The Volvo National Golf Club Challenge Patrons
Lee Westwood
“Together we have the chance to change the lives of those who have sacrificed and endured so much so we might live full and free lives. Many brave men and women have suffered often the most horrendous injuries in the line of duty and these heroes deserve our wholehearted support. I am honoured to become patron to The National Golf Club Challenge and deeply humbled to be asked by Wedgwood to name the National Golf Club Challenge Trophy 'The Lee Westwood Cup' continuing Wedgwood's long tradition of naming their stunning trophies after some of the most iconic golfers the world has ever seen.”
| Watch Lee speaking to Sky Sports about his involvement in the Challenge >> |
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Watch Lee speaking to The Golf Channel in the US about the Challenge >> |
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About Lee
During his successful career, Lee has won 18 events on the European Tour and has also won tournaments in America, Africa, Asia and Australia. His Official World Golf Ranking peaked at 4th, and in 2000 he won 7 tournaments worldwide and is now ranked first on the European Order of Merit.
Lee's manager, ISM Chief Exec Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, believes Lee has re-established himself among the current golfing greats and is now ready to win a major. In 2009, Lee won the inaugural European Tour Race to Dubai, the Portugal Masters and the Dubai World Championship.
Visit Lee's fan site >> NGCC on Lee's website >>
The Lee Westwood Cup
The Volvo National Golf Club Challenge winners will be awarded the 'Lee Westwood Cup'. Lee has kindly given permission for the trophy to bear his name. Made by Wedgwood in aid of help for Heroes, the trophy stands as a magnificent symbol of the UK golfing community coming together to benefit our injured armed forces.
Find out more about the Lee Westwood Cup >>
Mark Foster
“I am absolutely honoured to become a patron for the National Golf Club Challenge. This cause is the perfect opportunity for golf to come together and make a difference to the men and women of our forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We often take our lifestyles for granted but really it's all down to the jobs our forces do every day of the year. My heart has always gone out to anyone of our troops at war and especially those injured fighting for our freedom. The National Golf Club Challenge is a simple way for every golfer in the country to give a little of their time to support our troops and their loved ones. Please get your friends and golf clubs involved.”
About Mark
Mark has consistently performed throughout his career, including being a member of the victorious 1995 Walker Cup team at Royal Porthcawl alongside Stephen Gallacher, Padraig Harrington and David Howell.
After a highly successful amateur career, which included back-to-back English Amateur Championships in 1994 and 1995, progress proved difficult as a result of injury. He Gained a card in 1996 but unfortunately only played just eight European Tour events, after suffering a back injury. Mark was forced to undergo surgery in 1998 and got his career back on track in 1999.
Visit Mark's official website >> Follow Mark on Twitter >>
Sam Torrance
“I'm delighted that golf clubs up and down the country are supporting the National Golf Club Challenge. It's one of the most worthy causes I can think of. We take for granted the job that service men and women do day in, day out, to protect us, often in the toughest of conditions. Hopefully this challenge will make us all stop and take a few moments to think about their dedication and selflessness, and show some support and thanks for the great job that they do.”
About Sam
While Sam's success as a professional golfer speaks for itself – 44 career wins and a record of over 700 appearances on the European Tour – he might be remembered best for his momentous putt on the 18th green at The Belfry, which delivered victory to the 1985 European Ryder Cup Team over America for the first time in twenty eight years.
Sam went on to have further Ryder Cup success when he captained the 2002 European Team to victory. He was awarded an MBE in 1996 and then an OBE in 2003 for services to golf. Today, golf fans around the globe can enjoy his humour and expert punditry as part of the BBC golf broadcasting team.
Oliver Wilson
“The way of life that we have and the world we live in is taken for granted all too often, we tend to forget that it is down to the sacrifices our troops make. They put their lives on the line every day and we should be doing everything in our power to support them and their families through the hard times ... remember that our soldiers have families like us and we should be helping them any way we can. Help the Heroes National Golf Club Challenge is one small way that we can all do our bit.”
About Oli
In 2007 Oliver Wilson earned a place on the winning GB & I team in the Seve Trophy and enjoyed two runner up finishes in two of the years big tournaments. Oli went on to underline his consistent play by missing only five cuts from twenty eight events with eleven top twenty-five finishes.
In 2008 Oli made history with his debut on the European Ryder Cup team, being the only person to have played their way on to either Ryder Cup team without a win, underlining his consistency. Oliver made an excellent winning debut partnering Henrik Stenson to beat the number 1 US pairing of Phil Mickleson and Anthony Kim 2&1, however this wasn't enough as the US team regained the trophy.
