Dynamic duo dazzle at Chart Hills

Paul Sherman (Ashford) and Ally Mellor (Willingdon) both shot seven-under-par 65 to share the crown in the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer Charity Pro-Am.

Played around the undulating Chart Hills, generously offered by Paul Gibbons on behalf of the Leaderboard Group to host the charity event, both players had spectacular rounds to take their winners’ cheques. Sherman (pictured) was no less than six-under-par after the front nine holes, while Mellor was actually two-over-par after the second hole.

Back to level by the turn, Mellor reeled off birdies from the 11^th to the 14^th, paused for a par on the 15^th and then went on another charge from the 16^th to the 18^th to complete the back nine in just 29 strokes.  Their performances simply outshone their second placed colleagues Tim Milford (Pedham Place) and Adam Wootton (Oxford Golf Centre) who both shot impressive 67s.

The event itself is the brainchild of Benn Barham who knows what it’s like to be diagnosed with kidney cancer and make the long journey back to full health. Keen to get involved with fundraising for a charity focused on fighting kidney cancer, Barham founded the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer Charity and was soon putting together a pro-am event with his business partner John Chapman of Bespoke Golf Events (BGE), which became the lead sponsor of the Pro-Am.

Barham said: “The first event was at The Oxfordshire thanks to Paul Gibbons, owner of the Leaderboard Group. Paul’s wonderful support was demonstrated again this year when we were able to host the event at Chart Hills. This was even better when it came to getting teams together as most of my contacts are in the South East.

“This year’s pro-am had amazing support from so many people and between our business contacts, amateur golfing friends of mine, Sam and the team at The PGA in England (South), 26 top professionals from the region came to support the event and entertain the amateur teams.

“Another star turn for the day was Jeremy Dale who put on an amazing trick shot show in the morning, ran a special charity fundraising event on the 10^th tee based on seeing who could actually hit a drive off the highest tee that he uses in his own show, and then spoke and ran the auction as the after dinner entertainment.

“We’d also like to thank all those who supported this event in all manner of ways: Arden BMW, Sandy Catford and the lovely people at GoKart electric trolleys, my own sponsor Hugo Boss, Titleist & FootJoy, Watchfinder, Oakley at Bluewater, American Golf Holidays and, of course, The PGA. Their generosity made this event a huge success once again, and helped the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer Charity raise a lot more money for finding a cure to this disease.”