Kent Golf Union President Christopher Tappin spent his time playing golf in the prison
Testimony to the fact that golf remains one of the most addictive sport, extradited Englishman Christopher Tappin spent most of his time playing golf in his cell.
He was accused of arms smuggling, and was extradited to the United States, where he served in a remote New Mexico correction facility.
Tappin, the President of Kent Golf Union was released on bail on Wednesday and is now residing at his lawyer’s place in Texas, fitted with an electronic tag to monitor his movement.
Tappin revealed that he utilised whatever was available in his cell and played golf using a stick as a club and a tissue rolled and hardened with soap, as the ball.
He used the tea cup as the hole and played several rounds of golf during his stay in the bleak cell.
He said, "I shot a 68 and a 66 and didn't miss a fairway. That kept my spirits up. I had my walking stick and I made up a golf ball, using tissues toughened up with soap, and played rounds of golf. I had a cup and I putted into it. I played several golf courses in my mind".
Tappin described the conditions as nerve-wrecking and it was a difficult time for him to cope with the situation.
Tappin was accused of shipping 50 Eagle Picher batteries to Iran, an elementary part used in the manufacturing of Hawk, the surface-to-air missile system.
Although Tappin dismissed the accusations and stated that he never knew where else the batteries can be used. He lost his case after a two-year-long court battle and was extradited to the US.
He added, "The first 36 hours were the most difficult. I didn't see anybody in that time. I found that very, very difficult. You have no idea of what time of day it is. You go to sleep about 6pm, then there's a cacophony of noise about 8pm".
The Englishman is now serving his time at his Lawyer’s sprawling home in the gated community of Houston Texas, often dubbed as the “most celebrated master-planned community”.
His case is still under prosecution and it may take several months before the verdict is given.
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