The Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association are joining forces with Colin Montgomerie in a unique new charity partnership which will give club golfers the opportunity to play with the victorious Ryder Cup captain.
It was announced today that both governing bodies will adopt the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation as their official charity partner, while a new event is being launched which will see Monty lining up alongside eighty club golfers at The Carrick on Loch Lomond in September.
As part of the activities designed to raise £1m for new Maggies Centres in Aberdeen and Lanarkshire, golf clubs across Scotland will also be given the chance to ‘Win Monty for a Day’ in return for their fundraising efforts.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Montgomerie said: “I am delighted to welcome the SGU and SLGA on board as partners of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and hope that members of Scottish golf clubs will get involved these two fantastic initiatives.”
“We’ve already had fantastic support from golfers since I launched the charity back in 2008 and they have helped us towards our fundraising goals. The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation is working with Maggie’s to help many people in Scotland with cancer and I am very proud of this. I am keen to give something back to clubs and their members through this partnership, whether that is playing with them or visiting the club for a day and inspiring their next generation of golfers,” added Montgomerie.
The new SGU and SLGA event will be named ‘Monty’s Monthly Medal’, sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, and qualifying for the event will take place on the weekend of the Open Championship (14 – 17 July). Every club in Scotland will be invited to run a stableford competition alongside their monthly medal or equivalent event that weekend, at a cost of £3 per player. The leading 80 players from across Scotland will qualify for the final, taking place on Monday 19 September at the Carrick on Loch Lomond, with Colin Montgomerie playing a hole with each of the finalists.
A fundraising competition will run alongside the golf event with the three clubs generating the most money for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation throughout the season being rewarded with a visit by Monty with the Ryder Cup to their club later in the year.
Andy Salmon, Development Manager for the SGU and SLGA, welcomed the opportunity to support such an important cause: “We are very proud to be supporting the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and the great work they are doing to help the thousands of Scottish families affected by cancer.”
“The golfing community is very generous in supporting charities and we hope that by giving golfers and golf clubs the opportunity to meet Monty, we can work together in raising money for the Maggies Centres in Lanarkshire and the North East.”
Ross Whitfield, Golf and Estates Director of the Cameron House Resort, host venue for the event, commented: “We are delighted to be working with the SGU, SLGA and Colin in supporting such a fantastic cause through hosting the Monty’s Medal Final at The Carrick on Loch Lomond and look forward to playing a part in the golfers’ contribution to the charity.”
The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation was set up as a legacy to Colin’s later mother and is working alongside the Maggies’ Cancer Care Centres to raise money to establish two new buildings at the Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire and the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at Foresterhill in Aberdeen
Further details on the Monty’s Monthly Medal and Win Monty for a Day competition can be found at www.scottishgolf.org while clubs wishing to participate should contact the Scottish Golf Union Events team on 01334 466477.