Close on 40 PGA Professionals have helped raise £17,000 for charity by playing in the annual pro-am run at Northants County Golf Club by Tim Rouse, the Association’s Captain-elect.
Almost three-quarters of that sum has boosted the coffers of the club’s local air ambulance service as a thank you on behalf of the golfers it has helped in the five counties it covers.
“They have saved a few golfers over the years that we know of,” explained Rouse, the head PGA pro at Northants County for three decades who will become the Association’s 83rd Captain next April.
“Some have been on our course and our club manager used to be at Kenilworth and they flew in there a couple of times as well. Other golfers in the area have benefitted, so it seemed like an appropriate charity to support.”
The pro-am has been running for more than 30 years and Guide Dogs for the Blind is a regular beneficiary, so much so that the number of dogs funded is in double figures.
A further £3,000 was raised for the charity this year through golfers attempting to record a hole-in-one at the par three 15th and win a car.
“The car was supplied by Cinch who, with Carlsberg, were the pro-am’s main sponsors,” Rouse said.
“As ever, we’re extremely grateful to them as we are other organisations and individuals that supplied prizes plus the players who supported the event.”
More than 150 players took part, 38 of whom were PGA pros, and Rouse added: “It’s a strong pro-am and hopefully we can keep it going.
“I think it offers the highest prize fund in the Midland region for the professionals, so they bring quite a few teams. They come from far and wide to play in it, which is really pleasing.”
