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Footballers on the fairways: Kevin Davies tells us why soccer stars love golf

And picks the footballers he'd want his Ryder Cup squad

Kevin on the 18th at Shadow Creek for the 2013 Westwood Cup
Image: Kevin on the 18th at Shadow Creek for the 2013 Westwood Cup

Former England and Bolton striker Kevin Davies explains why footballers are drawn to the fairway and who'd make his Ryder Cup team...

Footballers seem to have a pretty strong relationship with golf, why? Well, more often than not on Monday we're finished by 1pm. Obviously, if you're a professional like me it will be a bit later...

You can be away by 2pm most days so footballers have often got quite a bit of free time on their hands. Managers don't want players playing beyond Wednesday to ensure we get plenty of rest before the game, but it's a great way of getting out and about with a few of boys and having some down time. 

We never take it too seriously. There's often a little bet of £5-£10 here and there to make things a little bit interesting but it's always friendly, fun and relaxing. 

It's an addictive sport. You hit one good shot, then one bad one and it's frustrating, you just want to get out there and get better. I don't even know what my handicap is, I rarely hand my card in. 

I've played on some fantastic courses in the past. Some of the ones in Dubai are amazing and it's always enjoyable playing with a bit of sun of your back. I've played at Celtic Manor, Bay Hill and Shadow Creek in Vegas a couple of summers ago. That was in the Westwood Cup, it’s like the Ryder Cup for footballers. There were cameras following us all around - it was a bit nerve-wracking. I partnered Kevin Phillips and was ok, but in the singles I went to pieces. The games went to a tie, but Dwight Yorke representing the rest of the world and James Milner for England tied coming down at the last.

My team

When asked to pick two pairs for a fourball competition I had to of course include myself, but here are three other footballers I'd want playing with me...

Matt Le Tissier (playing captain)

VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND - MAY 22:  Matt Le Tissier hits an approach shot during the Pro-Am round prior to the BMW PGA Championship on the West Course at We
Image: Matt Le Tissier would be Kevin's captain

If you follow him on Twitter @mattletiss7 you'll know he's always playing golf. Matt's an ex-team-mate of mine and a sensational golfer. I'd make him captain as well because he's sensible and would make a great leader. He plays off something ridiculous like one or two. He's also great company.

Chris 'Kammy' Kamara

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Kammy played at one of my charity golf days in Bolton when he was just starting out at golf. I'm not sure how good he is now but I'm including him for his other qualities - I'll call it 'team spirit'. He's a great character and his golf impressed me at the time when he was playing off 24/26 - but he was very steady. I wouldn't call him a bandit and I've not played him in a while but I know he likes to play and he'd bring along his personality.

Chris Eagles

Chris Eagles of Bolton Wanderers
Image: Kevin's former Bolton team mate Chris Eagles gets the nod

Chris is an old team-mate of mine and a good golfer. I'm putting him in the team for his character and team spirit. He's really got that will to win. Like me he can go from a birdie to a triple bogey instantly but that's the way most footballers are. We tend to have a good hole and then a bad one, but in the Ryder Cup format I think he'd come in handy. Chris would be the one to help gel the team together.

Matt and I are probably the most sensible of the four so we'd pair off with one of the Chrises each. I also have to give notable shout outs to Paul Robinson, Robbie Blake, Sam Ricketts, Matt Mills and David Healy who are all pretty good golfers and would make my Team Europe.

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