Darren Clarke has once again teamed up with Sir Ian Botham for their annual Celebrity Invitational golf event, raising over £400,000 for charity.
Held at the stunning Archerfield Links near North Berwick in Scotland, the two day event comprising golf, entertainment and celebrities was raising money for Botham’s chosen charity, Leukaemia Research, and the Darren Clarke Foundation which supports Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The course was in exceptional condition and there was fine weather to boot as professionals such as Alfred Dunhill Links Champion Michael Hoey and renowned golf coach Pete Cowen mingled with a host of celebrity amateurs, including luminaries of the sports and entertainment worlds such as former snooker World Champion Dennis Taylor, 1996 Formula One champion Damon Hill, Hollywood star Dougray Scott and football legend Kevin Keegan.
The two day jamboree consisted of 18 holes on the Fidra Links and 18 holes over the Dirleton Links and was contested between amateur teams, celebrities and professionals.
Clarke himself won the professional individual event on a card play-off from Michael Hoey after they both finished on 76 points, while Botham was also in the prizes and helped his team of Johann Rupert, Stephen Tricky and Rob Hersov to victory in the team event.
On Monday evening there was a Race Night sponsored by Ladbrokes with the sponsors making a £15,000 donation before the races started, followed by a Gala Dinner and presentation after the second day’s play.
The final gala dinner raised £280,000 on its own and was an entertaining affair that included Botham and Clarke joining 80s pop superstars Bananarama on stage.
Tom Chaplin from Keane and Cole Page also performed live before DJ Spoony hit the decks to conclude a successful couple of days for the organisers, the attendees and the charities that will reap the benefit.
The event was sponsored by Nike, Maui Jim, Helvetia Wealth, Pommery, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Edgerton Pink Gin and designer Oswald Boateng who created jackets for the winners.
