Sporting stars from around the county turned out in their numbers at Upchurch River FootGolf to support Kent Sports Trust’s first fundraising event.
A sunny Sunday morning greeted those taking part in the K Sports sponsored 18-hole challenge at Upchurch River Valley Golf Club with Paralympic gold medal winner Charlotte Evans MBE the star of the show.
Taking part in her first event to support Kent Sports Trust, for which she is an ambassador, the 25-year-old from Chatham participated in this relatively new hybrid sport for the first time alongside skiing sister Emily.
Charlotte Evans shot to fame in 2014 by winning gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi alongside blind skier Kelly Gallagher. The pair claimed Team GB’s first-ever Winter Paralympics gold, and Evans is now keen to give something back to the local community that has served her so well.
“It’s great to get kids involved in sport and I’m passionate about this area and getting local people active,” Evans said. “I think it’s important we all support Kent Sports Trust to find things for everyone to do.”
“There’s a sport for everyone and I’m a firm believer you should try anything once. I’d never played footgolf before today, but I absolutely loved it.
“Not only have we all had fun, but we’ve also raised money for Kent Sports Trust and the KST Foundation.”
Gillingham F.C. midfielder Jake Hessenthaler also put in an appearance as part of the K Sports footgolf team alongside former Gills star Nicky Southall.
Hessenthaler, too, was keen to bestow the virtues of this exciting new sport that combines football and golf in an accessible way.
“Footgolf is enjoyable, laidback, and is a very sociable sport,” Hessenthaler noted. “We’ve had a great time today. It’s nice to get out and play something like this, helping out a great local charity in the process.”
“I did well, but am sure I could do better with practice. It was good to hand the Longest Drive trophy to my teammate and cousin James Hare.”
European #1 footgolfer Karl May went on to win the overall individual prize with a staggering score of -13 (53). The Lordswood schoolteacher was only too happy to turn out for the charity event.
“It’s just like golf, so you have to get it into the hole as soon as possible,” May explained.
“It’s been really nice to have been part of the first event of this kind hosted by Kent Sports Trust and I’m looking forward to all the ones in the future.
“Huge credit to all at Kent Sports Trust for the organisation, the competition, and the hard work they put in to encourage more to play sport.”
Meanwhile, CEO of Kent Sports Trust and KST Foundation Steve Wolfe was keen to thank everyone for taking part in what will be the first of his organisations’ many sporting events across the county over the coming months and years.
“With the increase in obesity and people suffering from health issues, we are just trying to do our bit in the community to encourage people to do something,” Wolfe said.
“As a charity, we are looking to harness local sportspeople’s passion to get more people participating in sport.
“Sport has changed my life. As a team, we’re now looking to see how we can help others.”
To find out more about Kent Sports Trust or the KST Foundation, please call the team on 01634 820780 or visit this this website.