Stoke Park ups the heat for JDRF

The new PGA Southern Open champion and five time winner this season, Andy Raitt (St. George’s Hill), and the winner of the Hayling Pro-Am David Osborn (West Hill), both shot six birdies each to share the honours at the annual JDRF Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Stoke Park.

The aim of the event is to raise both awareness of, and funds for, JDRF, the leading charity that invests in research to cure, treat and prevent type one diabetes. The pro-am, and the related silent and live auctions, helped gross over £90,000 for JDRF as the golf matched the temperature during the hottest day on record in the UK.

Now in its fifth successful year, its unique format means the PGA Professionals only earn money with birdies (£75) and eagles (£150). Played around Stoke Park’s classic Colt/Allison layout, both players notched up enough birdies to edge out runner up Nico Els (Clandon Regis) who made five birdies, while Ben Clayton (Hindhead) made four.

Raitt and Osborn took home the lion’s share of the £15,000 Professional prize fund put up by local businessman and long term supporter of The PGA, Colin Brumpton. Three teams tied on 86 points, with the Regional Captain Calum Callan from Cottesmore leading the Pallite Team to the top of the podium on countback, with JDRF’s own team in second place.

Starting at the first, Raitt managed the one birdie going out, but things changed dramatically with birdies at the 10^th, 12^th, 14^th and 15^th, and then one more on his final hole at the 18^th for his total of six birdies. Starting at the 14^th, Osborn soon made birdies at the 16^th and 18^th, and then the first, second and fifth. With a dramatic birdie at his last hole, the 13^th, he matched Raitt’s total.

Summing up the day on behalf of JDRF, Director of Fundraising Dean Benton said: "It was a fabulous day enjoyed by all involved despite the sweltering conditions. We are delighted to have raised £90,000 which will support the world’s best research into the better treatment, prevention and cure of type one diabetes.”

He continued: "Special thanks go to our headline sponsor Crisp Thinking and to Lucas Rarities and IAF Capital for the hole-in-one and nearest-the-pin sponsorship. Thanks also to The PGA in England (South) for their fantastic organisation of the day, to Stoke Park for providing a stunning location and course set-up, and to Colin Brumpton for his ongoing support and advice as a JDRF Golf Committee member."

As one of the winners, Raitt added: “Over 400,000 people in the UK suffer from type one diabetes and many of them are children, so this event is all about doing what you can to help JDRF. The course was in fabulous condition, the greens were amazingly quick, and special thanks are due to Stoke Park’s Director of Golf and PGA Professional Stuart Collier for once again helping ensure a great event.”