The Ryder Cup may be over for another two years but connections to the great biennial event are ubiquitous. Earlier this month at a fund-raiser at the Foxhills Country Club & Resort in Surrey, Ian Woosnam, the victorious captain in 2006 and winner of the 1991 Masters, could be seen being driven around the course in a golf cart to watch the competitors in action at the club’s annual autumn charity classic.
Woosie’s role was not confined to cheerleading. He is one of nine golf champions who are part of a libation-loving consortium called ‘Wines of Golf Legends’. The other champions in this club include impressive names: Michael Campbell, Laura Davies, David Frost, Bernhard Langer, Nancy Lopez, Jose Maria Olazabal, Costantino Rocca and Jean van de Velde. (Two more victorious Ryder Cup captains in that bunch!) Diners at the function were treated to a rosé from Woosnam’s selection, a rioja chosen by Olazabal and champagne courtesy of Dame Laura.
The 24 teams were competing for some exceedingly handsome prizes. For example, a private box at Ascot; tickets to see England play Wales at Twickenham in February; a tour of the McLaren Formula 1 factory in Woking; a round for three players at the Wentworth Club; a round for a threeball over the Royal Household Golf Club at Windsor Castle (Prince Andrew would not be involved).
The event organiser is Brendan Reynolds, a Foxhills Ambassador. Around £27,000 was raised for the Foxhills Community Camps, which help disadvantaged children in the local area by providing three nutritious meals a day, offering various activities and a safe supervised environment in which the children can enjoy themselves. This year that amounted to helping 730 kids. Further information about the camps can be obtained from Karen Johnson-Barr at kjohnson-barr@foxhills.co.uk