Stars raise £400,000 for charity at Archerfield Links
Michael Hoey tees up Alfred Dunhill success with Darren Clarke and Sir Ian Botham Celebrity Invitational at Archerfield Links
(East Lothian, Scotland – October 4, 2011)
Star-studded line-up from sport and entertainment enjoy world-class golf and hospitality on the East Lothian coast, and raise £400,000 for charity.
Michael Hoey warmed up for his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship success by tying Open Champion Darren Clarke for the professional prize at the annual Darren Clarke and Sir Ian Botham Celebrity Invitational at Archerfield Links, September 19-20.
Hoey was in top form ahead of the biggest win of his career, joining a star-studded cast of sportsmen and entertainers at the renowned East Lothian club that raised just under £400,000 for charity.
However, it was his fellow Ulsterman and event co-host, Darren Clarke, who took the honours after a card playoff when both players finished on 76 points.
The two-day event, hosted annually at Archerfield Links, and supported by Helvetia Wealth and Bombardier, saw 26 invited teams battle it out over the Fidra and Dirleton links courses, while enjoying world-class hospitality amid the historic estate.
Among the sportsmen and celebrities joining Clarke and Botham were Jamie Redknapp, Damon Hill, Kevin Keegan, Dougray Scott, Dennis Taylor, DJ Spoony, Paul Collingwood and Mark Nicholas. Professional golfers including Andrew Coltart, Oliver Fisher, Richard Finch, Chris Wood, Danny Willett and Gregory Bourdy also teed it up.
Keane lead singer Tom Chaplin and 1980s girl-band Bananarama topped the evening entertainment bill, which also featured a fundraising Race Night supported by Ladbrokes. Other supporters included IWC, Pommery, Johnnie Walker, Vista Jet, Aromatherapy Associates, Nike, Arnold Clark and Maui Jim.
Darren Clarke expressed his gratitude for the generosity of all participants and confirmed proceeds would be split between the Darren Clarke Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Leukemia Research and a number of other charities.
He also thanked Archerfield Links for once again hosting the event, saying: “Archerfield is a truly wonderful, world-class facility. Whenever I come here, I find myself itching to get started, whichever the course. I love hitting down these fairways and I love walking through the clubhouse front door. It’s a very welcoming club and the members of staff are outstanding.”
Sir Ian Botham was also in the prizes, winning the team event alongside Johan Rupert, Stephen Tricky and Rob Hersov.
“It was a pleasure to welcome everyone to Archerfield Links again for Darren and Ian’s Celebrity Invitational,” said Stuart Bayne, Director of Golf at Archerfield Links.
“We work hard to create an informal atmosphere where members and guests feel at home on the course, in the clubhouse and in our residential lodges as well as at Archerfield House.”
The event comes during a busy time for ArcherfieldLinks, which recently hosted the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open won by Catriona Matthew. A new luxury spa, to be called ‘The Fletcher’s Cottage’, is due to open in January, while the estate’s recently opened lodges are now welcoming residential members – UK andinternational golfers benefiting from six nights’ accommodation and golf, booked as a week or as individual nights.
“We’ve received many positive comments from Darren and Ian’s guests, and look forward to welcoming them all back during the course over the coming year, and for next year’s Celebrity Invitational,” added Stuart Bayne.
What they said…
Kevin Keegan:
“This is my third visit to Archerfield... It offers the best in golfing experiences. I love the fact that the Fidra is played through the trees and that the Dirleton offers more of a links-land experience. With two such different courses, you couldnever get bored of playing and staying here.
“As a club, Archerfield strikes me being thoroughly modern in every way. There are plenty of well-known venues where you can feel intimidated when you walk through the door but this certainly isn’t one of them. You get a great welcome every time – and the same applies to your family.
“I’ve brought my wife, Jean, up for this week. She is working on turning herself into a golfer but, even though she’s not playing in this event, I can promise you that she’s going to enjoy the social side of the occasion every bit as much as I am.”
Dougray Scott:
“What a place! New courses don’t always have this kind of a feel to them. The Fidra and the Dirleton are up-to-the-minute venues which still have a bit of a traditional touch. To my mind, the short holes stand out. They all ask verydifficult questions and if you can make more than a couple of threes you have to feel good about yourself.”
Andrew Coltart:
“There is one hole at Archerfield which ranks among my favourite anywhere. It’s the eighth on the Fidra, a par-3 with a green like an upturned saucer. You’ve got to be accurate and, as a rule, there’s a fickle wind to make that that a tough ask. One way and another, it’s a cracking example of a great short hole.”
Jamie Redknapp:
“I feel at home at Archerfield… Golf is a big part of the equation but I love the fact that it’s such a relaxing and comfortable place to be. The practice ground is right up my street. I may well get worse rather than better but I’m absolutely content when I’m out there beating balls.”
Mark Nicholas:
The courses at Archerfield sit comfortably alongside such old and famous neighbours as Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick. You get a slightly different experience on the Fidra and the Dirleton, which is precisely what you want. Congratulations to David Russell, the designer, and congratulations to the entire team at Archerfield for making the Archerfield experience what it is."
Richard Finch:
“What I so admire about this pro-am is that it involves two great professionals, both of whomhave been hugely successful in their different sports and both of whom havegiven so much back in so many ways. It’s amazing what they do for their favourite charities.
“I see it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to play here this week.”
For further information visit www.archerfieldgolfclub.com or telephone 01620 897050.
