With the golf season now in full swing, England players past and present took to the fairways of The Shire in the annual England Footballers Foundation Charity Golf Cup. The players gave their extra time for England to help raise awareness and vital funds for the England Footballers Foundation’s charity partners.
Ex-players Ray Wilkins, Dean Ashton and Mark Bright, were joined by BBC Football Focus host Dan Walker, as well as football fans and golf enthusiasts, as England stars Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson and Jake Livermore led the fourball tournament, played on the renowned Masters course designed by golf legend Seve Ballesteros.
The players showed their skills with the smaller ball by participating in a series of trick shots including keepy uppies, striking a ball from a three foot high tee and seeing who could hit the longest distance using a driver with an shaft twice the normal length.
Jermain Defoe said:
“The day has been really enjoyable and so well supported which all of the players are so grateful for. It’s been great for us to be able to get so close to the fans and see them rise to the challenge. The money raised here today will go directly to our charity partners to ensure that all of them can continue to do the great work that they carry out across the country.”
Taking part in the fourball Cup were representatives from The British Forces Foundation and Rays of Sunshine who are two of the charities who will be benefitting from the work of the England Footballers Foundation. Representing The British Forces Foundation were Major Chris Barnard, Lieutenant Colonel Terry Sherlock, Major Martin Flather and Captain Bob Pace, all competent golfers who have served their country in conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Also taking part was Adam Phillips, a 19 year old kidney transplant patient who represented Great Britain in the transplant games. Adam was invited as a guest of Rays of Sunshine who previously granted his wish to play with some semi pros at The Grove back in 2010.
The charities that will benefit from the golf day and other fundraising events planned by the players over the next 12 months are the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, The British Forces Foundation and Rays of Sunshine, as well as their own initiative the England Footballers Foundation Academy which is designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged youngsters in deprived communities.
Focusing on providing them with educational, coaching and life skills, the EFF Academy aims to help tackle a variety of economic and social issues including education, crime, racial and drug abuse.