'It's a great escape' - DP World Tour card contender doubles up as football club chairman
Englishman opens up on how role with local club helps him ‘escape’ from golf
Matthew Southgate has spoken about how his role as chairman of a football club has helped him face the challenge of trying to win back a DP World Tour card.
The 38-year-old came into this week’s Grand Final on the Hotel Planner Tour sitting in the 15th and final card position and had jumped to eighth on the points list at the halfway stage at Club de Golf Alcanada in Mallorca.
Southgate has made more than 300 appearances on the DP World Tour, where he held a card for eight consecutive campaigns before losing his seat at the top table at the end of 2024.
Through logos on both his golf bag and clothing, the Englishman is flying the flag for Leigh Ramblers FC, his local club in Southend-on-Sea in Essex.
“It’s a bit of a long story, really,” he said, smiling, to being asked by The Scotsman in Port d’Alcudia about his connection. “I played for the club when I was a kid and my dad played for the club.
“I struggled mentally around 2012 and 2013 when I was new to pro golf and travelling and stuff like that. I just felt a bit overwhelmed being at the golf club all the time, so I started going back to the football club on a Saturday. They are a big amateur football club and we have hundreds of people who play for the club.
“Then, after going for a few years, the opportunity to become the chairman came up and I’d had some good seasons on the tour and felt like I’d love to give back to the local community. I kind of explored doing that through golf, but golf is a lot more time-consuming, so I tried to give it a go with the football club and it has been great for me and great for the club. I love it.
“It’s been a great escape for me getting away from the golf and I think being a professional sportsman, I think a lot of the young players respect me and I respect them. It’s a massive part of my life being part of the football club. I don’t know what I would do without it.”
Southgate, who has made eight appearances in The Open, is on course to be back playing on the main tour after opening with scores of 70 and 65 in Mallorca to sit five shots off the lead, held by Frenchman Julien Pace.
“Yeah, absolutely,” said Southgate of this being a good time to regain his status, with lots of talk about how there are going to be more playing opportunities for players in 2027. “I am 38 now and, from a personal level, I just want to be the best player I can be.
“I’m not beyond the belief of doing big things. I like to play on the main tour because the competition is so high and it is a lovely test all the time. The sun is going to come up on Monday morning regardless of what I should on Saturday and Sunday here.
“I’d love to go and rejoin some old friends and play at some great venues on the main tour. But, if I have to stay here to develop my game or play limited starts, then fine I will do that.
“It’s a very similar situation to Eddie Pepperell, you know. Too good to call it a day but trying to find some form that reflects how you’ve played the last 20 years, which is a long time.”
Another experienced campaigner battling it out among 45 players in the season finale is David Horsey, a four-time tour winner with more than 400 appearances under his belt.
“Yeah, everything really,” admitted the 41-year-old of what it would mean to get his card back, having been back on the HotelPlanner Tour for the last three years.
“When you’ve got more to give and you feel like you are playing well, it is hard to give it up. It’s a great life we live and, yeah, I just want to keep going, really. Our kids are young - five, three and one - and it would be nice for them to watch me play and stuff like that motivates you as well.”
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