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QUARTET OF FOOTBALL STARS BOOST LINE-UP FOR
EAGERLY-AWAITED “GOLF CHAMPIONS OF FOOTBALL”
January 2010, Portugal; Four more stars of football have boosted the line-up for the eagerly-awaited “Golf Champions of Football” which will take place at the Vila Sol Vilamoura Spa & Golf Resort in Portugal from 1 to 4 June, 2010. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the ‘Keep Your Eye on the Ball’ initiative backed by The FA, The PFA and Everyman, which conducts research into prostate and testicular cancers.
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson, Wolves Players Andy Keogh and Paul Walsh and Sky TV presenter Peter Beagrie will take part in the inaugural tournament which is aimed at football fans who are as passionate about golf as they are about the wonderful game.
The quartet joins four other notable names from the football world that have already signed up to add a touch of sparkle to the first staging of the event, namely Cardiff City Manager, Dave Jones; former Aston Villa player, Neil Cox; Darren Purse, currently at Sheffield Wednesday, and Sky TV football pundit, Don Goodman.
Not only will football fans be able to meet and mingle with some of their football heroes, but they will have the chance to win this brand new golf competition in their club colours and claim the bragging rights for their chosen football club back home.
“We already have 16 teams entered, so football fans who play golf need to dust down their spikes quickly if they are to stand a chance of representing their club out in the Algarve,” says Darryl Kenyon of DK Events that is staging the event.
“In addition to extending their support for their chosen team on the fairways, fans competing in the “Golf Champions of Football” are in for a golf break like no other with friendly banter between fans, competitive golf over championship courses, lots of off-course entertainment and of course some wonderful Portuguese sunshine.
“Fans who have already committed themselves to representing their club include teams from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Leeds United. So with just four months to go supporters need to be quick if they are to secure their club’s spot as the tournament only allows one fourball per professional football club on a first-come, first-served basis,” warns Darryl.
£40 from each player’s entry fee will go to Keep Your Eye On The Ball along with all proceeds from the charity putting competition and auction that will take place over the weekend.
Keep Your Eye On The Ball was set-up by Everyman, The Football Association and The Professional Footballers Association in 2000 in response to several high profile players being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The aim is to raise awareness and funds for research into prostate and testicular cancer within the football community. All money raised for the campaign goes directly into funding Everyman’s world leading research including work taking place at the Everyman Centre - Europe's first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research. For further information visit: www.keepyoureyeontheball.org
Quotes from confirmed football stars....
The events will be hosted and presented by Bob Hall who is enjoying a great career with both ITV and Sky TV.
We have already had confirmed attendance from the following football celebrities:
Dave Jones: Cardiff City Manager. Previous Clubs as a Manager are Stockport, Southampton, Wolves. Playing career at Everton FC
"This is a superb concept and I for one am extremely excited to be taking part in what will be an outstanding tournament. It’s a great opportunity for supporters to represent their club in a competitive format. Portugal boasts some superb courses and the Vila Sol facility is an ideal location to host such a superb event."
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Neil Cox: Ex player who through his career played at Scunthorpe, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Watford, Bolton and Crewe
"A fantastic chance for football fans to play golf against their opposition fans and show off their skills and hopefully take the proud title of Golf champions of football back to the Football club. Vila Sol is a fantastic golf course and the fans will find it a brilliant challenge and also enjoy the fantastic weather out here in the Algarve. I am looking forward to being part of this event mixing the two big loves in my life Golf and Football. "
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Darren Purse: Currently still playing and on a two year contract with Sheffield Wednesday. Previous clubs were Orient, Oxford, Birmingham and Cardiff
"I am really looking forward to Playing in the Algarve next year and mixing with the fans. It is a great Chance for all football fans to show off their skills on the Golf course and wear their football teams colours with pride and hope to show that they too can be winners."
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Don Goodman: Currently working with Sky TV. Ex Clubs included Bradford City, West Brom, Sunderland and Wolves
'It's always a great occasion when football supporters get together and do 'friendly' battle!! I love being on the golf course and so to be involved in finding out which club can boast the best golfing supporters is a thrill for me...bring it on!!'
