TRIBUTE TO LEN GOODMAN WILL BE PAID AT HIS FAVOURITE SPORTS EVENT

LEN GOODMAN will be remembered in a special tribute at his favourite golf tournament later this Summer.

The Strictly Come Dancing legend, who died in April, always told how he felt happiest when playing at the British Par 3 Championship – where celebs compete alongside professionals.

With his infectious smile, Len was often found laying out markers that stated, ‘it’s a 10 from Len!’.

Now it’s emerged a special tribute will be paid to Len at the event.

His friend Rick Cressman, the owner of Nailcote Hall, where the tournament will be held in August, said: “Not only was Len a true gentleman, but he was also a people’s person.

“Len was a good friend of everyone here at Nailcote Hall and a keen player of the tournament. A good player as well. He was the heart and soul every year as he was keen to mingle with spectators on and off the golf course.

When he was around you, you had no choice but to smile and feel happy and fun because that’s the way he made you feel.”

Details of the tribute will be announced closer to the event which will celebrate its 90th birthday by welcoming the return of crowds for the first time since the pandemic.

Among the celebrities taking part will be Eastenders actor Danny Walters, Strictly Come Dancing great, James Jordan, Riley Jones, the star of ITV drama Vera. They will be joining darts legend Keith Deller, athletics icon Kriss Akabusi MBE and the renowned BBC broadcaster John Iverdale as well as former Leicester City strikers Paul Dickov and Brian Deane as well as England international, Dean Ashton.

Spectators will be able to see a host of tour professionals from past and present with the likes of Aaron Rai, Tommy Fleetwood, Peter Baker, and Ian Woosnam OBE gracing the Unique Par-3 course as well as celebrities from the world of screen, stage and sport, at the venue’s renowned 1,048-yard Cromwell Course.

Entry to the event is FREE – and it will be the first time since the pandemic that spectators will be permitted at the Midlands venue – which will be hosting the Championship for the 25th year in a row.

This year’s event will once again be hosted by dual major champion and Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin CBE, who will be joined by a long list of sporting greats, including Matthew Hoggard MBE, Derek Redmond, Rory Underwood MBE and former Bayern Munich and Celtic striker, Alan McInally.

Welcoming the return of spectators, Tony said: “Every year I look forward to my return to Nailcote and the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship. It truly is one of my favourite events and it is always great to see the mixture of amateur, professional and celebrity players getting involved during the week.

“Each year the event gets bigger and better, and this year will be extra special because we are celebrating 90 years of the tournament as well as welcoming crowds back. The event simply hasn’t been the same without spectators, and having people back to witness and play a part in this special event will be wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.”

Last year’s tournament was won by three-time DP World Tour winner Phillip Price who came out on top as a pro and secured the legendary title and the €50,000 prize money awarded for first place, after a dramatic two-hole play-off with Tom Reid. They both ended with a score of 101 points and 7 under par, before the play-off.

This year’s prize fund will again be €150,000 with €50,000 going to the winner with the other €100,000 being split with the 59 other placed players.

Around 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the event over the four days, and free tickets are already available at britishpar3.com. If you can’t make the event, then Highlights of the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship will be broadcasted on Sky Sports.