Gordon Brand Jnr and Ronan Rafferty, two of the stars set to take on Royal Porthcawl Golf Club at The 2014 Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex in July, have given their support to the Championship’s two official charities.
The two multiple European Tour winners and former Ryder Cup players visited staff and volunteers at the Tenovus and Age Cymru stores, which are opposite each other in Porthcawl town centre, taking the Senior Open trophy with them to help promote the two charities’ association with the Championship.
Age Cymru, the largest charity working for older people across Wales and Tenovus, Wales’ leading cancer charity, are the first Official Charities in the 28 year history of The Senior Open.
Their appointment extends professional golf’s charitable legacy in Wales after Tenovus’ association with The 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort, which generated nearly €1.4million as a result of a six year association with the biennial contest.
As part of the unprecedented initiative, both charities have been given a bespoke promotional code – the name of each charity – which spectators can used when purchasing tickets viawww.senioropengolf.comor the Championship ticket sales hotline 0800 023 2557.
For each ticket sold in advance of the Championship week using the special promotional code, a £5 donation will be made to the chosen charity, giving their supporter network and general spectators the chance to support these two Welsh causes, as well as watch some of golf’s most iconic names.
In addition, both Age Cymru and Tenovus have also been awarded an inventory of hospitality, ticketing and memorabilia enabling them to raise extra funds in the build-up to, during and after the Championship.
Clare Gallie, Director of Income Generation, Tenovus, said: “It was brilliant to have two golfing legends on our doorstep in Porthcawl to come and pay a visit to our shop and meet our staff and volunteers. We’re looking forward to seeing many more on the course in July.
“Every single day in Wales, 52 people are diagnosed with cancer, meaning our support services for patients and their loved ones are needed now more than ever.
“We’re delighted to have been chosen as one of the Official Charities of The Senior Open Championship this year alongside Age Cymru and we hope that through promotional code ticket sales we’ll be able to raise lots of money to help us support even more cancer patients and their families in communities throughout Wales, wherever and whenever they need us most.”
Richard Nicholls, Age Cymru Director of Income Resources, said: “Age Cymru is so excited about The Senior Open coming to Porthcawl, and we’re deeply grateful to the organisers for choosing us as a beneficiary charity. There are thousands of older people living in isolation in Wales and they need Age Cymru’s help. Golf fans can support us this year simply by coming along to see some of the greats as part of this winning partnership.”
Brand Jnr has a special affinity for Royal Porthcawl having won his maiden European Tour title, the Coral Classic, at the Bridgend venue in 1982, while former European Number One Rafferty will make his debut in The Senior Open Championship after turning 50 in January.
American Mark Wiebe won The 2013 Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Royal Birkdale, defeating two-time Masters Champion Langer in a play-off.
Tickets for The 2014 Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl can be bought online viawww.senioropengolf.comor by calling +44 (0)800 0232557, with details of hospitality packages also available.
