Cricket legend plays top resort

The Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club in California hosted the Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic which raises record amount for charity...

Sporting celebrities and legends from the entertainment world gathered for the Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic, at the Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club last month.

The event, which was presented by joint sponsors talkSPORT Radio and Java Trading Company raised in excess of £60,000 for Leukaemia Research.

Ian Woosnam OBE, Dennis Taylor, Steve Cram MBE, Matt Dawson MBE and Sir Ian Botham himself were just some of the keen celebrities and professional sportsmen at the resort to captain their amateur teams of three to compete for this years trophy; playing 36-holes over two days.

talkSPORT Breakfast radio show presenter Alan Brazil and Current Affairs presenter Jon Gaunt were broadcasting live from Desert Springs during the tournament with talkSport's Golf Correspondent Rupert Bell patrolling the course on both tournament days carrying out live interviews with the celebrity team captains during their rounds.

After two competition rounds, the eventual winners with a combined total of 177 stableford points were the team led by former Worcestershire and England cricketer Neal Radford, partnered by his two sons Luke and Neal with Norman Emery.  

Runners up were the team captained by former Wasps and England Rugby Union player Matt Dawson MBE, with a combined total of 169 stableford points, just one point ahead of the team captained by Sir Ian Botham.

The Gala Dinner was held at the El Torrente Restaurant and at the charity auction afterwards items on offer included the opportunity to play a round of golf at Desert Springs with 2006 Ryder Cup Captain and US Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE, which fetched £4,000 and the opportunity to attend a private dinner at Coutts Bank with Sir Ian Botham which made £8,000.

Sir Ian Botham said, "My decision to select Desert Springs to host the grand final of my Charity Golf Series for 2008 was the right one! Considering the times we all find ourselves in at the moment, it is really pleasing that this year we have managed to exceed the funds raised last year, which underlines the success of the event."

Source: www.Almanzora.com