Visit Oli's official website >> Follow Oli on Twitter >>
Paul Casey
“It's great to see so many golfers and golf clubs that are supporting the National Golf Club Challenge. I think we sometimes forget what such a good job the service men and women do, to make all of our lives safer. This event will help us show our support and appreciation of what their guts and bravery deserves. My thoughts go out to all those that have been injured during the cause of war, you are true heroes. Please support the National Golf Club Challenge.”
About Paul
England's Paul Casey burst onto the professional scene in 2000 following an extremely successful amateur career that culminated in a record individual performance at the 1999 Walker Cup in Nairn, Scotland. During his first full year on Tour, Paul claimed a maiden Tour victory at the Gleneagles Scottish PGA on his way to finishing 22nd in the order of Merit. That performance saw Casey pick up the Sir Henry Cotton Trophy, awarded to the top ranked rookie.
Paul has a fantastic record in Team events, as member of the last 3 Ryder Cup sides, notably, the successful 2004 and 2006 teams as well as 3 victories in the Seve Trophy. Casey claimed yet another team title in 2004 when he paired up with Luke Donald to win the World Cup of Golf.
Visit Paul's official website >> Follow Paul on Twitter >>
Oliver Fisher
“Help the Heroes is a hugely worthy charity and a charity close to my heart. I have displayed the website on my tour bag this season in an attempt to raise awareness of the cause. The National Golf Club Challenge is a great initiative to raise money for our injured soldiers. With the backing of Sky Sports and other great partners I am certain the event will be a great success.”
About Oli
Oliver Fisher is regarded as one of the best prospects of recent years. He was a winner of the Faldo Series, Nick Faldo's development programme for young golfers, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and in 2005 he became the youngest player to take part in the Walker Cup. In late 2006 he competed at the European Tour Qualifying School as an amateur. He finished fifth to become the youngest Briton to win a tour card and immediately turned professional.
Oli made the cut at his first five European Tour events as a professional and finished high enough on the 2007 Order of Merit to retain his card for 2008. Now after regaining his European Tour Card for 2011 things are starting to happen for Oliver Fisher.
Follow Oli on Twitter >>
LADY PATRONS
Pollyanna Woodward
“I am extremely proud of all the service men and women that risk their lives every single day to protect ours. It is humbling that they can be so selfless and dedicated to their country and willing to make such sacrifices and accept the consequences, They show true heroism that could never be paralleled, which is why I am extremely honoured to be a Patron for The National Golf Club Challenge. It’s an opportunity for us to play a game we love and support those that allow us the freedom to play it. Get involved; get your Clubs and fellow golfers involved. Show your support and appreciation for what these brave men and women do everyday for us xx.”
About Pollyanna
Pollyanna is known as one of the TV Presenters on the popular Channel 5 show, The Gadget Show, where we have watched her take part in all sorts of challenges.
As a big fan of the Ryder Cup and other golf tournaments, she persuaded The Gadget Show to set her a challenge to learn how to play golf from scratch in only 8 weeks, and to show her skills by playing the Hotchkin Course, home of the EGU at Woodhall Spa, against two low handicap golfers. This has led to Pollyanna spending all her free time on her local course Silvermere with her coach, Jason Banting. After the 8 week period she achieved an official 36 handicap and is now hungry to carry on. She is continuing her coaching and intends to start competing in 2012.
Visit Pollyanna's official website >> Follow Pollyanna on Twitter >>
Melissa Reid
“On the NGCC weekend every golfer in the country can share their own passion for golf and unite in their overwhelming support for our brave soldiers who risk their own lives on a daily basis. Our service men and women are our unsung heroes and only through their dedication to their duty are we able to live better lives. I fully support The National Golf Club Challenge and I will be supporting it in any way I can.”
About Melissa
Melissa turned professional in late 2007 and began playing on the Ladies European Tour in 2008. Her first win came at the 2010 Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.
As an amateur Melissa won several events including the 2004 and 2005 English Girls' Championship, the 2006 and 2007 Helen Holm Trophy, the 2007 St Rule Trophy, and the 2007 British Amateur Strokeplay Championship. She played on the Great Britain and Ireland team in the 2006 Curtis Cup.
Melissa sports the 'In Support of Help for Heroes' logo on her tour bag at the expense of her sponsor logo!
Follow Melissa on Twitter >> Melissa on YouTube >>
