The Great Golf ball hunt

A moment of (possibly drunken) weakness led me to agree to organise a golf ball dive - October 2003. The South Hams Radio Trust supports local causes and one previous fundraiser was to dive for golf balls and sell them back to the club. A press gang approach was adopted at the clubhouse to get enough volunteers for 2 evening dives at the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club.

We were greeted at the golf club by staff and buggies and set off to Lake 3. As I descended I found I could see at least a foot! Then I picked up the first ball and the viz became nil. The balls were everywhere so it was easy enough to find them by feeling through the blancmange like mud. Habit forced me to check my gauges throughout the dive, but to no avail. I had no idea how deep I was, how long I’d been there, or how much air I had left! I was laughing to myself, but this is not for the inexperienced diver. Boredom, coldness or heavy goody bags generally brought each of us to the surface! Typically, Martin managed to find 2 crayfish and a golf club in addition to a bag of balls.

The golf club supplied us with hoses for our kit, and sauna, jacuzzi and a meal for us. The result was 2.5 dustbins full of balls - approximately 3200. This means £320 for local charities. I did a radio report on the event and was able to promote the club and our "come and try it" dives.

Huge thanks to Monday’s team; Peter B, Martin, Alec, Adrian, Simon L, Malcolm and Kate. And the same to Tuesday’s team; Peter B (again) Sarah, Richard W, Paul, Mike, Lis and Allen

Next time some of you others can have a go too!

Bella