The Heroes Celebrity Golf Day has been going from strength to strength over the last few years since its inception in 2010 and after a soggy day at Stoke Park in 2012, the 2013 event was a great success, enjoyed by all under blue sunny skies at one of England’s most exclusive golf venues.
Hordes of celebrity and amateur golfers alike turned out at Stoke Park this year to show their support and raise as much money as possible to aid the rehabilitation of injured servicemen and women through the Help for Heroes charity.
Throughout the day golfers were impressed by military displays including exhibits of military equipment and fly overs from military aircraft.
With the welcoming sight of a sapphire blue sky looking over the perfectly manicured fairways at Stoke Park, players arrived at the club and made their way into the palatial clubhouse, made famous of course by James Bond and his gamesmanship packed match against Auric Goldfinger, for Coffee and Bacon Rolls; the only way to prepare for a game of golf!
Gift packs full of golf goodies in hand, the players then headed out to watch Paul Barrington, a former World Golf Trick Shot Champion, hit a stunning array of shots that were seemingly impossible for the average golfer. Paul had everyone staring in amazement at his unique skills and got plenty of laughs to boot! Barrington’s trick shots were impressive but the show as not over as Joe Miller then entered the ring.
Paul Barrington wowed everyone with his hilarious, award winning trick shot display and let watching golfers, including Austin Healey, have a go as well.
Miller, a 6ft 4inch, 19 stone behemoth of a golfer and a former Re-max World Long Drive Champion, went through his bag of clubs, hitting shots and leaving on looking golfers in disbelief as he hit wedges 190 yards, 4 irons past the 300 yard mark and his driver far beyond the 400 yard barrier and further than many of the spectators could even see!
Feeling inspired – and somewhat inferior! – competitors then made their way to their respective tees, sun still shining and V-Par scoring system in hand, to await the shotgun start that would signal the start of play.
Stoke Park is one of the most picturesque courses in the country and its par 3 7th hole was the inspiration for the famous 16th at Augusta National.
Following a wet, wet tournament in 2012, where ducks were reportedly swimming across fairways, the players competing this year – including the likes of Stoke Park member DJ Spoony, Sir Matthew Pinsent, supermodel Jodie Kidd and ex England goalkeeper David Seaman, not to mention Event Ambassadors Dan Walker and Georgie Bingham – enjoyed sunny skies which shone down on the pristine Colt and Allisson nines at Stoke Park, some of the finest holes in the country.
Past events have benefitted from impressive military presences and 2013 was no different as displays were put on throughout the day by military personnel, as well as a number of Battle Back members taking part in the main event, providing inspiration for all who saw their stellar play. A separate competition, the Battle Back Golfers Golf Experience, was also held on the Lane Jackson Course over with some amazing golf on display throughout.
Celebrities attending the day had a great time strutting their stuff at Stoke Park, with some fantastic golf being displayed throughout the day.
As well as the main prizes, golfers were also competing for various sponsor’s donations, a long drive prize and a few closest the pins, one of which was stationed on the famous par 3 7th, the inspiration for the 16th at Augusta National.
Players arriving on the 7th were greeted with an ice cold beer, compliments of Your Golf Travel, and the sight of the stunning new Jaguar F-Type, which was the prize sponsored by Hadley Green Garages Ltd for anyone lucky enough to bag a hole-in-one. It seemed as if hole in one insurance would be needed as golf balls rained down on the pin leading to a number of close calls. There was also a closest the pin competition but unfortunately nobody managed to achieve the elusive ace required to drive home in a new set of wheels.
The 7th tee was the place to be, with ice cold beer being handed out and a £78,000 Jaguar F-Type up for grabs for anyone who bagged a hole in one.
After the last ball was struck and competitors had changed into their glad rags it was off the Stoke Park’s famous clubhouse for some pre-dinner drinks and the prize giving which was held at the foot of the Great Hall staircase. When all the prizes had been handed out the Royal Welsh Corps of Drums performed the call for players to take their seats for the Gala Dinner where additional seating was provided for those joining golfers after play was finished.
An auction with some amazing lots followed dinner, raising considerable funds for Help for Heroes, and then it was off to the 19th hole to carry on the celebrations long into the evening. Players attending the day were bowled over by the quality of the course, the magnificent clubhouse, the entertainment throughout the day and most of all by the inspiring performances of those associated with the Battle Back programme and the Help for Heroes charity.
The charity auction held as part of the evening entertainment saw some great lots bought, with all the proceed going to charity. Golf fans in particular had their eyes on various goodies including a signed Ryder Cup flag from the Miracle at Medinah.
If celebrities, golf and a superb gala dinner, coupled with clinics and shows throughout the day sounds like it appeals to you then do your bit for our injured servicemen and women by signing up to play in the 2014 event. Spaces for this special golfing day are limited to only 24 Four Balls and in the last few years the popularity of the event has soared, meaning you may have to act quickly to in order to secure your spot!
The Heroes National Celebrity Golf Day provides a top class golfing experience in world class surroundings, all the while raising significant contributions to Help for Heroes, an official charity of Your Golf Travel.
Congratulations to the winning team and to Dan Walker, Event Ambassador, who was in the third placed group and waltzed off with a putter for each team member donated by John Letters Golf.
Help For Heroes was launched in October 2007 by a group of friends and service relations who wished to do something to help the wounded coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq by providing direct, practical support to wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, veterans, and their families. Golf is in fact one of the many activities used by Help for Heroes to help with the rehabilitation of such personnel.
As the title sponsor for the 2013 event, we at Your Golf Travel would like to thank all those involved with the organisation of the day and those who turned out to generously support the Help for Heroes cause. We look forward to seeing you in 2014.
