniforms breezes past, bidding you xin chao (hello) with genuine warmth to put you at ease.
While the Nam Hai’s design is broadly Asian, the architects responsible have also worked on a couple of Vietnam’s newest luxury beach resorts, the Six Senses Con Dao and the forthcoming Alila Villas in Mui Ne. And in the Nam Hai, they have made sure that local accents keep the resort rooted to its location. Ruler-straight avenues of palm trees that contour the main swimming pool are strung with lime-green lanterns, alluding to the silk lanterns that decorate the enchanting nearby town of Hoi An. Materials are locally sourced: black marble, terracotta roof tiles and balau wood.
The design imprint comes into its own at the spa, which meanders alongside a large, lotus-dotted pond – a scene so serene that you could get away with just sitting down and listening to the chirrup of the wildlife instead of indulging in the traditional Vietnamese or Himalayan hot stone massages.
If there were ever a time to feel insecure though, it would be at breakfast. Among the well-behaved younger guests evidently at ease in this sort of environment was a child sporting Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses, while the buffet proffered rabbit stew and chilled champagne, alongside fresh fruit, baguettes and cao lau – the local fiery dish of noodles, pork, croutons and herbs better appreciated with a cold beer than hot coffee. If the piquant flavours tickle your tastebuds, the Nam Hai offers cookery classes that visit a local market and the resort’s (perfectly trimmed) organic farm.
Location
The resort opens onto Ha My beach on Vietnam’s central coast; I barely saw another person here during my stay. One of the Nam Hai’s biggest assets is its proximity to the enchanting town of Hoi An. A free shuttle bus makes the 10-minute journey four times a day, taking you to the Unesco-listed town famed for its tailors, colonial architecture and fairytale lanterns. The bus doesn’t operate at dinnertime, so instead take a taxi (120,000 dong/£3.70) and try cheap and authentic white rose dumplings and cao lau. Da Nang airport is 30km north.
Comfort
The Nam Hai comprises 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas that range from one to five bedrooms in size, arranged so discreetly that even after four days I still hadn’t worked out where they had put them all. My one-bedroom villa formed part of a crescent that arched back from the beach, giving all an unencumbered sea view.
Inside, the huge space lay under a pitched roof and rose through three levels, from the sitting room that opened onto a neat little garden; to a six-poster that enveloped the bed and behind it, a sunken stone bath and floor-cushioned sofa; and finally a bathroom that opened onto a tropical garden with outdoor shower. The stepped layout means that wherever you are – bed, bath or sofa, you can see the sea (and the sunrise if you’re up early enough) through the floor-to-ceiling windows. At night, muslin curtains and fragrant citronella candles transform it to an intimate space.
The palette is made up of dark hardwood, white walls, dark rattan ceiling panels and stony-hued fabrics. Finally, the iPod put mine to shame, with an exhaustive library that spanned Frank Sinatra to Fatboy Slim.
The Nam Hai, Hamlet 1, Dien Duong Village, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (00 84 510 394 0000; thenamhai.com).
Rooms Value Service
Doubles start at US$540 (£360), including breakfast. Virgin Holidays+Hip Hotels (0844 573 2460; vhiphotels.com) offers seven-night packages from £2,379 per person including flights from Heathrow via Singapore, transfers and B&B.
From the second the black helicopter landed at Ellerslie racecourse, you just knew it must be a winning tip.
Trouble is, no one seemed to know who the long blond-haired guy was in the pink shirt and dark shades who was chauffered to the stand in a golf buggy with his girlfriend.
That is, until after the Barfoot & Thompson 2400 – too late to back super impressive winner Sirani.
Turns out, David “Jumbo” Royds and Natasha Newman were just part of a big team of supporters there to cheer on the Matamata mare, owned by friends Belinda Scott, her brother Paul Dearden, and Hastings breeder Mick Ormond.
They’d come a long way, this cheer squad – many from England – and while Royds had his superyacht moored in the Viaduct harbour, his helicopter flit was from Kauri Cliffs where he’d had a quick round of golf that morning.
