Beefy’s Charity Golf Series

Sporting celebrities & legends from the world of Golf, Football, Horse Racing, Snooker, Athletics, Cricket, Rugby and the entertainment industry gathered in support of the Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic Grand Final, presented by joint sponsors talkSPORT Radio and Java Trading Company at the Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club between Thursday 30th October and Saturday 1st November, 2008. The event raised in excess of 70,000 Euros for Leukaemia Research.

Ian Woosnam OBE, Steve Richardson, Paul Way, D.J. Russell, Peter Baker, Jimmy Case, Mick Fitzgerald, Dennis Taylor, Steve Cram MBE, Matt Dawson MBE and Sir Ian Botham himself were just some of the keen celebrities and professional sportsmen at the resort to captain their amateur teams of 3 to compete for this years trophy; playing 36-holes over two days.

Leukaemia Research was established in 1960 and is the only national research charity solely devoted to leukaemia and related blood disorders in both adults and children. The charity is committed to improving treatments, finding cures and learning how to prevent leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and other lymphomas, myeloma and other related blood disorders, which are diagnosed in 24,500 people in the UK every year. Its work depends entirely on voluntary donations.

Proceedings commenced on Thursday with a welcome cocktail and BBQ and team draw announcement followed by a fun ‘Casino Evening’ held at the Resort’s ‘Crocodile Club’ to raise money to be donated to Leukaemia Research.

talkSPORT Breakfast radio show presenter Alan Brazil and Current Affairs presenter Jon Gaunt were broadcasting live from Desert Springs during the tournament with talkSport’s Golf Correspondent Rupert Bell patrolling the course on both tournament days carrying out live interviews with the celebrity team Captains during their rounds.

After two competition rounds, the eventual winners with a combined total of 177 stableford points were the team led by former Worcestershire and England cricketer Neal Radford, partnered by his two sons Luke and Neal with Norman Emery.

Runners up were the team captained by former Wasps and England Rugby Union player Matt Dawson MBE, with a combined total of 169 stableford points, just one point ahead of the team captained by Sir Ian Botham himself!

The Gala Dinner was held at the award winning El Torrente Restaurant in Desert Springs, entertainment being provided by talkSPORT Radio presenter Alan Brazil, 1985 World Snooker Champion Dennis Taylor and renowned auctioneer Rosa McDermott.

At the Charity Auction held after dinner, some incredible items were on offer including the opportunity to play a round of golf at Desert Springs with 2006 Ryder Cup Captain and US Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE, which fetched 5,000.00 Euros and the opportunity to attend a private dinner at Coutts Bank with Sir Ian Botham which made 9,500.00 Euros.

Sir Ian Botham commented: –

‘My decision to select Desert Springs to host the Grand Final of my Charity Golf Series for 2008 was the right one! Having talkSPORT as joint presenting sponsor of this years event with both Alan and Jon broadcasting their shows live from the resort has certainly helped in creating even more awareness for Leukaemia Research and has added an additional fun element to the competition which is what it’s all about.

Considering the times we all find ourselves in at the moment, it is really pleasing that this year we have managed to exceed the funds raised last year, which underlines the success of the event.

The support for the grand final of my Charity Golf Series shown by the Desert Springs Resort and its Owners and Members was wonderful, as was the generosity and support of Java Trading and the commitment from my sporting celebrity friends to give up their time to help raise these vital funds for the Charity, Leukaemia Research, of which I am President. As a result, I am pleased to announce that once again I have selected Desert Springs to host the Grand Final of my 2009 Charity Golf Series.’

Commenting on the Indiana course, Ian Woosnam OBE remarked: –

‘Having last been here in 2004, the first thing I noticed was how mature the landscaping had become. It’s a course that provides you with a test for every shot you have in your bag. The course is in immaculate condition with greens of equal quality to those we play our own tour events on. If you want to hone your game, immaterial of what standard of golfer you are, then this is the place to come!"

Director of Golf, Simon Coaker remarked: –

‘There is no equal to Desert Springs in terms of the quality of the Indiana course and the warmth of welcome offered to our guests. Desert Springs continues to benefit in terms of its reputation for quality and as a venue that can host the most important events, national and international. The success of these newsworthy high profile events brings great prestige not only to the Resort, but also to the local area, the Municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora and the Levante Almeriense as a whole. The confidence in the resort evidenced by Sir Ian in selecting Desert Springs to host the Grand Final of his 2009 Charity Series underlines the growing maturity of the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club on the international scene.’