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Home > News > Archive 2007 > September > Pro-Am Golf tournament raises over 70,000 pounds for Jewish Care

Date:  17 September 2007

Jewish Care's 30th annual Pro-Am tournament is "the perfect day" as golfers chip in over £70,000 for charity

A record-breaking score of 22 under-par won the day at Jewish Care’s 30th Pro-Am Golf tournament at which more than £70,000 was raised for Rela Goldhill Lodge and the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre. The impressive winning score was achieved by a team comprising solicitors Andrew Brecher and Jeremy Abram, together with Richard Selby of property company Heritage Group and their professional Bobby Mitchell of the South Herts golf club.

Some 23 foursomes took part in the charity event on Tuesday 11th September, staged at The London Shire in Barnet, Hertfordshire – which recently opened as the first UK course designed by golfing legend Seve Ballesteros. The day was organised by Jeremy Curtis, chairman of Jewish Care’s Pro-Am Golf committee and his team, together with professionals from the East Region of the PGA.

Commenting on his team’s win, Andrew Brecher said: “It was just about the perfect day, in every possible sense. Everything from the way we played to the weather, and the organisation, was just marvellous. We play a number of these events – and are very competitive – but I can’t remember us playing so well before.”

He added: “This is a wonderful event to enter because of the excellent work carried out by Jewish Care. I saw this at first hand recently when visiting an elderly aunt – and feel this is one way we can support the staff providing such exceptional care. That’s why my practice, Brecher, is also proud to be corporate patrons of the charity.”

Runners-up on the day – with another exceptional round of 16 under-par - were a team representing DukeLease Properties - comprising committee-member Richard Leslie, Mark Gershinson and Barry Burns, ably assisted by their professional Paul Hetherington of the Great Hadham golf club.

Prizes – including £765 for the top pro Mark Litton of Bedford golf club with a three under-par 69 – were presented by tournament chairman Jeremy Curtis, who thanked players, donors and advertisers for participating in the day.

Richard Franklin, Jewish Care’s fundraising director, said: “The generosity shown by everyone involved [in this tournament] is heart-warming. This event helps us to fund services at the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre in Hendon and at Rela Goldhill Lodge in Golders Green, a home for people with severe physical disabilities. It is a privilege to work alongside this group of people who have shown their dedication and loyalty to our work for a number of years – and we look forward to our continued association.”