One of south Shropshire most promising golfers, who has already competed internationally and is on the verge of turning professional, will celebrate his 21st birthday by raising money for seriously ill children.
Jonathan Gidney, from Hope Bowdler, has decided to host an 18 hole Texas Scramble golf tournament on July 5 at Church Stretton Golf Club to raise money for Promise Dreams, a Wolverhampton based charity which raises money to help fulfil the dreams of seriously and terminally-ill children.
The Church Stretton Golf Club-hosted evening will also feature a hog roast, organised by the Gidney family as a thank you to all those who have helped Jonathan with his golf.
Jonathan, who took up golf when he was 12, first heard about Promise Dream through his dad, and thought it sounded like a worthy cause.
He said: “This will be the first time I’ve raised money for charity. My birthday is on June 20, but I will be playing a golf tournament then. July 5 was the first date I could manage.”
Jonathan said he rejected the traditional 21st celebrations, such as a boozy party or clubbing, in favour of playing golf. “I wanted to celebrate by spending a day up at the golf course. And I also wanted to thank the Church Stretton Golf Club - they have encouraged me since I was little.”
Jonathan, who is already the course record holder at Church Stretton, plans to turn professional at the end of 2008. This year he will play full time amateur tournaments across Europe.
