With the Toffees facing the Reds this Sunday in the cross-town rivals’ latest battle for English Premier League bragging rights, Joondalup pub owner Paul Elliott has recalled the time he lived an Everton fan’s dream.
Last December, the English expat found himself pitched against Socceroos great and former Liverpool playmaker Harry Kewell in a title fight at a Pro-Am in Queensland.
Kewell’s first-ever goal for the Reds was against Everton in a 3-0 derby triumph in 2003.
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Everton was never far from conversation when Elliott had the opportunity to chat with Kewell.
‘Don’t think I didn’t mention that (allegiance to Everton) when I met him,’ he said.
It’s easy to imagine then, how elated Elliott was when he and Gold Coast pro Steven Jeffress beat Kewell and Victorian pro Euan Walters, by six strokes.
Elliott conceded left-hander Kewell, was no slouch with a golf club.
‘He was playing off an 18 handicap and he’s pretty good,’ he said.
‘It was quite a surprise (to win) he and his pro had the lead on day one.
‘But on the final day we had a four-shot lead; we just gelled and creamed it.’
Furthermore, the victory meant Elliott would qualify for an international pro-am ” the First Tee Open ” at the prestigious Pebble Beach in the US this September.
It signalled a rapid rise for Elliott in amateur competition, with the Bailey Bar and Bistro publican having only played seriously for the past 18 months.
He is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with world-class golfers such as two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer and American great Mark O’Meara.