THEY played in some of the biggest matches over the past couple of decades. But would you bet on a footballing great holing a pressure putt to bag a big prize?

That's what teams who will take part a new golf day hosted by star TV commentator Guy Mowbray are banking on.

The Match of the Day stalwart has persuaded his pals from the beautiful game to turn out at Sandburn Hall GC on Monday to help raise cash for St Leonard's Hospice.

Mark Lawrenson, Chris Waddle, former Sunderland defender Michael Gray, Paul Robinson and Matt Jansen are just some of the ex-professionals who have committed to appear.

It is a tournament with a twist. Branded the 'World Cup Shootout', the celebrity player for the top five teams will go back out onto the course compete over the Flaxton course's signature hole - the par 3, 163-yard 18th - until only one remains.

Prizes, with the support of York-based firm Glencor Golf Holidays, include a fourball at The Belfrey.

"It's something the club asked me to do a long time ago," Mowbray said. "I had been too busy but, this year, I thought 'let's do it and see how it goes'.

"If it works then it could be an annual event. Hopefully, we will have a good day.

"We sorted out the teams very quickly and we hope the day is a success. It has taken a lot more organising than we thought it would.

"Whatever we raise is a bonus for St Leonard's."

On the unusual finale, he added: "Every team will be allocated a name of one of the nation's at the World Cup - so unlucky if you get England.

"Instead of just ranking the team scores, the top five teams will go into a shoot-out on the 18th hole and their name player will be the player that represents them.

"It is going to be a last man standing, down the par three 18th, until we get a winner decided."

 

SUPERB scoring saw low handicapper Will Adamson claim Sandburn Hall GC's Club Championship.

The York Union player put together gross efforts of 70 and 69 in the 36-hole tournament, held over two days at the Flaxton course, for a five under par total.

That was enough to pip course golf manager Rob Heath - 71 and 69 - by a single shot. High-flying junior Ciaran Matthews was third with two rounds of 77 and 74 and that was enough to see him lift the handicap title.

Grace Anderson won the ladies' championship, her gross score of 89 enough to give her the title by nine shots over lady captain Jayne Liddell. The latter's 98, however, off a handicap of 29, did give her the nett prize.