Liverpool FC legends help to raise vital funds for disabled children at celebrity golf classic

Liverpool FC legends help to raise vital funds for disabled children at celebrity golf classic

Two of Liverpool Football Club’s greatest ever players swapped their football shorts for plus fours last week when they appeared in a charity golf tournament in Spain.

Ronnie Whelan and Alan Kennedy took to the fairways at the La Manga Club, near Murcia, to play in the annual Caudwell Children Celebrity Golf Classic on Thursday 26^th and Friday 27^thSeptember, 2019.

Caudwell Children is a national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families.

The event, launched in 2011, is the charity’s flagship sporting fundraiser and features a number of stars from the worlds of television, sport and music.

“It was fabulous meeting up with Ronnie and the lads and it was a really enjoyable couple of days,” explained Kennedy. “La Manga is arguably the world’s best sports resort and the golf courses are superb.

“But I particularly enjoyed it because it’s such a good cause as the charity has recently launched a specialist sports programme that provides disabled children with the sports equipment that they need to participate, which is simply fantastic.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to play sport as it’s vital for their physical health and mental wellbeing, so I was delighted to support the charity by playing in the event.”

Kennedy, who picked up 2 European Cups, 6 First Division Championships and 4 League Cups during his time at Anfield, says the pressure was off during the tournament. As he exclaimed. “Ronnie plays much more golf than me, he’s never off the course so I expected him to do better than me.

“Clarke Carlisle, the ex-Premier League defender with Burnley, also played in the event and he’s quite obsessive about the game.

“So I have to be honest and say to get anywhere near them gave me the moral victory!”

La Manga is located in a beautiful setting, bordered by natural parks and unspoilt beaches in the Murcia region of Spain.

It’s first-class facilities, and superior accommodation, has attracted professional athletes, clubs, sporting associations and celebrities since it opened in 1972, including David Beckham, actors Matt Damon and Sean Connery and Real Madrid Football Club.

“There was plenty of football talk as we made our way around the course,” continued Kennedy. “We played in a number of very successful Liverpool sides; Ronnie won a European Cup, six First Division Championships, two FA Cups and three League Cups at the club so there were lots of stories to tell about those great days back in the 70s and 80s.”

The pair also took part in a Question and Answers session at a Gala Dinner to celebrate the event, which raised over £8,500 for the charity.

“The Q and A gave us a real insight into the pair,” said Mark Bushell, from Caudwell Children, who hosted the session. “Ronnie went into great detail about his time as a youngster honing his skills in the League of Ireland.

“He also surprised a good number of people in the audience when he told them that he had been offered a contract at both Manchester United and Celtic before he finally signing for Liverpool.

“The pair brought the house down with their anecdotes and even for the passionate golfers in the room it was one of the highlights of the event.”

You find out more and register your interest in next year’s Caudwell Children Celebrity Golf Classic by calling 01782 433750 or you can email: events@caudwellchildren.com

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