T-Time Podcast // Ep. 33: A Golf Trip Turned Tradition with Oli Bell
Tori is excited today to have Oliver Bell on the podcast. They met in Scotland last September, both on their final day of the trip playing at Kingsbarns. It was a bit of a blur, but they both remember running into each other at the airport the next day, so Tori thought it would be great to have Oli on the show to share their story and tell the audience a bit about it what he does.
Who is Oliver Bell?
Oli Bell is a UK-based sports broadcaster who primarily focuses on horse racing, occasionally covering other sports such as football (soccer), snooker, and darts. He works for ITV, covering significant events such as the Royal Ascot. With around 15 years of experience, he feels fortunate to have a job he loves. It's taken him to different parts of the world, including Australia. He considers it more of a hobby than work and feels lucky to get paid for it.
How He Began as a Sports Broadcaster
Oli's family background in horse racing played a significant role in his career as a sports broadcaster. His uncle was a racehorse trainer who worked with the Queen, and his father was also in the same field. Despite not being well-behaved growing up, Oli knew from an early age that he wanted to work in sports. He started off as a tea maker and worked his way up to where he is now, driven by his passion for the field.
2022 Golf Trip to Scotland Lineup
The original women’s lineup for the trip was as follows:
Monday, September 19th:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, golf & lunch at North Berwick, Links Course, dinner at Terra Marique or Devil’s Advocate
Tuesday, September 20th:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, golf, and lunch at Gullane, No. 1, and dinner at Topolabanba
Wednesday, September 21st:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, transfer to 5-star Old Course Hotel, day of leisure, spa afternoon at Old Course Hotel Spa, dinner at Jigger Inn
Thursday, September 22nd:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, golf, and lunch at Carnoustie Golf Links, Championship Course, dinner at The Adamson Braisserie
Friday, September 23rd:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, golf, and lunch at St. Andrews Links, The New Course, dinner at Forgan's
Saturday, September 24th:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, golf, and lunch at Kingsbarns Golf Links, farewell dinner at Old Course Hotel
Sunday, September 25th:
Scottish breakfast at the hotel, depart out of Edinburgh Airport.
However, this had to be changed because of the Queen’s funeral. Tori and her group played at North Berwick, Dumbarnie Golf Course, Carne Golf Links, and St. Andrews New Course and finished at Kingsbarns. However, their original lineup had to be changed due to the Queen's funeral. Oliver's team played at Kingsbarns on the first and third days, but he couldn't remember the name of the course they played on day two. Their trip was done over three days, Ryder-Cup style
Oliver’s Guys’ Golf Trip
Oliver's guys’ golf trip is called the Bear Fight Invitational, and it's a group of 12 friends from different schools and universities. There's an older and a younger team. They've been playing on the Bear Fight for around 12-13 years, and it's an excellent way for them to stay in touch. They play on top 100 links courses in the UK and have even gone to France. The younger team is better at golf, but the older team has more fun. They wear silly outfits and follow the Ryder Cup format. They drink, dance, have fun along the way, and hope to win the trophy.
How the Planning for the Trip is Done
Jack is in charge of organizing the Bear Fight Invite. The trip is announced a year in advance and is at a top 100 links course in the UK. Accommodation is difficult for such a large group, so Jack handles that, and everyone pays their share in installments. If someone misses two years in a row, they lose their spot to a first reserve. The trip is a holiday, and everyone commits to taking time off work. Having a planner in the group is important to make the trip run smoothly.
Why the Guys’ Trip is Important to Oliver
The trip is necessary for Oli for several reasons:
- It allows him to maintain genuine friendships with people who have known him for a long time and accept him for who he is. These are the people he values most as his true friends. He considers these friendships more important than the superficial ones he encounters in the showbiz world.
- It allows him to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and switch off from the distractions of modern life. The stunning golf courses all around Europe offer a chance to see and experience the world beyond the screens of phones and laptops. This break from the constant bombardment of technology is a privilege and helps him appreciate the world in a way often forgotten in our busy lives.
Oliver Bell as a Golfer
Oli has a handicap of 7.2 in the English handicap system, which is slightly different from the American system. He explains that in England, the handicap system updates continuously based on your performance, whereas in the past, it was based on an average of three submitted scores. Oli admits that he plays intermittently and would probably place himself around a 10-handicap. Despite not having had any lessons or practice, he enjoys playing golf whenever he can and makes the same mistakes repeatedly until he hits a good shot.
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