THE STARS are shining once more in Paphos today and tomorrow as they take clubs in hand to take part in the ‘Legends of Sport’ golf tournament.
The aim of the tournament is to raise money for the Red Cross in Cyprus, while a Charity Raffle/Auction will be held and all proceeds donated to the Red Cross.
‘Off To A Tee’, who last year held the highly successful ‘Kenny Lynch Golf Classic’ to raise money for children with heart disease, got the show off to flying start on Thursday at the pre-party launch of the event.
Some of the celebrities on show included England Rugby Legend Jason Leonard, Former Liverpool and England World Cup winner Roger Hunt, Sky Sports presenter David Jones, Leeds United Striker Brian Deane and British Olympic athlete Brian Whittle.
Speaking about his time here, 37-year-old Deane says it was good to be able to chip in with time for charity events.
“I have been in Cyprus once before and spent some time with friends in Ayia Napa. But this is my first time in Paphos. I have always been busy with various events and now I am at a time in my career where I might have more time available so it’s nice to take part in charity events like these.”
But with the years ticking on, what can football punters expect from the tall, bustling striker. “Right now I’m just reaching a point where I’m thinking to myself that I might just have another year left in me playing so I’m looking at other things to do with football.”
Also enjoying his time out here is Sky Sports Presenter David Jones, who says taking part in charity events is always a great bonus.
“This is the first time that I am actually taking part in a charity event of this sort. When I got the call from a very persuasive character about this event I though ‘great’ because I love my golf, I love travelling and seeing different places as well and when it’s for a charity cause it’s always a bigger bonus.”
And he is no stranger to foreign golf courses, despite admitting that the first day trial was a little daunting for him.
“This is my first time in Cyprus and I have only been here 24 hours so I’ve only seen the hotel, the golf course, the bus and the sunshine and it’s all great. I’ve seen a few golf courses on foreign soil, namely in Mallorca and Tenerife, and it’s fairly similar in that that you have to do a lot of travelling between tees which you wouldn’t do in England.
“People in England like to go for a nice walk in the park so to speak. As for the golf course in Paphos, the fairway was nice and the greens were really good and it was interesting. Each trial was a test and probably too much of a test for me.”
England 1966 World Cup winner and Liverpool Legend Roger Hunt is a veteran of celebrity golf tournaments.
“This is second time that I am in Cyprus so it’s great to be here. I have played in many charity golf tournaments over the years in countries like Spain and Portugal.
“Unfortunately I haven’t seen the golf course yet because we were meant to go and see it this morning with the rest of the people here but I had a few drinks on the flight coming over here so I didn’t wake up early enough.”
Pictures of David Jones
http://skynewscentre.co.uk/sports/viewpictures.php?gallery=davidjones
