Fortune rains in for - 25.09.2009

NOT even the wettest day of the year could dampen the spirits of the 100 golfers

It never stopped raining throughout the 18-hole charity competition for Breast Cancer Care in Tenerife, (AMATE), but there were smiles all round afterwards, epecially from legendary darts stars Eric Bristow and John Lowe.

The trio of Tony Bolsover, Ray Massey and John Fallows won the three-man-team competition, with Bernie Massey securing the Nearest The Pin prize.

And James Ferraby, soon to turn pro, shot an amazing gross 66 for a five-under-par – the finest round ever seen around Amarilla yellow tees.

For club captain Ian Pilling, the whole day and night was a dream come true. Deep down, he wanted to raise 5,000 euros for the charity closest to his heart, but as he said: “I’d have settled for something like 3,500 euros.”

In the event, thanks to the astonishing generosity of all concerned, the total compiled was a mind-blowing 5,300 euros.  

Former world darts champions Bristow and Lowe played their part to the full on the course – and even tossed their appearance fees into the charity hat.

Not only that, they then took on all-comers on the oche in the evening at  the total. “Eric said: “We had a smashing day, and night, and it was for such a worthy charity.”

Between the golf and the darts, Captain Pilling and his band of workers somehow squeezed in 250 people for the afternoon barbecue at the clubhouse, which added precious euros to the pot.

“It was magnificent effort to get all the people seated,” he said. “We worked like Trojans to make it happen. There was a British Bulldog approach to combat the adverse weather.

“Everyone rallied together with a spirited effort and there were no complaints. We had a superb day, and Summer Nites was packed out for the darts in the evening.”

He added: I was so proud of everyone who played, and everyone in the team of helpers. It was beyond our wildest dreams.

“A huge thanks to all our sponsors for their support, and to everyone who turned up and played their part to make it one of the great days at Amarilla Golf Club.”