Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship tees up 90th anniversary celebrations

The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship will celebrate its 90th birthday this year, with a strong field and large crowds respected to attend the tournament, which returns to Nailcote Hall, near Coventry, between August 8-11.

Spectators will be able to see a host of tour professionals from past and present with the likes of Aaron Rai, Tommy Fleetwood, Peter Baker, and Ian Woosnam gracing the 1,048-yard Cromwell Course, as well as celebrities from the world of screen, stage and sport.

Entry to the event is free and it will be the first time since the pandemic that spectators will be permitted at the Midlands venue, which will be hosting the championship for the 25th year in a row.

This year’s event will once again be hosted by dual major champion and Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin, who will be joined by a long list of sporting greats, including Matthew Hoggard, Derek Redmond, Rory Underwood and former Bayern Munich and Celtic striker Alan McInally. 

Welcoming the return of spectators, Jacklin said: “Every year I look forward to my return to Nailcote and the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship. It truly is one of my favourite events and it is always great to see the mixture of amateur, professional and celebrity players getting involved during the week.

“Each year the event gets bigger and better, and this year will be extra special because we are celebrating 90 years of the tournament as well as welcoming crowds back. The event simply hasn’t been the same without spectators, and having people back to witness and play a part in this special event will be wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.”

Last year’s tournament was won by three-time European Tour winner Phillip Price who came out on top as a pro and secured the title and the €50,000 prize money after a dramatic two-hole play-off with Tom Reid. They both ended with a score of 101 points and 7 under par, before the play-off. 

This year’s prize fund will again be €150,000, with €50,000 going to the winner with the other €100,000 being split with the 59 other placed players.

Among the celebrities taking part will be Eastenders actor Danny Walters, Strictly Come Dancing’s James Jordan and Riley Jones, star of ITV drama Vera. They will be joining darts legend Keith Deller, athletics icon Kriss Akabusi and the renowned BBC broadcaster John Inverdale, as well as former Leicester City strikers Paul Dickov and Brian Deane and former England international Dean Ashton. 

This year’s event will be particularly poignant as it comes just weeks after the death of Farmfoods British Par 3 legend Len Goodman. The former Strictly Come Dancing star regarded the Farmfoods British Par 3 as his favourite golf event. With his infectious smile, Len was often found laying out markers that stated ‘It’s a 10 from Len!’. A special tribute will be paid to Len at the event.

Rick Cressman, the owner of Nailcote Hall, said: “Not only was Len a true gentleman, but he was also a people’s person. Len was a good friend of everyone here at Nailcote Hall and a keen player of the tournament. A good player as well. He was the heart and soul every year as he was keen to mingle with spectators on and off the golf course. When he was around you, you had no choice but to smile and feel happy and fun because that’s the way he made you feel.”

The tournament, which is organised by Champions UK Plc, has always championed inclusivity, with those with disabilities, all ages, genders, and backgrounds succeeding and making a name for themselves at the event.

John Hayes, the Chairman of Champions UK plc, said: “The Farmfoods British Par 3 has and will always be a fantastic platform for players making the next step regardless of age, gender, sexuality or demographic. It’s a game for everyone. The talent on show is incomparable with stars such as Mike Browne, who was our first ever disabled player, to our oldest ever winner, DJ Russell. Our female stars have also gone to achieve great things, with the likes of Charley Hull, Lauren Taylor and Amy Boulden all having graced the Par 3 Championship throughout their impressive careers.”

Around 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the event over the four days, and free tickets are already available at britishpar3.com. Highlights of the tournament will be broadcast on Sky Sports.