10th February 2010 – for immediate release

Phil Mickelson Encourages Golfers to Take Up the Challenge

World Number 2 Endorses the National Golf Club Challenge

Inspired like so many people by the professionalism and bravery of the armed forces, Phil Mickelson has sent a heart felt message of support to the National Golf Club Challenge, in aid of Help for Heroes.

Phil joins an illustrious list of golfers – past and present – who have sent messages of encouragement and support for the Challenge. Including Jack Nicklaus, Lee Westwood, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Poulter, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo and many more.

"I applaud the initiative of Help for Heroes. The British military played an essential role in Iraq and it continues to be a force in Afghanistan. Regardless of how you feel about our governments’ policies, these fighting men and women and their families are making an enormous sacrifice and deserve our full support. It is an honor for me to be a part of the PGA Tour’s Birdies for the Brave program. I’ve been fortunate to meet a number of our troops who have benefited from that program and I can tell you that even after they have endured horrific injures their spirit remains strong. These people are an inspiration.

"I urge you to support the National Golf Club Challenge and want you to know that your participation will mean more than you can imagine for brave men and women you may never be lucky enough to meet." Phil Mickelson

With golf clubs entering on a daily basis, the National Golf Club Challenge is on course to become the largest amateur charity golf event to take place in the UK. The Challenge will be held on the 24th and 25th of July and is free to enter.

The Challenge will bring hundreds of golf clubs, and thousands of golfers together on the same weekend as part of a nationwide charity golf event - with the aim of raising a million pounds for the superb Help for Heroes charity.

As well as a fund raising initiative, The National Golf Club Challenge is a nationwide competition, giving golfers up and down the country the opportunity to compete for some outstanding prizes – including golfing holidays to Egypt.

For more information on The National Golf Club Challenge, including how to enter your golf club, go to www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk or www.ngcc2010.com.

For more information on the Help for Heroes charity and the work they do please visit their website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

ENDS

Challenge Contacts

Stacey Jeffries, Event Director
Tel: +44 (0)1565 818107
Email: stacey@nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk

Matt Leighton, Marketing Director
Tel: +44 (0)1565 818106
Email: matthew@nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOLF CLUB CHALLENGE
www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk
Every golf club in the United Kingdom and Ireland is invited to enter their club in to The National Golf Club Challenge (to be held on the 24th or 25th July 2010). The aim of the challenge is to find The Help for Heroes National Golf Club Champions 2010. At the same time raising much needed funds and awareness for the excellent Help for Heroes charity as the UK golfing community come together for one day in their support for our injured forces.

ABOUT HELP FOR HEROES
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Help for Heroes was the idea of appeal chairman Bryn Parry and a group of friends and relations. They wanted to help wounded soldiers returning home from combat and came up with several fundraising ideas which led to Help for Heroes being born. The Charity are completely non political and accept wars happen under any government, all they want to do with the help of the British public, is to assist our wounded heroes.