Supporters of junior grass roots golf from the world of business, media and sport made the 22nd Golf Foundation Pro-Am, held at The Buckinghamshire on 13th October, a day to remember.
With strong backing from The European Tour, Tour players and PGA professionals led 22 teams in competition on a superbly set up golf course. Later, generosity from all involved in a raffle and auction led to around £23,000 being raised for the Golf Foundation.
This fundraising event showcases the work of the Foundation in introducing the sport to youngsters and the charity’s development of stronger links between golf clubs and primary and secondary schools, in support of the national golf partnerships of England, Scotland and Wales.
The European Tour has been a partner of the Golf Foundation Pro-Am since it first started in 1986. Here, both organisations are working together to celebrate the legacy of the Foundation’s founding father, and one of the UK’s premier touring golf professionals, Sir Henry Cotton. His passion for golf has been furthered by the Foundation and Tour players in creating eager golfers from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
At this year’s event, in front of the Sky Sports cameras, Tour favourites Neil Coles, Jamie Spence, Paul Way, Stephen Richardson, Nick Job, Tony Charnley and Bill Longmuir were among those who helped their amateur team members around the challenging Buckinghamshire course in good conditions.
The winning team on the day came from the Golf Foundation’s own guest fourball, supported brilliantly by local professional Chris Roake, who carded a stunning 62 as the team amassed 93 points to edge out teams Jersey 1 (91 points) and Sports Marketing Surveys (88 points).
Pro-Am competitors donated £8,430 in a raffle and auction, which was led expertly by George Griffiths, a Golf Foundation supporter and member of The Buckinghamshire. Prizes on the day were provided by Level 4, PING and Titleist, and friends of the Foundation contributed auction items.
Revenue raising opportunities like the Pro-Am remain vital for the Golf Foundation. This year’s funds will go towards the delivery of Foundation initiatives such as Tri-Golf and Golf Xtreme in schools, the provision of the structured learning programme, the Junior Golf Passport, at golf facilities, and the Foundation’s inner-city project, ‘Golf Roots‘, which this year has been taking place in 16 cities.
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org