“They told me I had to be here because this mare was a dead cert,” Royds said after Sirani came from near last on the turn to score, easily, by 1 1/2 lengths. “I even got the quinella. It’s almost paid for the heliocopter trip.”
It was a happy throng which packed the winners’ circle bar afterwards, English accents predominating, as Scott thanked the club and its sponsors for making their Rugby World Cup trip so memorable.
“If the ABs don’t win, well … No, we need to make it a double, that would be the icing on the cake.”
While Scott has lived in England for the last 30 years, and her husband Andrew came here supporting the English team, she is a Hastings girl at heart.
“I grew up next to Mick Ormond in Hawke’s Bay.
“My dad James Dearden was a farmer, but he was mad keen on racing – he used to pore over thick stud books for hours – and his dream was to retire to Matamata to breed and sell horses.
“But dad died at the age of 47. I’m doing this for dad.”
It was almost a given that Guy Sargent would train for Scott when she was talked into racing a horse by Ormond.
But Sargent, one of her closest friends, said he was under considerable pressure getting yesterday’s result, knowing how far the cheer squad had come for the race.
“I told Guy it would be really good if she could race while we were in Auckland and he obliged us,” Scott said.
It’s been far from plain sailing for Sargent and he was understandably chuffed to have victory from only 10 starts.
The well-bred Galileo five-year-old had been plagued by injuries since scoring an impressive win at Ellerslie in January, 2010, he said.
The worst, a hock injury, came after she fell when a loose horse collided with her one day at the track.
“The hock became infected and she was out for a year,” Sargent said. “But she’s had lots of other little niggly things too.”
Sargent now hopes Sirani will stay sound and fulfil Scott’s ambitions to race in big events like the Melbourne Cup one day.
“She’s a very good staying mare,” Sargent said. “We’ll try to get some black type going up the grades and hopefully get one of those two mile races in the autumn.”
One thing’s for sure, Scott and her party will need little convincing to make a return trip, rugby or no, judging by the number of $50 bills being flashed around afterwards.
Unless you either always play your golf whilst using a golf buggy or are one of those rare breed called a golf professional then the purchase of a scorecard wallet is a vital purchase.
In a golf buggy your scorecard will inevitably be clipped to the steering wheel. As a golf professional you will usually have a caddy to help you to keep your records.
So we take it for granted that your card will require some basic protection. It will be necessary to protect it from the weather and to avoid any rough treatment during the round of golf. So you have to make a choice.
Do you want the normal run of the mill plastic wallet. This item is usually made of plastic with two clear pockets welded to the inside. Easy to slip your scorecard into the pockets for protection. This type of wallet usually has a pocket for a short pencil.
A more permanent item is usually made from leather. These are far more substantial and far more durable. The same clear pockets are required but these are usually stitched in place. The leather outer has a material lining and a loop stitched inside for the pencil.
The clear pocket is the place to also keep a handicap calculator chart or a course yardage a chart. Both of these are desirable for use on your round of golf.
The front on both these sorts of wallet usually carry some sort of printing. Quite a popular logo is one of your respective golf club. This makes the item appealing to your golf professional to sell.
Different club crests also attract those golfers who like to collect personalised merchandise. The leather variety, more often than not, are seized upon by companies who have printed on them their company logo. This form of advertising is quite popular. They are often given away at company golf days or prestigious golf events as presents.
One very valuable and often overlooked use of a scorecard wallet is the opportunity for it to act as a golfing diary and note jotter. Each time you find something which has been of assistance on the golf course always remember to jot it down immediately. When playing your own course log down markers such as trees from where you were successful hitting a particular club onto a green.
No one needs to know that you are writing notes. This may be a reason for minor ridicule by fellow golfers but they are the ones who are missing the trick. Keep a blank piece of paper in you wallet. On the occasion when you need to record your score take the chance to write a reminder of what it was that helped you.
When all your little reminders are edited you will find that as if by magic you have your own golfing manual written specifically for you, by you. Invaluable if you are to progress with further improvement in the game.
