Coetzee, Storm and Byeong-Hun An prepared for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth with a unique footgolf challenge
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Leading European Tour golfers George Coetzee, Graeme Storm and Byeong-Hun An went head to head in a unique Footgolf challenge at Richings Park Footgolf Course. The trio, who are all ambassadors for global logistics provider GAC, left their clubs in their golf bags and laced up their football boots to take some time away from the golf course and prepare for last week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
There was added spice to the contest given that George Coetzee and Graeme Storm are passionate Liverpool fans, while Byeong-Hun An is an ardent Manchester United fan.
Despite running into trouble with some trees on the first fairway, George Coetzee took an early lead on the first hole with a seven. However, all three golfers got into some serious trouble on the second having to navigate their way through the deep rough after hooking their kick-offs deep into the bushes down the right hand side of the fairway.
It all came down to the short Par 3 final hole, where all three players left themselves with a birdie chance. Ultimately it was Englishman, Graeme Storm who held his nerve and sunk his birdie kick to claim victory leaving George Coetzee to regret his “That’s like the English at the World Cup” comment on the first tee.
Final Contest Scores:
- Graeme Storm +4
- George Coetzee +5
- Byeong-Hun An +6
George Coetzee later won the GAC Keepy-uppy Challenge with a score of 18, beating Graeme who managed 12 and Ben with a score of 6.
Graeme commented on his win: “It was a bad start from me, but I finished really strongly and I’m delighted with the win. I thought it was great fun – it was very demanding and I was in the rough a lot but I could definitely grow to like it. It was very pleasing to beat George and Ben – I haven’t beaten them at golf yet this year, so to beat them at footgolf is a good start.
My love of football started from when I was about 3 years old, so it was great fun to get the chance to do something different like this. I used to be quite a handy left back so it brought back the memories from when I was a boy.”
Commenting on the footgolf contest Coetzee said, “That was Liverpool Champions League Final stuff from Graeme there – a great comeback. It was really good fun, although we’re not that good. I didn’t even know Footgolf was a thing before this, but I’ll definitely be playing it again. I need a re-match next year so I can beat Graeme.”
Former US Amateur Champion Byeong-Hun An commented: “Footgolf was good fun, although I’d say some work is definitely needed if I am to beat Graeme next time. I started loving football in 2002 watching the World Cup in Korea and for the last 10 years Manchester United has been my favourite team so I’m always keen to do anything to do with football, so footgolf today was a great experience for me.”
Sean Bradley, GAC Group Marketing Director commented: ““It’s been a fantastic day with the guys. They are natural athletes but it was good to see them out of their regular comfort zone and enjoying themselves so much, and that 2 of them are left footed! We’re delighted to be working with such a great group of players and we wish them well at Wentworth this week. I am sure we will see Graeme, George, ‘Ben’ and also Chris Wood trying hard to be at the top of the BMW leaderboard on Sunday.”
