Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes benefited to the tune of more than £9,000 when readers of Golf Monthly magazine got together for their annual fundraiser at Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire.
More than 80 golfers took part in the 12th running of the annual Golf Monthly forum golf day, which has raised almost £150,000 in that time.
It was the brainchild of the late Rick Garg, who gives his name to the RickG Memorial Trophy, awarded to someone who makes a great contribution to both the day and the forum. This year, it was presented to brothers Ian and Phil Murgatroyd, from Aylesbury, for their continued support of the event.
First place on the day – and the GoKart Challenger trophy – went to Adam Duff, from Sandhurst, in Berkshire, with 41 Stableford points, two points ahead of second-placed Jakob Lilliehook, of Whetstone GC in Barnet, while 36 points earned Worlebury GC’s Andy Judkins, from Somerset, the third spot.
Sandy Hallett, the lady captain of Princes Golf Club in Kent, won the prize for the best gross score with an impressive four-over par.
Back in the clubhouse after the competition golfers listened attentively to Help for Heroes’ Band of Sisters ambassador Michele Apter, who gave a poignant talk about how her family was affected by both her sons having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), following service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how the charity has helped the brothers and the family as a whole.
The Charity’s Area Fundraising Manager, John Carpenter, said: “It was courageous of Michele to stand up in front of a room full of people she did not know and open her heart in that way. It just demonstrates further how the funds raised on days like this are put to good use.
“On the course, everybody had a great time, and it was fabulous to see so many people enjoying themselves while supporting our charity. Our thanks, as always, go out to the organisers and everybody who took part on the day.”
With many veterans enjoying an occasional round of golf, the sport is increasingly becoming a real asset in the Charity’s fundraising arsenal.
Carpenter added: “Golf is traditionally a philanthropic sport; golf clubs donate millions to charity every year and we are lucky that an increasing number of clubs – maybe as a result of having veterans as members – are deciding to support us with annual fundraisers and the like. The benefit of golf on both physical and mental health is well documented so we often have veterans with us when we attend fundraising golf days as they enjoy a round and also like to say thank you to everybody who has donated.”