Nigel Mansell in action at Kingsbarns, Scotland Picture David Cheskin

When Hampshire Seniors golf captain George Wirgman lost one of his three Channel Island-based stars from his team before today’s South East League Final, he called up his secret weapon … former F1 champion Nigel Mansell.

The 56-year-old Jersey resident was so keen to make his competitive debut for the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands over 55s side that he agreed to fly his private jet over to Luton himself to play against Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire in today’s final at nearby Dunstable Downs GC.

Wirgman revealed that Mansell even flew over last week to play the Bedfordshire course to prepare for his Hampshire debut. The Brummie also produced a written report about the course for his new captain to help with the team’s preparation as they prepare to face their bogey team – Hampshire and the islands have played in the final three times over the last seven years and lost to Berks and Co on every occasion.

Mansell has never liked finishing second throughout a distinguished career behind the wheel, and will no doubt be doing his very best to put Hampshire IoW and the CI in the driving seat this afternoon.