Kedleston Park celebrates successful charity skins match

Paul Wesselingh
Paul Wesselingh in action during the charity skins match at Kedleston Park

Four past and present Kedleston Park golfers took part in a skins match at the Derbyshire Club to raise £1,500 for charity

More than 300 golf fans took to Kedleston Park's fairways on Sunday as the Derbyshire Club staged a charity skins match to celebrate a milestone year for its past and present playing representatives.

Former head professional and European Tour Committee member DJ Russell, 2013 European Senior Tour Order of Merit winner Paul Wesselingh, current head professional and 2013 Lombard Trophy winner Ian Walley and 2013 McEvoy Trophy winner Bradley Moore took part in the match, the first of its kind since 1995.

The players - all current or former Kedleston Park members or representatives - competed in a 12-hole contest presided over by 2014 Ryder Cup referee and general manager Robert Simpson.

Wesselingh took an early lead with an eagle at the par-5 1st before Walley caught fire, winning seven skins over the next eight holes to all-but secure the match.

It was 16-year-old Moore who finished the contest with fireworks, following a stunning fairway bunker shot at the 9th with consecutive birdies at 10 and 11.

The 12th hole was fittingly halved, with all players winning money for their chosen charities, as well as funds for the Captain's Chartity, Parkinson's Society.

Following the golf, Walley was presented with a cheque for £450 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund - part of the £1,500 raised on the day for worthy causes.

"The event was designed to mark the success of 2013; the most successful year in the club's history.

"We were delighted to welcome both DJ and Paul back to the club for what was a thoroughly enjoyable day for members, guests and visitors.

"It was fantastic to see so many people of the fairways supporting the event and to know that in both Ian and Bradley, the future of our club is safe hands."

In 2013, Moore became one of the youngest-ever winner of the McEvoy Trophy, Walley claimed the Lombard Trophy and the PGA Pro Captain Challenge and Wesselingh won four European Senior Tour titles en route to Order of Merit glory.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x