Chris is teeing off for Charlie Bear

It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Chris Cole, the Beamish Park Golf Club professional, as he celebrates 25 years at the club, which is honouring him with a black-tie dinner dance.

Cole played as a junior at Hartlepool Golf Club where his father was professional for 40 years. “I played golf all the time,” he said. “I turned pro at 17 and worked as assistant to my father. Six years later, I was appointed head professional at Beamish Park and was one of the youngest head pros in the country.
“I’ve been here ever since and watched the club grow. The setting is magnificent with great facilities, excellent practice areas and a great membership.”

The future wasn’t looking so bright a few months ago, however. “As a lot of golfers know, I was diagnosed with cancer,” said Cole. “I have been having regular treatment at the Freeman Hospital since. I’ve had a hell of a battle but things are going quite well at the moment. The members have been great and they’ve all rallied round.”

Cole has not been able to play golf during his treatment, although he did have one round using a buggy last year in the Linden Hall Charlie Bear Charity Day. He has now become involved with the Charlie Bear cancer charity on behalf of the Freeman Hospital and is now garnering support for Linden’s Charlie Bear Golf Day.
He said: “We are making it into a bigger event and hoping to raise £12,000 on the day. It’s such a good cause; the Freeman Hospital is used by patients from the whole of the North of England.”

For further information on the Charlie Bear Appeal and events, see www.charliebearappeal.org