Royal St George’s will host the 2015 Simpson Cup, a Ryder Cup-style competition between injured servicemen and veterans from Great Britain and America, from 20-23 September, 2015.
The Simpson Cup (www.simpsoncup.com), inaugurated in 2012 by local Kent golfer John Simpson, aims to raise funds and awareness for the On Course Foundation, a charitable organisation registered in both the UK and the US.
All the competitors taking part are members of the On Course Foundation which helps men and women who were injured, sick or wounded in the line of duty to rebuild their lives by giving them the opportunity to play the game and gain employment in the golf industry.
Simpson, who himself has only one fully-functioning leg as a result of suffering polio as a child, was born in the county, attended St Lawrence College Ramsgate and is a member of Royal St George’s, so this year’s event carries something extra special as it is being played at his home club.
“I am humbled that the Simpson Cup will be taking place at such an historic course,” comments Simpson, the Chairman and Founder of the On Course Foundation. “The competition and the events leading up to it encapsulate what the On Course Foundation is all about – giving these incredible people the opportunity to shape their futures, both in terms of playing golf and building a sustainable career, which is the very least they deserve.
“Each year we’ve seen the most moving and inspiring stories emerge. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the class of 2015 has in store for us, and it will be a privilege to see these heroes putting on another terrific spectacle at a course I hold so close to my heart.”
An Opening Ceremony at 5pm on Sunday, 20th September, will launch the competition with a march-past from the Coldstream Guards, a rifle shot segue into the National Anthem and a Spitfire flypast. The following day sees the player/sponsors’ competition taking place, before the tournament begins in earnest on Tuesday, 22nd September, with six four-ball matches followed by 12 singles matches on Wednesday, 23rd September.
The whole event is open to the public and is free of charge.
The Simpson Cup is the marquee event for the charity and, in addition to Sawgrass (2012), has graced the esteemed golf courses of Royal Lytham & St Annes (2013) and the Congressional Country Club (2014).
Team USA will arrive at Royal St George’s as the defending champions, having lured the Cup away from Team GB at Congressional after they had clinched the previous two events. This year former Ryder Cup captain, Bernard Gallacher, takes the reins of UK team.
The 128-year-old Royal St George’s Golf Club, which has hosted The Open Championship on 14 occasions, echoed Simpson’s delight at adding this unique tournament to its already-impressive history.
“When John broached the idea of having the Simpson Cup at Royal St George’s, we jumped at the chance to be involved,” a Club statement read. “The continued growth and success of the competition – and indeed the On Course Foundation too – has been wonderful to see. John is held in such high regard both at our club and in this area, and it is a great honour for us to be a part of the fantastic work he and his team are doing.”
Royal St George’s is a member of the Visit Kent Marketing Programme, Golf in Kent that promotes Kent as one of the premier golfing destinations in England, thanks to its championship links and inland gems, easy accessibility from London and Europe and its wealth of historical, cultural and gastronomic off-course attractions.
Royal St George’s www.royalstgeorges.com
Simpson Cup www.simpsoncup.com