Cotswold Hills Golf Club pro Jamie-Lee McCormick had a helping hand from former US Women’s Open Champion Alison Nicholas in raising more than £10,000 for Bristol-based charity Cots for Tots.
Nicholas, the two-time European Solheim Cup team captain, put her reputation on the line during the fundraising golf day at Cotswold Hills by taking on allcomers in the Beat the Pro Challenge.
Ninety-six golfers accepted the challenge and 26 succeeded in getting closer to the hole on the par-three ninth than the PGA pro who now coaches at Redditch Golf Club.
“It turned out to be a tough day at the office for Ali,” joked McCormick. “But I know she enjoyed it. It was great to have her support.”
McCormick was also supported by leading golf manufacturers Galvin Green, Ecco and Callaway plus clubs including Woodhall Spa, Hollinwell and Moortown.
“They all donated prizes or items to be auctioned,” McCormick explained. “Two tickets for next February’s Six Nations match between England and Wales were auctioned and the star item was a golf break in Cornwall for four people. That included two nights at the Bowood Park Hotel, a round of golf there, as well as at Trevose and Bude and North Cornwall.
“The auction raised the main amount of the money, and the final figure of £10,500 from the day was a lot more than I expected. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support and generosity.”
McCormick organised the event as a thank you for Cots for Tots for providing invaluable support when her daughter Miley needed emergency bowel surgery at St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol, a day after being born two months prematurely.
Miley then spent three months in intensive care while she recovered, which is when Cots for Tots came to the rescue.
“We live in Cheltenham, and it involved an 80-mile round trip to be with Miley,” McCormick recalled. “So, we were incredibly lucky to be supported by Cots for Tots, a charity that provides accommodation for families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as well as life-saving equipment.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able give something back as a result of the golf day.”
Cots for Tots were similarly delighted on learning about the boost to their funds.
“That is incredible!” a spokeswoman told McCormick. “You have raised so much money. You should feel so proud of yourself for putting on such a brilliant event, and the fact people want you to run it again next year is the biggest compliment you can get.”
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