Newcastle United’s former striker and England captain Alan Shearer is set to star in the Hero Pro-Am golf tournament at the British Masters this year, following the event’s long-awaited return to the North East.
The British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, comes to Close House for the first time in the event’s 70-year history. The Masters is one of the leading tournaments on the European Tour and is hosted by former world number one golfer Lee Westwood, who currently stands at 80/1 odds on BetStars to win the US Open this year.
Professionals will compete for their share of a three million pound prize pool, with the tournament taking place from September 28th – October 1st. The Hero Pro-Am takes place a day earlier on Wednesday 27th September.
With the event back in the NE for the first time in 45 years, what better way to celebrate than to invite one of Newcastle’s best-loved celebrities, and one of the greatest footballers of all times, to come along and tee off with the pros?
Alan Shearer is a man who needs no introduction here. His career included ten years at The Magpies, with a record 206 goals throughout his streak at the club. He is the all-time Premier League top goalscorer, still unbeaten, and represented the international England side on a great number of occasions.
Shearer is also a keen golfer, and he plays with a handicap of six. He wants to show fans that he can be as clinical on the green as he is in front of the net. Shearer is looking forward to playing in front of a local crowd.
“Close House is a beautiful course, one that I am very familiar with. I just hope I can put in a good performance in front of the Geordie fans.” said Shearer.
The British Masters won’t be Shearer’s first golfing event. He previously played in the Pro-Am for the BMW PGA Championship earlier in the year, again teaming up with Lee Westwood to make it happen. Shearer considers himself friendly with Westwood, and says it was an easy decision to play again when he was asked about the British Open event.
Proceeds from the day of the Hero Pro-Am competition will go to the tournament’s official charity for the year, the Graham Wylie Foundation. They provide assets and services for underprivileged people, and fund projects that will benefit groups who need their help in the North East.
Fans are already getting behind the British Masters, with 10,000 free tickets having already been given away in less than a half an hour for the opening day on Thursday.
Tickets for the Pro-Am are available here, and it will cost £15 to see if Alan Shearer’s swing is anywhere near as good as his penalty kicks. Tickets are also available for all four days of the tournament. Hospitality packages for Colt Pavilion, overlooking the 18th hole of the Colt Course on which the Masters takes place, are available from £275.
