I Played In A Celebrity Pro-Am... Here's What Happened!

Ahead of the PGA Seniors Championship, the flagship event on the Legends Tour, I had the opportunity to tee it up in the Celebrity Series Pro-Am. This gives amateur golfers the chance to compete alongside both a Legends Tour player and a celebrity. In my case, it was 2021 Senior Open Champion Stephen Dodd and former BBC Breakfast sports presenter and Strictly Come Dancing Champ, Chris Hollins - we were also joined by popular YouTuber, The Average Golfer. Watch the video below to see what happened!

As many reading this will know, Formby is a bucket-list golf course and on the eve of the Championship was set up for tournament conditions. Having the opportunity to watch a top golfer up close in this environment, listening to the strategy conversations and seeing the quality of his ball-striking was hugely impressive. As an amateur there is plenty to learn about the art of building a score by avoiding trouble and taking your chances. 

Whilst Stephen was clearly using the Pro-Am to get a sighter of the course, it was also a very relaxed affair. Both he and Chris Hollins were more than happy to chat throughout the round about whatever topics came up. Chris’ insider’s view into what happens behind the scenes on Strictly Come Dancing was a particular highlight!

 The four of us were competing as a team and for a long period looked to be in with a chance of winning (a disappointing finish saw us finish just outside the prizes). Regardless, having the opportunity to play one of the UK's great golf courses in such company made it a day to remember.

The Alliance: Staysure PGA Seniors Championship

The amateur involvement in the event didn’t finish once the Celebrity Pro-Am was over. The PGA Seniors Championship is an Alliance event on the European Legends Tour which means that amateurs get the chance to compete alongside the pros in the main event. Each group features two professionals and one amateur. 

As the pros are competing for one of the most prestigious titles in seniors golf, the atmosphere changes. The Alliance amateurs experience the true cut and thrust of a top sporting event, seeing how their own golf game’s stand up to the pressure and the test of a top golf course set up for tournament play. By bringing regular golfers into the fray and giving them the chance to compete as individuals, the Legends Tour Alliance events take the pro-am format to a whole new level.