Andy Sullivan and Willie Thorne the special guests at charity golf event

EUROPEAN Ryder Cup star Andy Sullivan and snooker legend Willie Thorne took centre stage at a charity event at Welcombe Golf Club on Monday.

Eighty golfers, including six PGA professionals took part in a stableford team competition, raising money for organiser Golf to a Tee’s chosen charity, Parkinson’s UK.

The leading pro team included Welsh amateur champion Ben Chamberlain and he thrilled the crowd by scoring seven birdies.

A team led by Mark Redding, a Parkinson’s sufferer from Penn Golf Club, was part of the leading overall team on the day. A team from Ladbroke Park Golf Club, led by David Pearce, finished second.

Sullivan and Thorne then entertained the Welcombe crowd afterwards in an event that raised £4,000 for Parkinson’s UK.

Terry Rawding, managing director of organisers Golf to a Tee, said: “It was a fantastic event. Players came from all over the UK to play with professional golfers.

“Parkinson's UK is a cause close to my heart as my mother suffers from the disease. Amongst the players were many with relatives who suffer from Parkinson’s and others with the disease played.

“I’d like to thank the many local and national businesses that helped with this great fundraising effort and planning has now started on how we can top this event.”