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Chance to join Liverpool FC
greats at celebrity charity golf day
WHEN former Liverpool FC legend, Alan
Kennedy launches his tee shot onto the first fairway at the Carrick Golf Course,
Loch Lomond, at midday, on Thursday, 29 September 2016, it will signal his third
consecutive appearance at the prestigious Caudwell Children Celebrity Golf
Classic.
The Carrick, 1 of Scotland's leading Championship standard courses, has played
host to the event since its inception in 2008.
The 2 day classic, which boasts an array of stars from the worlds of television,
film, sport and music raises vital funds for Caudwell Children, the national
charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and
their families. And this year (2016) Alan, nicknamed Barney Rubble by the
Anfield faithful after the character in the cartoon series The Flinstones, will
be joined by fellow LFC greats Mark Lawrenson, Ronnie Whelan, David Fairclough
and David James.
Alan's interest in golf began as his football career began to
blossom at Newcastle United, in the early 1970's, and like many ex professional
footballers his love of the game has remained long after he retired from
football.
"I always loved watching the golf on television and I was a big fan of Tony
Jacklin. It was 1971 and Newcastle had an agreement with a local club to let the
lads play for free. That really kick started my interest in playing the game."
explained Alan.
When he secured a dream move to Liverpool, in 1978, Alan continued with his
golf, albeit in secret. "Bob Paisley, the Manager at the time, didn't like
any of the players getting together to have a game. He'd let you do almost
anything else, but not golf. He used to say that you could pull a muscle taking
a swing at the ball, so if we wanted a round we had to do it in secret. As a
result nothing was ever organised, it was all spur of the moment stuff. We'd
sneak off to courses around Liverpool like Southport and Ainsdale, West Derby,
Huyton and Prescott. It was all fairly easy going, but being professional
footballers, it was very competitive."
Alan would get together with golf loving teammates like Kenny Dalglish, Alan
Hansen, Terry McDermott and Steve Highway to play 2 or 3 times a month. Hansen,
he says, could have made it as a golf professional. As he explained:- "He
was tall and lean and he had a great swing. His timing was also immaculate and
I'm sure he was good enough to have played at a much higher level."
Although not an obsessive golfer Alan says that more often than
not, when invited, he plays. "I'm playing a couple of times this week,
including at Wentworth, but then I may only play 1 game next month. I'm not like
my pal, and ex-Snooker World Champion, John Parrott, who plays two or three
times a week. He's a fantastic player. I think he's got a handicap of 3. I play
off 15 at the moment and to be honest I don't know if I'm better or worse than
that. All I know is that every time I walk onto the tee my aim is to get a hole
in 1!"
Alan says that he doesn't have a favourite golfing moment, but he does admit to
having enjoyed some success against Merseyside rivals Everton recently. As he
explained:- "As a former footballer I like nothing better than picking up
trophies. So I was delighted when I picked up two nearest the pin awards against
Everton, which made them all the sweeter! But the enjoyment of golf isn't just
about the winning; I also enjoy how, by hitting a ball, you can get rid of some
of your everyday frustrations. Although having said that after a bad day on the
fairways or the green's you can come away feeling more frustrated than when you
started..."
Alan is excited about supporting Caudwell Children again and says that the
charity gives disabled children and young people invaluable help. He said:-
"The equipment, treatments and therapies that they provide cannot be accessed
through statutory measures, so without them children would go without
wheelchairs, specialist sports equipment and short break activities. They even
provide a once in a lifetime dream holiday to Disney World, in Florida, for
children with life threatening conditions, which is just a great thing. I'm
delighted that I'll be attending the event again and I'm looking forward to the
spectacular views of Loch Lomond, the fantastic course and meeting up with an
array of celebrities, including my former LFC pals."
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Kerrie Davies, Events Manager at Caudwell Children, is delighted
by the line up of celebrities and says that the event is a great way for
corporate ticket holders to entertain clients, network and promote their brand.
As she explained:- "It's a fantastic couple of days and teams have a great
time mixing with the stars. They also enjoy two nights' accommodation at De
Vere's flagship hotel, Cameron House, which provides 5 star luxury for the
teams. This year, along with the LFC legends, we will be enjoying the company of
amongst others John Regis, the 1st British athlete to run under 20 seconds in
the 200 metres, James and Oliver Phelps, who played Fred and George Weasley in
the hugely popular Harry Potter film series, and Manish Bhasin, presenter of
BBC's Match of the Day. The world of Rugby Union will be represented by the
former England stars Lee Mears and Shaun Perry, whilst Tom Lister, who played
Emmerdale's arch villain Carl King, and Dean Andrews, the critically acclaimed
actor and star of Life on Mars and Last Tango in Halifax, will also be playing."
Ticket packages are still available and Alan claims it's great value for the
hospitality alone. "You get the most fantastic breakfast, lunch on the
course, drinks at the 10th and 19th holes and two sensational evening dinners.
It doesn't get much better than the Caudwell Children Celebrity Golf Classic."
For more information and to buy tickets contact the Events Team on:- 01782
600112 or email:-
events@caudwellchildren.com. |
