As we enter the third year of Betfred’s sponsorship of the British Masters we find ourselves at the wonderful Belfry Resort for the first time since 2008.
The Belfry is synonymous with The Ryder Cup, having hosted the competition four times, with great moments such as Paul McGinley holing the winning putt before celebrating in the lake that famous Ryder Cup win of 2002 providing terrific memories.
Following last years Betfred British Masters which was played behind closed doors at Close House in Newcastle I had really hoped that this year we would be able to welcome back sizeable crowds to The Belfry but unfortunately that has proved not to be possible and once again the tournament must take place without a crowd, despite valiant efforts by the organisers, as we continue to be affected by the Covid pandemic.
The Covid issues have severely affected not only golf but all sport globally and I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the European Tour on staging so many top quality events such as the ‘UK Swing’ over the last twelve months despite such obviously challenging circumstances, it has been much appreciated.
Our host this year is Yorkshireman Danny Willett and we are most grateful to the 2016 Masters’ champion following in the footsteps of Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood in hosting the Betfred British Masters.
With the Ryder Cup having been delayed twelve months Danny will no doubt be looking to find the form to join Padraig Harrington’s team Europe in September with Whistling Straits also no doubt figuring in the thoughts of former world number one and two-time major winner Martin Kaymer, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.
As in previous years Betfred will be supporting Danny by donating £1,000 for a birdie and £2,000 for an eagle to this years official charity which is Prostate Cancer UK.
We will also be donating £50,000 to Prostate Cancer UK should any gofer find a ‘hole in one’ at the Betfred 14th hole. We were pleased to hand over a cheque for £50,000 last year to The Graham Wylie Foundation when Jack Senior managed a ‘hole in one’ at Close House and would be absolutely delighted to if it were to happen again here at The Belfry.
So we look forward to four days of terrific golf my thanks go to The European Tour and the Belfry and whilst we may not be able to attend this year we can certainly enjoy the next best thing with, as always, superb coverage from our broadcast partner Sky Sports.
……Enjoy! and see you next year
Fred Done, Boss of Betfred
