Monday
Apr202009
Golf At Mount Everest!
Reader Phil Young saw today's Pete Dye quote atop the site ("The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody would put a flagstick on top) and says that that an ardent golfer did play Mt. Everest, almost two years ago.
His name is Robie Vaughan. He is a member of the Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas, Texas. He climbed Mt. Everest and actually reached the summit, at which point he took out a three-piece golf club he had designed for carrying in his pack, put it together and hit three balls off the summit!
His golf club was donated to the USGA & is now part of the exhibit with Sheppard's club from the moon.
Monday, April 20, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Reader Comments (5)
You are correct, I reached the summit of Mount Everest at 7am on Friday, May 18, 2007. I was on the summit for 1 hour 20 minutes and among many other things, hit three balls - two towards Tibet (10,000' drop within a few meters) and one over Nepal, back towards the Khumbu Ice Fall.
Background: A good friend and golf partner of mine gave me a retro-fitted (telescopic shaft) 4-iorn two days before departing Dallas in late March. At first, this was casual fun, bordering on a joke, however, I purchased a sleeve of balls at the airport, really not believing I would attempt to carry that extra weight on summit day.
But, I did! Circumstances presented favorable conditions - only 1(~3,500 summiteers) in 10 who have attempted have reached the summit and the ones that do summit are on avareage on thier third attempt. This was my first attempt, and probably last, at age 51at the time.
The USGA expressed interest in "The Everest Club" and I was more than happy to contribute it to the history of golf.
One swing may be viewed on the Exploradus Everest Expedition 2007 DVD that may be ordered at http://headfirstskeleton.com/order.htm at bottom right on page. I was not roped in and had crampons on so I could only deliver a one-half swing not risking losing balance. Nevertheless, the balls rocketed out on a low trajectory increasing speed with distance due to thin air and gravity.
My full diary account of the Exploradus Everest Expedition 2007 may be read at http://www.jmwpmg.com/dispatch-everest07.htm
Robie Vaughn
Reading your post above is truly awe inspiring and makes my hair stand on end. I can only aspire to have the conviction you have.
Good luck on all future endeavors.
Sincerely
Seema
I just found this web page, but I sure wish I had known you before your accent. I am the inventor and manufacturer of the "Whole-In-One" Adjustable club, and I would love to find someone to do exactly what you did...hit some balls off the top of Everest...and many other unique places around the world...and take pictures of themselves doing so.
I have had customers hit balls off the Great Wall of China and other unique places as noted on www.divnickgolf.com/adjustable/reports.html.
So if you ever plan another trip, or if you know someone else who would like to try to replicate your adventure, please let me know.
Steve
www.adjustablegolfclub.com