Why putting needs bottle!

Office Putting Championship under way.

Forget slopes, bunkers, trees, streams and lakes, Tiger Woods had it way too easy at Augusta!

Instead, try holing a 28-foot putt across a slick office carpet, circumnavigating two chair legs and a table, with your back up against a filing cabinet.

Now that's tough.

The Glenlivet Office Putting Challenge at The Ark in West London provided just such a challenge for 250 blue chip companies, whose golfing employees had to overcome such obstacles, many of them while sampling the sponsors' products.

Participants were encouraged to 'hit the bottle' – most of which served as impromptu holes to avoid drilling into the floor! – before celebrating or drowning their sorrows with the amber nectar.

They were literally trying to putt their opponents under the table!

Some coped better than others! Richard Cavell from the Clydesdale Bank kept the clearest head and the smoothest stroke, bagging the first prize of a trip to Montecastillo in Spain, a splendid golf course and resort which in recent years has played host to Europe's finest professional golfers.

He also won a highly coveted, miniature wooden cask of The Glenlivet, which alone would probably have compromised his amateur status!

The defending champion from Spain crashed out in the first round - scuppered by the wheels of an office chair, a waste bin and a potted plant.

Others were foiled by a photo-copier, stymied by a stenographer's notepad or flustered by a fax machine.

Anna Walker and Chris Eubank.

Among those attempting to uphold the finest traditions of this Royal & Ancient pursuit were former world boxing champion Chris Eubank – immaculate as ever in brown and white brogues and matching polo shirt - TV commentator Trevor Brooking and presenter Anna Walker.

Proceeds of the event – a stunning £30,000 – went to the SPARKS children's charity. Brooking and Eubank also took a pot shot at a 40-foot putt which would have earned an extra £20,000 but both missed.

Said Eubank: "I'm no stranger to an enthusiastic
crowd, but I was overwhelmed by the sheer emotional power of heated competition." Never short of an excuse, our Chris!

It was the third year of the championship with companies from as far afield as Japan, Australia and continental Europe taking part.

The essence of the event was encapsulated in the Wilson stand where competitors and supporters tested the skill and nerve while raising £100s for SPARKS.

"We are delighted to be associated with a charity that provides children with the chance of a healthy life," said Angus Moir, business director for Wilson Golf in Europe. "We look forward to supporting the event next year and hopefully raising even more money for such a worthy cause."

Qualification for next year starts soon and to obtain a putting starter pack, to transform your office into a mini golf course, call Katie Schwartz at Circle IMC, (0207 371 0200).