Monty’s big charity drive

May 6 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association are joining forces with Colin Montgomerie in a unique new charity partnership which will give grassroots golfers the opportunity to play with the victorious Ryder Cup captain.

Both governing bodies are adopting the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation as their official charity partner, while a new event is being launched which will see Perthshire-based Monty lining up alongside 80 club golfers at The Carrick on Loch Lomond in September.

As part of the activities designed to raise £1m for new Maggies Centres in Aberdeen and Lanarkshire, golf clubs across the region will also be given the chance to “Win Monty for a Day” in return for their fundraising efforts.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Montgomerie said: “I am delighted to welcome the SGU and SLGA on board as partners of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and hope members of Scottish golf clubs will get involved with these two fantastic initiatives.”

“We’ve already had fantastic support from golfers since I launched the charity back in 2008 and they have helped us towards our fundraising goals. The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation is working with Maggie’s to help many people in Scotland with cancer. I am keen to give something back to clubs and their members through this partnership, whether that is playing with them or visiting the club for a day and inspiring their next generation of golfers,” added Montgomerie.

The new SGU and SLGA event will be named ‘Monty’s Monthly Medal’, sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, and qualifying for the event will take place on the weekend of the Open Championship (July 14-17).

Every club in Scotland will be invited to run a stableford competition alongside their monthly medal or equivalent event that weekend, at a cost of £3 per player.

The leading 80 players from across Scotland will qualify for the final, taking place on Monday, September 19 at the Carrick on Loch Lomond, with Monty playing a hole with each of the finalists.

A fundraising competition will run alongside the golf event with the three clubs generating the most money for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation throughout the season being rewarded with a visit by Monty with the Ryder Cup to their club later in the year.

Andy Salmon, development manager for the SGU and SLGA, welcomed the opportunity to support such an important cause.

The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation was set up as a legacy to Colin’s late mother and is working alongside the Maggies’ Cancer Care Centres to raise money to establish two new buildings at the Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire and the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Further details on how your club can take part in “Monty’s Monthly Medal” can be found by visiting the SGU website at www.scottishgolf.org or by contacting the Scottish Golf Union on 01334 466477.