European Tour Members Andrew Oldcorn, Stuart Little and Malcolm Mackenzie last month helped to raise more than £3000 in an exhibition match played at Minchinhampton Golf Club in Stroud, Gloucestershire, benefiting Juniors belonging to the three golf clubs that they represent.
On May 31, Bank Holiday Monday, over 200 spectators turned up to watch superb display of golf featuring the three golfers. Andrew Oldcorn, who won the 2001 Volvo PGA Championship, and one of Scotland’’s top golfers, played in the match representing Kings Acre Golf Club in Scotland. As well as Oldcorn, Malcolm Mackenzie representing Longcliffe Golf Club Junior Section in Leicestershire and Stuart Little representing the home club, took part in the match. Mackenzie won the Open de France in 2002, and at the start of the 2004 season embarked on his 22nd consecutive season on the Tour. Little is one of only a few left handers on the Tour, and in 2003 he finished outright second at the inaugural Benmore Developments Northern Ireland Masters on the Challenge Tour, two shots behind Darren Clarke.
There was plenty of excitement for the crowd on this outstanding occasion. They were able to watch 12 birdies made by the players in the match that finished on the 15th green. An albatross two on the par five 11th added to the excitement and ambiance of the day, when local favorite Little holed out with a five iron from 200 yards.
Even though the match finished on the 15th hole, the day was not over. A raffle was carried out with some truly fantastic prizes, including a golf bag signed by 31 professionals including nine Major winners, two Taylor Made drivers, and two tickets to this year’’s Ryder Cup Matches at Oakland Hills in Michigan.
At the end of the day, £3,165 was raised for the benefit of the Junior Sections of the three clubs, a tribute to the efforts made by the three European Tour Members, the 200 plus spectators and everyone else involved in planning the event.
