I nearly won The Open Championship, now I run a vineyard and name wines after icons like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus
GOLF legend David Frost has enjoyed an unusual second act to his career since retiring from the game in the nineties.
The South African owns a winery in the Western Cape and names his wines after icons of the game.
Among his best-selling are the Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus vintages.
Although he retired from the top of the game in 1994 – Frost is still a regular on the senior tour aged 63.
The 10-time PGA Tour winner, and now six-time victor on the Champions Tour, says that a second act in wine-making always felt natural given he is the son of a South African vineyard owner.
He said: “I play full time on the Champions Tour. I enjoy playing and that, as well as drinking and selling wine, [it] keeps me going,
“I enjoy a glass or two at night. It’s more than just a hobby for me. I have a little portfolio of wines that I distribute in the States and it will give me something to do after golf in a couple of years time.
“I’m the third generation in the business. I grew up on a grape farm and golf got in the way somewhere – it took me off course.”
With the Open Championship teeing off in Liverpool this week, Frost will have to wait another fortnight until the senior event.
The seniors, which is open to players over the age of 50, will tee off at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales.
Reflecting on his own experiences in the regular Open, Frost spoke to The Scotsman ahead of last year’s championship at St Andrews.
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His best performance came in a sixth place finish at Muirfield in 1987, when he was in the last group on Sunday with Paul Azinger when Nick Faldo, with the Brit coming out on top.
Frost said: “That was a great experience as I was very young back then – just 26.
“At Carnoustie in 1999, I was in the second last group with Justin Leonard and hit it in the water at 18.”
“But Muirfield was a better finish for me. I remember leaving it in the bunker on 16 and the next shot I holed for a par – that was one of my highlights [at the Open].”
The Open in Liverpool this year is the final chance of a major for competitors this season.
Rory McIlroy enters the tournament as favourite after an impressive showing at the Scottish Open this weekend.