Almost £6,000 was raised for The Elexis Brown Golf Foundation as the charity held its first golf fundraiser at Stonebridge Golf Club earlier this month.
Ninety-six golfers travelled from all parts of the country to the Midlands venue and helped raise £5,770. The day included a beat-the-pro challenge with Hannah Bowen travelling up from South Wales to do her bit while Leicestershire businessman Saft Islam, owner of the Chutney Ivy restaurant, provided refreshments on the eighth tee.
The foundation was started and is run by the family and friends of talented golfer Elexis Brown, who died suddenly last year aged just 13. It aims to offer four children an all-encompassing golf package. That includes a year’s worth of free coaching with a PGA professional and also pays for 12 months of membership to a golf club in the local area where the junior lives.
Elexis’s dad and Foundation founder Ben Peter, who organised the day with the help of fellow trustees Phil Grimwood and Andy Myers plus Midlands Golfer, paid tribute to all those who came and donated so generously. After the golf had finished thousands were raised via an auction.
He said: “The foundation was delighted with how much money was raised on the day.
“Since we set up the foundation back in 2021 we have been overwhelmed with the support we have received in terms of money but also the belief in what we are trying to achieve going forward.”
YouTube star Liam Harrison hosted the auction and also partnered golfnews24.co.uk Managing Editor Mark Flanagan in one of the groups.
“It was a brilliant day and massive credit goes to Ben, Phil and the rest of the organisers,” said Mark.
“We are proud and honoured to support The Elexis Brown Golf Foundation. It’s aims are just what golf needs more of. Elexis disgracefully suffered discrimination because of her skin colour and anything that helps the sport become more inclusive and encourages participation deserves all our support.”
In December last year the foundation started supporting its first young golfer. Sapphire Boyce, who is based down in Hertfordshire, is now having regular coaching with PGA professional Lee Jordan.
It is also working with St Helens-based Grange Park Golf Club and its new Junior Golf Scholarship plan while Hannah Bowen is supporting the foundation by helping it find a junior girl or boy in South Wales to receive 12 months support.
For more information about the Foundation visit the elexisbrowngolffoundation.com