Hats off - it's a change of sport for Welsh keeper Jones

The 44-year-old Felpham-based golfer picked up a club for the first time just five years ago but is already playing off an impressive nine handicap and hoping to reduce it further this summer.

Jones (pictured), who amassed 50 caps for Wales during a 20-year career, will join more than 120 amateur golfers in the one-day televised golf event at historic Golf At Goodwood in what is widely acclaimed to be golf’s answer to t20 cricket.

Jones said: “I play in quite a lot of charity golf days including The Variety Club Golf Society but this will certainly be the biggest individual event I have competed in so I have been putting in a lot of practice. As Goodwood is my home club I hope to have an added advantage”.

This popular tournament was created by menswear designer William Hunt to give amateur golfers across England, Ireland and Scotland the chance to emulate their sporting heroes and play in a national tournament shown on Sky Sports under pressures like those in a pro tour event.

This year more than 1,200 golfers have entered the nine regional finals around the UK, many of which are sold out through the growing demand for this unique Stableford event.

Last year’s national champion was Goodwood member Chris Dyson.