Tournament host Danny Willett has selected Prostate Cancer UK as the official charity of the Betfred British Masters, which will take place at The Belfry from May 12-15.
The 2016 Masters Tournament winner is a long-term supporter of Prostate Cancer UK and chose the United Kingdom-based charity after hearing of the inspiring work of fellow Yorkshireman John Brownless, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004. Brownless has raised more than £50,000 for the charity over the last seven years by organising golf days in England and Spain.
Willett now proudly sports the ‘Man of Men’ badge on his golf bag as he shows his support to Brownless and the 400,000 men affected by prostate cancer in the United Kingdom – raising awareness of the disease across the globe.
As title sponsor of the British Masters, Betfred has pledged £1,000 for every birdie and £2,000 for every eagle tournament host Willett makes at The Belfry, with all donations going directly to Prostate Cancer UK.
The tournament’s title sponsor will also donate £50,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for the first hole-in-one by a professional on the 14th hole – the same hole that Sir Nick Faldo famously made an ace at The 1993 Ryder Cup.
“I’m proud to select Prostate Cancer UK as the official charity of the Betfred British Masters,” said Willett. “Raising awareness of this disease is something I felt I had to do after hearing the courageous story of John Brownless, who has raised an enormous amount of money for Prostate Cancer UK over the last seven years.
“This tournament is steeped in history and one of the highlights of the British golfing calendar. I’m delighted as this week’s host to have the opportunity to show John how much we all appreciate the work he has done in raising awareness of the disease, not to mention the amount of money he has raised for Prostate Cancer UK.
“I’d like to thank Betfred for their support and I hope I can make a lot of birdies at The Belfry to raise as much money as possible for such a worthwhile cause and to raise awareness of a disease which will affect one in eight men in the United Kingdom.”
More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the United Kingdom and it disproportionately affects men over 50, black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.
The Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett will return to The Belfry after a 13-year absence, with the Sutton Coldfield venue last hosting the event in 2008. The Belfry is a four-time host venue of The Ryder Cup, including in 1985 when Europe famously defeated the United States for the first time, and hosted the European Tour for the first time in 12 years at the 2020 ISPS Handa UK Championship, won by Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard.
The European Tour would like to join in thanking Betfred for its generous donation to Prostate Cancer UK alongside this year’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett. The European Tour seeks to create a culture of philanthropy alongside its tournaments as part of its overarching CSR programme, Golf for Good, which seeks to support worthy causes directly in the communities where the Tour plays, as well as promoting philanthropy, sustainability, inclusivity and the many health benefits of the game of golf.
To get a ‘Man of Men’ pin badge like Danny Willett and find out about Prostate Cancer UK’s work in golf, including the epic Big Golf Race, visit prostatecanceruk.org/golf.
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The European Tour is ‘Driving Golf Further’ through our guiding principles of being innovative, inclusive and global.
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About Prostate Cancer UK
Prostate Cancer UK has a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging the lives of men and their families.
- Investing in better treatments and tests that could save thousands of lives.
- Working with the NHS to make sure men get access to breakthrough tests and treatments.
- Spreading the word about who is at risk of prostate cancer, especially to those at higher risk.
- Supporting people dealing with prostate cancer and providing health information.
Visit prostatecanceruk.org to find out more
@ProstateUK #MenWeAreWithYou
About prostate cancer
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men – and now the most commonly diagnosed of all cancers in the UK.
- More than 11,500 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year – that’s one man every 45 minutes.
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This raises to 1 in 4 for black men.
- Around 400,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50 and the risk increases with age. But the risk is higher for black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer, so they may wish to speak to their GP from age 45. A 30-second online risk checker is available at prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker
- Prostate cancer often has no symptoms so men shouldn’t wait to see changes before they act.
- Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer may contact Prostate Cancer UK’s Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or online via the Live Chat instant messaging service: prostatecanceruk.org. The Specialist Nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 6pm on Wednesdays.
About Prostate Cancer UK’s work in golf
- Prostate cancer exists in every golf club in the UK. Prostate Cancer UK is to make sure every golf club, society and golfer in the UK understands their risk of prostate cancer and knows how they can get involved in support a cause fighting the most common cancer in men.
- Prostate Cancer UK’s footprint in golf has included work with the European Senior Tour including the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open. That led to high-profile backing from legendary names such as Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam.
- Prostate Cancer UK has also teamed up with the PGA, HowDidiDo, Bunkered, Golf Monthly and a number of YouTube stars to reach golfers at risk of prostate cancer and raise money to fund vital research to save men’s lives.
- The charity has also launched its new Big Golf Race, challenging supporters to play four or two rounds in a day.
To find out more visit prostatecanceruk.org/golf
