Academy Golf Day 2023 at Foxhills Golf Club & Resort

On Wednesday 19^th April, Foxhills Golf Club & Resort hosted the annual London Irish Academy golf day fundraiser in order to raise money for the future talent at the Club.

This year’s event continued in strong form with all proceeds donated to the development of the London Irish Academy.

Foxhills has a decades-long association with Irish and recently hosted the 2022 PGA Cup, also playing host to numerous Club days down through the years for the benefit of the junior wing of the Club.

The Academy has had another year of strong progression; finishing third in the RFU ACE League before the under-18 side continued their development by winning the Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League title.

Senior Academy involvement in the first team matchday squad has strengthened this term; with representation in consecutive runs to the Premiership Cup final, alongside standout contributions from Chandler Cunningham-South, Michael Dyes and Tarek Haffar in the Gallagher Premiership.

Four Senior Academy Exiles have earned caps for England under-20s in the Under-20 Six Nations, all whilst the Club achieved their first capped senior England players in a decade through Henry Arundell, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Will Joseph.

Before a shotgun start at 10am, guests and sponsors were treated to golf caps kindly donated by Mizuno and a full Irish breakfast to power them through a full day of activity in Chertsey.

Whilst embarking on 18 holes of golf, golfers were kept entertained on their journey with mini tournaments such as ‘nearest to the pin’ and straightest-drive competitions on the Bernard Hunt Course.

All patrons returned from driving, chipping and putting action to a two-course meal complemented by two pints of Guinness free-of-charge.

The evening then concluded with prize-giving announced by PGA professional and current Foxhills Director of Golf, Sean Graham.

30-cap Italian prop Danilo Fischetti, Scotland’s Ben White and England back and Academy graduate, Henry Arundell, rounded off a fine day for the Club and its Academy by participating in a Q&A to give their insight to attendees.

London Irish Rugby Chairman Kieran McCarthy thanked Wednesday’s hosts, Foxhills, and Brendan Reynolds for their help in organising the day.

“Wednesday was a fantastic day and I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Brendan Reynolds in particular for his continued, unstinting support in helping the Club put on the day at this prestigious venue.

“The money raised throughout the day all be funnelled back into the continued growth of our Academy here at London Irish, and as last year has proved, it is a more than worthy cause.”

London Irish would like to thank its sponsors, especially Powerday, and all other attending companies on the day for their continued support of the Club’s Academy.