After watching from the
sidelines for several years, Zara Tindall was finally able to join
her husband Mike on the course at his annual charity golf day last
week. Before showing off their skills at the tournament, the royal couple
couldn’t have looked happier to be together, cuddling up before picking up
their clubs and taking part in everything the day had to offer.
England rugby legend Mike was
hosting the 9th edition of his ISPS Handa Celebrity Golf Classic last Friday at
The Belfry, in Sutton Coldfield, where guests included Zara’s brother Peter
Phillips and his former wife Autumn.
They were joined by stars
including television presenters Denise Van Outen and Natalie Pinkham, former
Westlife singer Brian McFadden and radio host Jenni Falconer, with everyone
present raising money for charity partners The Cure Parkinson’s Trust and The
Matt Hampson Foundation.
Mike said he was pleased to be
able to tee off with his wife of ten years after the former Olympian recently
started learning how to play. “Zara has this year taken up golf with the
Slingsby golf academy, so she is going to be hitting a few balls, but she also
does a great job raising money through selling Mulligans around the course.
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Zara Tindall has taken up golf this year
“My golf is a bit like
the weather – changeable – but I really enjoy it and it’s a great way to spend
time with friends.”
He added: “We are so
lucky with the golf day and all the support we get from people coming back year
after year. We are hugely grateful to everyone for helping us raise so much
money for such important causes.”
Mike, 43, also told us how he
was inspired to raise money for the two causes after his father was diagnosed
with Parkinson’s in 2003. He has also seen first-hand the struggles and
strength of former rugby player Matt Hampson, who suffered a serious injury
while practicing with the England under-21 squad in 2005, leaving him requiring
a ventilator to breathe.
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Zara’s brother Peter watched on
“My dad has Parkinson’s
and I have watched as the condition has progressed, changing so much, and
causing both him and my mum a lot of pain and heartache. I want to do what I
can to help research to find a cure for this awful condition so other families
don’t have to go through what we have.”
He also said how delighted he
was that Philip and Mike’s mother Linda could join him at the golf day.
“Despite my dad’s condition, I am really happy that him and my mum have
managed to make the trip down again this year and take part in the day. It
means a lot to us all and it’s great to be able to share it with them.”
His connection with the Matt
Hampson foundation came about after he previously met the former rugby player.
The charity helps support young people who have been seriously injured while
playing sports and recently opened the Get Busy Living rehab centre.
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Mike Tindall with former sister-in-law Autumn and several friends
“I met Matt years ago and
I was so blown away by his attitude and desire to change the way people thought
about life-changing injuries and I really wanted to support him, the charity
and the amazing work they do. The Get Busy Living centre is awe-inspiring and I
am really happy to be part of something so positive making such a difference to
people whose lives have been changed so profoundly.”
Mike also said how much
he was enjoying hosting the podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with
Alex Payne and James Haskell. “We are really lucky – Alex, James and I are
all really very good friends so going on tour is like hanging out on stage with
your mates. I think that is the way it comes across when people come and see
us, so its lots of fun.”
