Fairway to heaven: Icons of Football tee up for swings and banter

Bob ScottFriday, February 28, 2025Last Updated: Friday, February 28, 2025

212 3 minutes read

Fairway to heaven: Icons of Football tee up for swings and banter

Picture by The Thaiger

Sparks flew and banter soared as football legends clashed over the fairway before the Icons of Football golf tournament tee-off this weekend. With friendly jabs and claims sure to slice through the tension, the stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of links and laughs.

In a scene teeming with jabs heftier than a golf club, Team England and Team World exchanged cheeky digs, friendly insults, and banter ahead of this weekend’s much-anticipated Icons of Football golf tournament. Peppered with playful putts and parries, the event promises more than just a game of golf.

Team England captain Lee Westwood kicked off the banter by suggesting a “hair off” competition between Ex Fulham, Hull City and Wigan playmaker Jimmy Bullard and former Newcastle United, Tottenham and PSG star David Ginola, both known as much for their flowing locks as their on-pitch performances. It didn’t take long for the irrepressible Bullard to take a swing.

“Look at him! Red hot! He’s a beautiful man! But you’ve got no chance this weekend, son.”

Amidst the hullabaloo, Frenchman Ginola maintained his poise, responding only with his trademark Gallic grin, leaving Bullard’s words to hang in the air like a wayward tee shot.

Westwood, buoyed by an air of confidence, added, “It’ll be tense, but we’ll see that trophy coming home.”

Fairway to heaven: Icons of Football tee up for swings and banter | News by Thaiger — The Thaiger editor Will Scott with David Ginola, subject of his new book The Entertainers while being photo bombed by Ruud Gullit

The former world golf No.1’s quip, tipped with nostalgia, evoked the beloved Euro 96 song Three Lions by Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds. Manchester United’s legendary shotstopper Peter Schmeichel jumped on Westwood’s song reference quicker than a loose ball in the penalty box.

“Football hasn’t come home yet and it won’t this weekend. England always talk a really good game, and they did, I thank them for the entertainment. We have a team who have won a lot of international trophies whereas England has a habit of finishing second. And that is going to happen again this weekend.”

Netherlands icon Ruud Gullit joined his Team World colleague with another painful reminder that England’s poor record with penalties doesn’t bode well for the weekend’s contest.

“We hope they aren’t as bad playing golf as taking penalties. Although we’d be happy if they get a lot of penalties.”

Former Liverpool striker and cheeky Scouser Robbie Fowler hit back, promising fierce competition peppered with camaraderie. Echoing his past football rivalries, he mused, “We’re all looking forward to the challenge,” before delivering a sly putt at Ryder Cup legend Sergio Garcia.

“I know our captain’s better than Sergio. It’s been proven.”

When Westwood pointed out that Garcia had won more Ryder Cup points than any other European player, the cheeky Scouser came back with a killer line.

“That was years ago. I don’t keep going on about how many Premier League titles I’ve won, do I?”

Of course, eagle-eyed football fans will know Fowler didn’t win a Premier League title as a player.

Paul Ince, stirred the pot further, confident in Team England’s advantage after drawing first blood in a fourball competition with Fowler against Patrik Berger and Dwight York late last year.

Meanwhile, Team World’s Gianfranco Zola and Nemanja Vidic exuded steadfast certainty, prepared to let their clubs do the talking on the greens and fairways.

Finally, Paul Scholes shared his thoughts on the course’s signature hole, the par 3 10th, a hole that is worth US$10 million for the golfer lucky enough to get a hole in one, and US$1 million each for two lucky punters on the day.

“Yes, I got on the green in my practice round, with my second shot!”

With pride at stake and a fairway full of jesters revving up, this clash on the course promises to be as enjoyable and unpredictable as a chip from the fringe.

As an official sponsor, The Thaiger is thrilled to offer 10 exclusive VIP tickets at a massive 50% discount, dropping from 28,000 baht to just 14,700 baht.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness sporting greatness up close, enjoy premium hospitality, and rub shoulders with football royalty.

General admission tickets for the event are priced at 650 baht for a single-day pass on either Saturday or Sunday, while a weekend ticket covering both days costs 1,100 baht. Children under the age of 16 can enter for free when accompanied by a paying adult, with a maximum of two children per adult ticket.

For more details, visit www.icons-series.com

Bob Scott

Bob Scott is an experienced writer and editor with a passion for travel. Born and raised in Newcastle, England, he spent more than 10 years in Asia. He worked as a sports writer in the north of England and London before relocating to Asia. Now he resides in Bangkok, Thailand, where he is the Editor-in-Chief for The Thaiger English News. With a vast amount of experience from living and writing abroad, Bob Scott is an expert on all things related to Asian culture and lifestyle.