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Kingston resident John Inverdale links up with family support charity Home-Start
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Epsom Golf Club members in period dress for the 125th Founders Day 2014
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Members of Epsom Golf Club, 1903
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Former British no.1 tennis player Sam Smith opens the Downswood Tennis clubhouse
It’s been a busy month for Surrey’s sports clubs, with openings, special announcements and celebrity guests galore. We bring you the latest round up
As January came to a close Kingston resident John Inverdale, well known radio and TV sports presenter, linked up with family support charity, Home-Start, at Effingham Golf Club. He’s helping to publicise their Charity Golf Day on Friday 28th March 2014 being organised by Home-Start schemes in Elmbridge and Guildford.
“I’m very pleased to be involved with such a worthwhile local charity. We all know how difficult it can be to bring up a young family at the best of times but when things are made difficult through illness, disability, depression or many other factors that life throws at you, families can reach breaking point” says John.
“I’ve heard a lot about how this charity works and think it’s a fantastic service to help families in their own homes give their young children the best start in life.”
Angela Hills of Home-Start Elmbridge thanked John for lending his support. “This means so much to our schemes. John has also offered to play the first 9 holes on the day so anyone wanting the chance to play with John should get in touch – all reasonable offers will certainly be considered!”
home-start-elmbridge.btck.co.uk or hsguildford.org.uk
Meanwhile, players at Epsom Golf club found out just how difficult it was for their founding fathers to master the game when they took to the fairways. Using old-fashioned hickory sticks and dressed in plus fours they celebrated the club’s 125th anniversary. The club, which boasts a former prime minister (The Earl of Rosebery) as a founding member, will be holding a series of birthday events this year including an open day in April.
Just up the road, Downswood Tennis Club served up a smashing celebration to mark the opening of its new £120,000 clubhouse, the building of which has took over a year and proved at times challenging for the clubhouse committee.
The club, which has been going since the 1930s, invited former British ladies No. 1 Sam Smith to cut the ribbon. Club President Peter Appleton said opening the new clubhouse was a momentous occasion and a milestone in the history of the club.
Last but not least – one for the kids: The 18-hole adventure golf course in New Malden, Surrey, Jurassic Encounter, reopened its doors on Saturday 15th Feb, just in time to welcome families during the February half term break. After a period of closure since the Christmas and New Year break, due to the recent storms, Players will once again have the opportunity to venture back to prehistoric time and play within cascading waterfalls, over island greens and through dark caves in the company of life-size animated dinosaurs.