Golfers chip to help our heroes

Apr 16 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A GROUP of Perthshire golfers are swinging into action to help injured military personnel and their families.

Spearheading the Help for Heroes fundraising event at Auchterarder Golf Club on June 5 – which involves a competition followed by a summer ball – is Dunblane resident, Emily Bryce.

Treasurer of the club’s ladies section, Mrs Bryce, whose father fought during World War II, said she knew from personal family experience just how devastating combat injuries could be, both physically and emotionally.

“We keep seeing these young men and women on TV who are suffering horrific injuries, or dying, and it’s such an ordeal for them and their families,” she said.

“I feel that people don’t fully realise the effect war has on families and in my heart I feel we’ve got to do something to help these people.”

After enlisting golf club peers, Mary Stockton and John Morrison, to assist, Mrs Bryce started planning what was initially envisaged as a modest event last September, but which “like Topsy, started to grow”.

Not only was the response from potential business sponsors overwhelming, but tickets sold at warp speed, with two teams of Black Watch soldiers and a padre from Fort George readily accepting an invitation to compete.

“So many Black Watch soldiers will be going on tour again in Afghanistan and everyone is worried about these young men and women who are really trying to protect our way of life, with some paying a hefty price,” she said.

First prize at the Stableford format event, with teams of four in any gender and age combination, is a game of four ball at the prestigious Gleneagles course.

Other golf clubs have also chipped in, with second to fourth prizes being four ball games at Buchanan Castle, Crieff and Dunblane courses, and an additional four ball game at Callander for the coloured ball victor.

Mrs Bryce said other sponsors – “with more in the pipeline” – included the Knock Castle Hotel, Highland Spring, Marks and Spencer, Ignite your Brand, Osprey Homecare, Baxters of Speyside, Nevada Bob's, The Linen Box and D & R Johnstone.

“Anyone we’ve approached, cap in hand, have been more than happy to help – even smaller sponsors like Campbell Scott, a lady member’s fishmonger who drives a van here from Arbroath, gave us £100,” she said.

“It’s just been absolutely fantastic and we’re now on target to raise a considerable sum, and hope that people give generously on the day when we walk around with our collection buckets.

“We are all looking forward to a glorious day of golf on our beautiful course, and ensuring the Black Watch soldiers will have a day to remember.”

Few tickets now remain but more sponsors are welcome. Tickets per team of four are £36 and entry to the summer ball, with live music from Glaswegian outfit, the Gordon Walker trio, costs £15.

All enquiries to Emily Bryce: emilysgbryce@hotmail.com