Swansea have been dealt another defensive blow ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Brom, with Steven Caulker set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury.
The 19-year-old on-loan centre-half has started all four of the Swans Premier League games to date but damaged his cartilage after twisting his knee making a brave goal-line clearance in the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last weekend, and will return to parent club Tottenham for treatment.
A Swansea statement read: “A scan this week confirmed the injury and Caulker will return to White Hart Lane to be assessed further by club specialists when a further update will follow.”
Swansea are already without Alan Tate, who recently broke his leg in a golf buggy accident, although captain Garry Monk could be in line for a rapid return after stepping up his return from a foot injury.
Manager Brendan Rodgers, who returned to training on Thursday following the death of his father, has also not been helped by the delay in receiving international clearance for deadline day signings Darnel Situ and Rafik Halliche, leaving him short of options at the back.
Midfielder Kemy Agustien, who had been identified as a possible solution to the defensive shortage, is also out after suffering a hamstring injury against Arsenal.
But midfielder Wayne Routledge is back in training after missing out at the Emirates with an ankle problem.
No doubt he is playing a round of golf while the war goes on….. Oh dear now every golf course in Libya is a target for attack….SORRY….
The self proclaimed "great warrior" Gadaffi is currently cowering behind a human shield of women and children waiting for an opportune moment to make his escape on his ridiculous golf buggy/mobility scooter. When and if he makes a dash for freedom I hope that the allies film it before utilising the appropriate ordinance (possibly a firework) to deal with his flimsy chariot. You've Been Framed are always looking for material.
I always thought the Germans were the worst golf players, always diving into the nearest bunker (just a little light hearted joke, no intended racism directed to our German friends).
There's one thing if they miss him, he'll be able to score an hole in one a lot easier, just imagine the size of crater that one of those bombs would create,,, bloody huge,,, if he can't score a hole in one in in one of them he deserves to be blown up.
If you are a lover of the game of golf, you may be familiar with the costly batteries that you need for your golf cart or your golf buggy. Of course, it is not as simple as recharging them again for your use. When you eventually charge and discharge your batteries, you eventually find it costly to replace inefficient batteries.
When it is time for replacement, you will eventually feel the costly replacement of batteries. However, you can do something to make your cart’s batteries work efficiently and last longer. Of course, your golf cart battery maintenance is an important part of your cost cutting means when it comes to making your cart efficient and working.
If you want to make your cart battery last longer, which for sure allows you to save money in purchasing new ones, here are a few things that you may want to keep in mind in maintaining your golf buggy.
Check your batteries regularly. It is in meticulous checking up that you can actually find leaks and other possible damages with your batteries. The earlier you can find solutions to these problems, the more efficient your battery can run to supply power to your golf cart.
One of the maintenance routine you need is to check for cracks, for defects as well as check and clean the terminals and make sure they are free of dust, dirt, water as well as corrosion. However, it is equally important to make sure that you observe safety precautions when doing the cleaning and maintenance, as dealing with lead acid batteries can be harmful to you especially when in contact with your skin.
In maintaining and cleaning your batteries, make sure you only use distilled water or de-ionised water for your safety. If you want your batteries to last long, you need to first check the manufacturer’s instructions on how you can take good care of your machine. Of course, it is also important that you know the recommended ways of cleaning your golf buggy’s power source so that it can work efficiently for you and can also last longer before replacement is needed.
When doing the maintenance check up, make sure that the vent caps are tight and make sure as well that you have the right equipment and tools for the cleaning.
Another important consideration in maintaining the efficiency of your golf cart batteries is to make sure that the charging is done correctly. You may need to drain the battery before charging it and making sure as well that you are not overcharging it or you are also charging it completely. This is an essential part of your golf cart battery maintenance that will help make your battery have a longer life.
When adding water to your batteries, it is also important to keep in mind to make sure to fill the batteries just at the right level of water. Only add water just enough to cover the plates.
Indeed, you can do something to lengthen the life of your batteries. With proper golf cart battery maintenance and care, you can also cut cost in purchasing a new battery early.
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BARRY LICHTER
