Following more than a year with no physical events, Celtic FC Foundation have been delighted to finally welcome supporters back in person once again, to fundraising events in recent week. The Celtic Skydive took place on Saturday, June 5, as a group of brave supporters jumped out of a plane to raise funds and our Foundation Golf Day followed last Friday.
Renfrew Golf Club played host to yet another hugely successful Golf Day, with a fantastic total in excess of £11,000 raised, in support of our Football for Good Fund.
Our sixth Celtic FC Foundation Golf Day was supported again by our wonderful friends at Frux Private Bank, who generously donated the prize for the winning team – an opportunity to take part in the Frux Golf World Tour Final, during an all-expenses paid trip to Mallorca in May 2022.
The event saw 19 teams compete for the coveted Golf Day title, including a team of former Celts, this year made up by Tom Boyd, Willie McStay, Simon Donnelly and Darren O’Dea. They were also joined on the course by two further ex-players in John Fallon and Frank McAvennie, who took part among other Golf Day teams.
As always, the format was a Texas scramble with a shotgun start and the former Celts got the tournament underway at the 10th hole. It wasn’t long until the sun arrived in Renfrew and participants were able to enjoy a fine day of golf.
Following a wonderful round, the scores were tallied up and this year’s winners were announced. Congratulations once again to John McStay, Kevin Fagan, Connor McGlave and Stephen Duncan who posted the best score of the day to claim the top prize.
Following a fantastic three-course lunch, guests then heard from Donna-Marie Henry, the Foundation’s Head of Outcomes, who spoke about how funds raised from the event will support those most in need, through the Football for Good Fund.
Since March 2020, the Fund has risen to over £1.3million and we have worked with a host of partner organisations to provide urgent and vital food and essentials, assistance to challenge fuel poverty, and mental health support, to those most affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Next up was a Q&A with the former Celts, who shared some wonderful insight and stories from their playing days and beyond, before the Golf Day was rounded off with an auction and prize draw.
Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, spoke of his gratitude to all of those who have helped make the day such a success, saying: “Friday’s Golf Day marked a great moment for Celtic FC Foundation and our supporters. I know that those who took part had been eagerly anticipating this event, having missed out last year and it certainly didn’t fail to deliver.
“We’re so pleased to finally be able to engage with supporters at a physical event once again and hopefully we are now heading in the right direction and can look forward to more in the coming months.
“I would like to thank all of the Golf Day teams who took part and supported us on the day, including the former Celts involved, Tom, Willie, Simon, Darren, John and Frank. Thank you to our Foundation Supporters’ Committee who, as always, played an integral part in the organisation and delivery of this event.
“Many thanks to Frux Private Bank for donating such an incredible prize for the Golf Day winners. We are very grateful to have their continued backing and we look forward to welcoming them back next year.
“Thanks also to all of those who have donated items for our auction and prize draw including Glasgow Gailes Golf Club, the Royal Burgess Golfing Society, Stephen Gallacher, the Woodside Aberdour, Mellon Money Managers, Dafabet and many, many more, as well as Eden Mill St. Andrews and American Golf for their goody bag donations and Bell & Bain, who kindly donated printed materials for the day.
“My final thank you goes to our wonderful hosts at Renfrew Golf Club, who have worked tirelessly to accommodate and look after us in fantastic fashion, as they always do.”
To register your interest in our 2022 Golf Day, please email [email protected] or call 0141 551 4204.
