FOOTGOLF PHENOMENON KICKS OFF IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND

FootGolf – the UK’s fastest growing sport – kicks off at Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club this Summer with brand new series of events that will raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Butterwick Hospice.

FG-2Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club in Durham has become the newest UK golf facility to be accredited by UK FootGolf, the governing body of the sport, and, with partner CSL Events, has announced the launch of the first-ever North East FootGolf Series to run throughout Summer 2016.

FootGolf fuses the sports of football and golf and is played with a size five football on specially designed courses with oversized holes measuring 50cms in width.
Players have to get the ball in the hole in the fewest number of shots using only their feet.

Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside Golf Club, said: “FootGolf has exploded in popularity in the past three years and nationally huge numbers of people are trying it because it combines two of Britain’s favourite sports.

FG-12FootGolf is easy to pick up, can be played by people of all ages and fitness levels and is a totally new way of having fun at a golf club.”

The series will raise both funds and awareness for Butterwick Hospice and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, and officially launched today (7 April) with football personalities from around the North East trying FootGolf for the first time.

Former Newcastle United FC and England Footballer Steve Howey was joined by Ex-Sunderland AFC legend Gary Bennett and players from Durham Womens FC to lace up their boots and try to beat par rather than a goalkeeper.

FG-6The series of five FootGolf events are being organised in partnership with CSL Events, a part of Culture, Sport & Leisure CIC which is a North East community interest company, seeking to increase opportunities for local communities and businesses to access and engage in sporting and cultural activity.

Mark Blackbourne, director of Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: “FootGolf is sweeping across the UK rapidly and changing the way people perceive golf and golf clubs.

It’s quicker and easier to play than golf, lots of fun and is a perfect activity for corporate entertainment, team building and networking.”

FG-14The North East FootGolf series is open to teams of four players from the North East business community, commercial organisations and public sector bodies.

The series begins on May 11 with a unique opportunity for teams to try and beat a score set by professional and ex-professional footballers from the North East and culminates on September 21 with a Champion of Champions finale event.

For more information, visit: www.northeastfootgolf.co.uk