John Aldridge Helps Raise a Large Amount for Charity
The 2024 John Aldridge Charity Golf Classic, held on 13 and 14 September, was another huge success. It attracted golfers from the UK, Ireland and the Algarve, all uniting to raise crucial funds for local causes.
Led by ex-Liverpool FC striker John Aldridge, the festivities kicked off on Thursday, 14 September. All teams gathered at the Estrela da Luz pool bar for drinks, setting the tone for the golf event to follow.
Over the course of two days, 24 teams competed for the coveted title. Friday saw the first round at Espiche Golf Course, a Texas Scramble Stableford format. The sublime weather mirrored the sizzling competition, with the winning team on Day 1 being The Fantastic Four. James Mitton, Neil Mitton, Steve Gene and Michael Gane claimed victory with an impressive 56 points, narrowly beating Denis O´Brien, Karl Browning, Derek McCarty and Paul O Keefe into second place after a countback.
As always, the team at Espiche Golf delivered a top-notch experience. Every golfer thoroughly enjoyed the day from the pristine course to the seamless organisation. A huge thank you goes to Paul, Peter, Pauline and the entire Espiche Golf staff for ensuring another stellar outing.
On Saturday, the competition moved to Boavista Golf Resort, where a gusty wind added an extra layer of challenge to the players. The 96 golfers tackled a 4-ball better ball format, with the two best scores counting towards each team’s total. Despite the trickier conditions, scores remained impressively high, with PMB Construction emerging as the champions. Pat McBride, Brian O´Meara, Ger Lawler and Tadgh McBride came home with a final tally of 85 points.
A special mention goes to the Boavista Golf Resort team for their warm hospitality and seamless execution. Again, the golf course was in superb condition, providing a great challenge for the field of golfers. Thanks to Philip Pope for his continued support in making this event such a memorable experience.
Following the competition, UK comedian Willie Miller took centre stage at the prize presentation, delighting the crowd with his signature humour. He then hosted the charity auction, where his witty banter encouraged generous bidding, raising an impressive total of €7,850. Auction highlights included signed Liverpool and Manchester United football shirts, rounds of golf, and autographed boxing gloves from Michael Watson, who also attended the event. For the second year in a row, thanks to Liam Lynch from St. Patrick’s Distillery, a 200-litre barrel of Irish whiskey headlined the auction.
The total amount raised during the event reached an incredible €21,000, all of which will go to local causes close to John’s heart in the Lagos and Praia da Luz areas. More details will be shared in the upcoming November edition.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to the event’s success. From organisers and staff to participants and supporters, your involvement made the 2024 John Aldridge Charity Golf Classic an unforgettable event.
Finally, the biggest thank you goes to John Aldridge himself. His dedication to supporting the local community that has embraced him and his family over the past 20+ years continues to inspire all involved.
Mark your calendars – next year’s event is already set for 12 and 13 September and we can’t wait!
Find all the photos here.