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Peter Beagrie: Currently a football pundit on various Sky Sports football shows who enjoyed an excellent career with ten different football clubs including Everton, Manchester City and Bradford City. In recent years there has been a divide between professional footballers and the fans of the game. This tournament gives the fans the great opportunity of enjoying some fantastic competitive golf in The Algarve alongside some of these footballers past and present and enjoy some social time discussing their two favourite sports. The concept of this tournament is superb and I am really looking forward to getting involved.
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Simon Grayson: Enjoying success with Leeds United as First Team Manager guiding them to victory at Old Trafford against the mighty Manchester United. Holding a good position in League 1 with a good opportunity of bringing the Club back towards where they should be. Simon’s playing career was mainly with Leicester City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
I jumped at the chance of joining this tournament. The Algarve is an excellent venue which is set up superbly for Golfers. The concept of the tournament is brilliant bringing fans from the UK together which I think will be a truly competitive experience. It gives the fans of the smaller clubs a great opportunity to prove themselves against the might of the Premier League teams fans just like we did at Old Trafford in January.
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Paul Walsh: Currently enjoying life as a football pundit alongside playing regular golf. Paul also joins up with his ex fellow pros for Liverpool in the annual Sky Sports Masters Tournament. His playing career seen him playing for six different clubs which included Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Finally retiring whilst in his second spell at Portsmouth.
Golf has been a very big part of my life for sometime now so when I saw the opportunity to be involved in this tournament I jumped at the chance. Golf with a football theme and mixing with football fans from all over the UK is such a great idea. I expect this to be as competitive as any game I have played in my career. I am really looking forward to meeting up with the list of ex pros and I’m sure we will come across many characters amongst golf playing football fans.
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Andy Keogh: Currently with Premier League Club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Andy also played for Scunthorpe United and represents his country - Republic of Ireland.
I just could not turn down the opportunity of being a part of this terrific tournament. I love playing golf especially in The Algarve and to think that this competition will bring together fans from all over the UK - the banter will be great.
I am looking forward to meeting the fans and hearing their views on both football and golf.
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The Vila Sol Golf Course should prove a demanding test for all the participants. It was voted in the Top 100 Courses in Europe by Golf World Magazine, has twice hosted the Portuguese Open and is home to the late Sir Bobby Robson's Annual Charity Event.
List of 16 Teams Confirmed to Date:
Bolton Wanderers, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Cardiff City Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Leyton Orient, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United & Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tournament Itinerary:
- Transfers from and to Faro Airport
- Three Nights 5-star Accommodation including breakfast
- Two Rounds of competition over Vila Sol’s Championship Courses
- Welcome pack of good quality supporting team products (Polo Shirts, various Golf products £80.00 retail value per player)
- Gala presentation Dinner including wine
- Buffet after golf each day
- All on-site transfers
- Prize table and special awards (including longest drive & nearest the pin)
- Entry into the competition
- Discounted services at Vila Sol GC
Golf Champions of Football 2010
Format:
Up to 114 four-man teams over June 1 to 8, 2010. Golfers will be playing off the white tees and playing off ¾ of full official handicap under stableford format. The overall winner will be the team over all three events that scores the highest amount of points and the count back system will be apply if one or more team has the same amount of points.
Prizes:
Nike gifts for the top four teams at each of the three event days in the tournament (total value of prizes is £6,000.00, £2,000 per event).
The winning fourball will receive corporate hospitality at their football club and take back to their club the bragging rights of “Golf Champions of Football 2010”.
Golf Champions of Football
Four more stars of football have boosted the line-up for the eagerly-awaited “Golf Champions of Football” which will take place at the Vila Sol Vilamoura Spa & Golf Resort in Portugal from 1 to 4 June, 2010. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the ‘Keep Your Eye on the Ball’ initiative backed by The FA, The PFA and Everyman, which conducts research into prostate and testicular cancers.
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson, Wolves Players Andy Keogh and Paul Walsh and Sky TV presenter Peter Beagrie will take part in the inaugural tournament which is aimed at football fans who are as passionate about golf as they are about the wonderful game.
The quartet joins four other notable names from the football world that have already signed up to add a touch of sparkle to the first staging of the event, namely Cardiff City Manager, Dave Jones; former Aston Villa player, Neil Cox; Darren Purse, currently at Sheffield Wednesday, and Sky TV football pundit, Don Goodman.
