Oceânico host John Aldridge Charity Classic
Football legend John Aldridge spearheaded a festival of golf at Vilamoura
18/10/07 to 21/10/07
Football legend John Aldridge spearheaded a festival of golf at Vilamoura that spanned all levels of the game, from weekend amateur to world-class professional
Football legend John Aldridge spearheaded a festival of golf at Vilamoura that spanned all levels of the game, from weekend amateur to world-class professional.
The former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool star staged his sixth annual John Aldridge Charity Golf Classic in October, alongside the 2007 Portugal Masters, which starred many of the world’s top golfers chasing a €3m prize fund.
The tournament, hosted this year on the Oceânico Millennium and Oceânico Laguna courses, raised a record €30,000 for its three beneficiaries, children’s charities in Dublin, Liverpool and in the Algarve, bringing the total raised since it was first played in 2002 to over €130,000.
The prizegiving dinner’s charity auction raised more than €13,500, and led to the hilarious sight of the host, former ‘Brookside’ actor Vince Earl, dropping his trousers and donning a pair of Frank Dettori’s tiny jodhpurs, on the promise of a €1,000 bid if he did just that!
A Brazil shirt signed by Ronaldinho and a signed Barcelona shirt each attracted successful bids of €2,000. A driver signed by Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke went for €1,500.
Aldridge, explaining where the money goes, gave as an example last year’s £7,000 cheque to Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
‘I received a letter from the hospital a few months later,” he explained. “They said the money had been used to set up four units helping children with terminal illnesses to spend the last two weeks of their lives at home with their families, in familiar and comforting surroundings.”
Niall Quinn, the former Republic of Ireland and Arsenal striker, now owner and Chairman of Sunderland FC and who was made an honorary MBE by the Queen for his own services to charity, was one of the many celebrities taking part in an event that attracted 136 players in 34 four-man teams.
“It’s my debut here and I’ve loved every minute of it, from the first second to last,” he said. “It’s been a brilliant couple of days, a lovely atmosphere, everyone with a smile on their face.
“I hope to get the nod next year. It’s absolutely fantastic and I look forward to it.”
Quinn added: “I have to pass a huge compliment to Aldo. He’s just one of the real good guys, so genuine.
“He isn’t in it for the publicity and the plaudits, and you know it’s going to be done well whether it’s under the glare of publicity or quietly out of the public gaze. Either way, he puts enthusiasm and energy into it.”
Ann Scanlon, from Limerick was the first woman to enter as part of a men’s team and she admitted: “I thought I was just coming to play golf with my husband, so it was a bit daunting but great fun.
“I was the only woman in what was otherwise a men’s golf society at work, so I have travelled this path before—but not with 135 versus one!
“Still, I’ve got five brothers so I am used to being surrounded by boisterous men!”
RESULTS:
OVERALL:
1st Individual: Stephen Hughes—81 pts.
2nd Individual: Paulo Pingo—79 pts.
3rd Individual: Julian Patterson—78 pts.
Overall Celebrity: Johnny Carol—75 pts.
Best Overall Team: The Putters—188 pts. O
OCEÂNICO MILLENIUM:
Longest drive: Alan McClearn
Nearest the pin: Steve Copeland
Best Team Score Millenium Course: The Belfast Boys—97 pts.
OCEÂNICO LAGUNA:
Longest drive: Alan McClearn
Nearest the pin: Mark Cookson
Best Team Score Laguna Course: The Professionals—94 pts.