Kedleston Park in Derbyshire saw over 300 spectators take to the stunning parkland golf course on Friday March 28 to cheer on European Senior Tour stars Paul Wesselingh and DJ Russell in a Skins Match in aid of charity.
The Club welcomed back former Head professional and European Tour Committee member and European Senior Tour Chairman DJ Russell as well as 2013 European Senior Tour Order of Merit winner Paul Wesselingh.
While current Head Professional and 2013 Lombard Trophy winner Ian Walley and 2013 McEvoy Trophy winner, Bradley Moore complete the quartet of players.
The match, which was played over 12 holes, was refereed by Kedleston Park General Manager and 2014 Ryder Cup Referee, Robert Simpson and while it was Wesselingh who set the early pace with an eagle three on the par five first hole, it was resident professional Ian Walley who took charge of proceedings from the second.
Winning his first skin on the challenging par four second hole, Walley’s birdies at the fourth, fifth and eighth holes were matched by DJ and then Bradley Moore, before the current Head Professional rolled in a birdie putt on the par four ninth hole to secure seven skins and all but seal the match.
The event provided a fantastic exhibition of golf with players associated with Kedleston Park from the past, present and future and it was 16 year old Bradley Moore who hit the shot of the day, an uphill 165-yard bunker shot at the testing par four ninth hole. The young England amateur golfer then went on to record impressive birdies at both the tenth and 11th holes to win his first, and successive, skins of the day.
The 12th and final hole was fittingly halved with each player winning funds for the charities of their choice, as well as Club Captain, Chris Nye’s Charity, Parkinson’s Society. With £50 up for grabs on each of the first three holes, £100 on holes four to six, £150 on holes seven to nine and £200 from holes ten to 12 – over £1,500 was raised for worthy causes and Ian Walley was presented with a cheque for £450 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.
Ian Neal, Kedleston Park Chairman, said: “The event was designed to mark the success of 2013; the most successful year in the clubs history. We were delighted to welcome both DJ and Paul back to the club for what was a thoroughly enjoyable day for members, guests and visitors. It was fantastic to see so many people on the fairways supporting the event and to know that in both Ian and Bradley, the future of our club is in safe hands.”
