There’s a new Tiger prowling the fairways

Posted on 09/03/09. Source: Fairway to Green Magazine (By Chris Bartlett)

Henman Hill ... hordes of schoolgirls (and their mums, most of the time) screaming his name ... the onerous weight of a hugely-demanding nation on his shoulders ... they're all forgotten now.

The only sporting pressure Tim Henman feels these days revolves around just how he can squeeze his
golf handicap down from two to scratch.

Oh, and there's the odd wager or two to consider when he's playing with his mates at Sunningdale, the club where he's a member.

Henman, now 34, has swapped the frenzied tension of Wimbledon's Centre Court for the sedate, sweeping fairways of one of the world's best courses. And he's loving every minute.

Looking just as fit and lean as he did when he was the darling of British tennis and rose as high as number four in the world rankings, "Tiger Tim" is relaxing in the TaylorMade adidas Golf tour wagon at the NEC Golf Show, which has proved to be the scene of his latest "sporting triumph".

He was on the winning side after an entertaining on-stage quiz, which also involved teeing off on the first at The Old Course on a simulator - we can reveal that one such drive almost reached the famous
burn at St Andrews, as if to emphasise his unassumingly good golfing prowess.

Delving back into the past, it's clear that the young Henman was destined to make his name in one sporting arena or other. "When I was growing up I played all sorts of sports," he said.

"I probably hit my first golf ball when I was about five, just in the garden at home.

"My dad used to play a bit and I remember going on family holidays to Portugal where golf was certainly involved."

So was there ever a time when another sport might have taken over from tennis at the forefront of Henman's ambitions?

"No. For whatever reason, from a very young age, I always knew I wanted to play tennis - that was the sport I was best at. "But I've always enjoyed golf and would always try to play when I was away from the tennis. I might take a bit of a break and play golf four or five times in the space of two weeks but then that would be it for a few months.

"It was always fitted in around my tennis schedule but I did have the opportunity to play a few courses around the world on my travels - and it was always fun.

"Now I have much more time for golf - which is fantastic."

These days, Henman is more than happy to be out of the spotlight and firmly ensconced in the role of family man and devoted father to three daughters - Rosie, Olivia and Grace - which means that most of his golf takes place during the course of the week. "Because of my family commitments, I don't really play at weekends and that's when most of the competitions are.

"I've only taken part in a couple since I stopped playing tennis and my handicap has come down by a shot. "I'd like to get to scratch so hopefully, if I can play in a few more medals, I will get there. I love social golf and there's always good competition at Sunningdale but I don't have any aspirations beyond that.

"I'm spending a lot of time at home without all the travel, practice and training I used to do. I really am just enjoying the freedom.

"I'm sure in the next few years I'll do something a bit more constructive but it's just fantastic having the opportunity to relax.

"With the kids at such a young age, I feel really fortunate that I have plenty of time to be with them."

Henman is determined not to rush any of his children into tennis - or any other sports avenue for that matter - preferring to let them make up their own minds.

"First and foremost, it needs to be dictated by them but, whatever they want to do, I'll support them.
"It's early days - Olivia, my eldest, is only six. She's athletic but certainly hasn't played any tennis to speak of.

"My wife has horses and she (Olivia) has been on a pony more than she's been on a tennis court." After enjoying life at the top of one sporting tree for so long, Henman is now delighted to be getting his competitive "fix" from golf.

"There are two super courses at Sunningdale and always someone interesting to meet up with.

"A few of the pros practise there so I've had games with people like Paul McGinley and Anthony Wall and I've played quite a bit with Sam Torrance.

"It allows you to see how it's done properly - and there's always a bet going on!"

Last year's golfing highlight came courtesy of an appearance in a European Tour event, alongside
Ryder Cup legend - now captain - Colin Montgomerie, with Kiwi Michael Campbell and Hollywood star Samuel L Jackson making up an interesting fourball.

"The Dunhill Links was great fun and a real treat because I had never played any of the courses  before.

"It's amazing that a course like Kingsbarns has been in existence for just a few years but looks like it's been there forever.

"I've played a bit with Colin over the years and always enjoyed his company. As a team, we missed the cut but I'm sure Monty had more important things to think about than that!

"It was great fun and good to meet so many people, all from different professions, brought together by golf. Hopefully I may get the chance to try again next year."

Talking of fourballs, who would make up the golfing "dream team" for Henman?

"You'd want to play with Woods, wouldn't you? And I've always admired Ernie Els because of that great swing.

"Maybe Sam (Torrance) and I could take on Tiger and Ernie at Sunningdale.

"We'd have to negotiate hard, though, about who was getting the shots on the first tee . . ."