Ex-Ryder Cuppers add sparkle to charity pro-am
10/09/2015
Four ex-Ryder Cup players will add a special dimension to the Andrew Murray Charity Pro-Am taking place at Stockport Golf Club for the first time on Monday, September 14.
Ex-captain Mark James, Des Smyth, David Gilford and Gordon Brand will tee up in a high quality field which also includes European Tour regulars Phil Archer and Tom Murray.
It is the 24th staging of the popular pro-am organised by Murray - a European Senior Tour player and BBC radio pundit, and will raise funds for the Prostate Cancer UK, the Together Trust – a charity for disadvantaged children in Cheshire, and Aspire.
The latter charity, which provides practical support for people who have been spinally injured, is particularly close to Murray’s heart because his son Tom’s girlfriend, Sophie Carrigill, is in a wheelchair. She will captain the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team in Rio next year.
“It gives me a massive buzz putting this together and to be able to help these charities,” said Murray.
“I get a lot of support from my corporate sponsors, and Tom’s sponsors plus there is a lot of effort by a lot people in organising this so it’s great to have such a terrific line-up.
“While we’ve had past Ryder Cup players before, we’ve never had four and I don’t think we have two such high profile Ryder Cup players as Mark James and Des Smyth who have made special efforts to take part - Des is flying in from Ireland while Mark is coming from Yorkshire.
“To have those guys take part is a massive boost.
“It will be our first visit to Stockport which is a really prestigious club, an ex-Open qualifying venue and we’ve got 25 corporate teams and we’re trying to raise as much money as possible.”
Murray launched the pro-am in the early 90s following his European Open win and down the years has helped scores of charities including the Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Boys and Girls Welfare Society.
