IT was a winning round for Celtic FC Foundation as Renfrew Golf Club played host to another successful Celtic FC Foundation Golf Day last Friday. The event, now four-years-old, was sponsored this year by Eden Mill St Andrews and raised a magnificent total in the region of £14,000.

Once again, golf-loving Celtic fans showed great support for the sold-out event, with 22 teams taking part and the main beneficiary was Celtic FC Foundation’s Ability Counts project.

Among those competing for the coveted Golf Day trophy were last year’s winners, Tynemouth’s Green and White, as well as a team of former Celts comprising Stiliyan Petrov, Simon Donnelly, Stephen McManus and Mark Burchill. Club Ambassador Tom Boyd and Lisbon Lion John Fallon were also in attendance, both taking part with other Golf Day teams aiming to clinch the title.

It was the former Celts who got the tournament underway with a shotgun tee-off at the tenth hole and as a wonderful day of golf ensued, golfers were blessed with glorious sunshine for the remainder of their round.

While out on the course, there was a welcome addition from Eden Mill St Andrews as golfers were invited to enjoy a complimentary gin and tonic, courtesy of the event sponsor.

After a closely-fought contest, the eventual winners were the team from Derek Mitchell Electrical, who not only claimed the Celtic FC Foundation Golf Day title but also a tremendous prize courtesy of Frux Private Bank – an all-expenses paid trip to Mallorca for the Frux Golf World Tour in June 2019.

Following the day’s play, guests were treated to a tasting session hosted by Rosie Milne, Eden Mill St Andrews’ expert, followed by a fantastic three-course lunch, auction and prize draw. The Golf Day was rounded off with a Q&A session with the former Celts, who shared stories of their time with the club.

Operating since 2011, main beneficiary Ability Counts is aimed at helping children and young people who may ordinarily be excluded from mainstream activities and need to be given a chance. The project offers children and young people with Down’s Syndrome the opportunity to develop motor skills and team-working skills, through weekly sessions such as football and dance.

Ability Counts also offers weekly activities for children and young people with Autism, which aim to develop communication, co-ordination, self-confidence and social skills through sessions such as football, multi-sports, fun games, soft play and swimming.

The growth of the project continued in 2018 with the addition of a third strand, Ability Counts 18+, which provides a pathway for participants and others of adult age to learn skills around employability and mature learning.

Commenting on the success of the Golf Day, Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive Tony Hamilton said: “This has been our fourth annual Celtic FC Foundation Golf Day and the event continues to be a wonderful success each year. I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part, including our team of ex-Celts.

“I must also thank our tournament sponsors Eden Mill St Andrews, whose presence on the day really added another dimension to the Golf Day experience for our teams. In addition, thanks to Frux Private Bank and all other organisations and individuals who donated a host of fantastic prizes for the day.

“Finally, I would like to compliment the staff at Renfrew Golf Club who have looked after us brilliantly as always, as well as give thanks to our Celtic FC Foundation Supporters’ Committee, who have once again been integral in ensuring the success of this event.”

To register your interest in our 2019 Golf Day, please email [email protected] or call 0141 551 4204.