Picture by JAMES CHEADLE
FACES frontman Sir Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood helped raise £278,000 for the Prostate Project and the Euorpean Tour Foundation during the 2019 BMW PGA Championship Gala Dinner at the weekend.
The money was raised from table sales and auction prizes at the star-studded evening, as members of The Faces were reunited on stage at Wentworth ahead of this week’s BMW PGA Championship.
Sir Rod joined Wood, and The Who drummer Kenney Jones as they performed a fabulous 90-minute set in at the famous Surrey venue alongside Jim Cregan, delighting 400 guests with a catalogue of classics including You’re in My Heart, Stay With Me and the 1972 No. 1 hit Maggie May.
Jones, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013, was overwhelmed by the money raised for the Prostate Project which continues its work in raising awareness and improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Jones, an ambassador for the Prostate Project, said: “The 2019 BWM PGA Championship Gala Dinner was an incredible evening and I want to thank everyone for their generosity and support for such a worthy cause,” said
“It was wonderful to have my good friends Rod, Ronnie and Jim take the stage at Wentworth in what was another amazing opportunity to raise funds for a charity very dear to my heart in the Prostate Project.
“I simply cannot thank them enough.
“The Prostate Project helped me immensely, and of course many others. Having been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013, I know first-hand the support this charity offers.
“And I am delighted we could showcase the fantastic work of this organisation.”\
Nick Rose, head of the European Tour Foundation – the tour’s charitable arm – said: “On behalf of the European Tour Foundation and the Prostate Project, I would like to thank everyone involved in the BMW PGA Championship Gala Dinner.
“A huge amount of effort went in to bring this event together and the money raised will make a massive difference to both charities.”
Appearing on the famous West Course on Wentworth’s Burma Road, when play gets under way on Thursday will be be World No. 2 Rory McIlroy.
The 2019 Fedex Cup winner will be one of 10 players from last year’s triumphant European Ryder Cup team in attendance, alongside Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, defending champion Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson – as well as their captain Thomas Bjørn.
American stars Tony Finau, Billy Horschel, Andrew Putnam and Patrick Reed will also make the journey across the Atlantic, taking advantage of the tournament’s change of date from May to September.
Fans can also buy tickets to see a top class line-up of entertainment on the Slingsby Show Stage in the BMW Championship village, with Rudimental headlining on Saturday night (September 21) and Anne-Marie bringing the curtain down on Sunday.
Tickets to see a world-class field battle it out for the BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth Club this week are on sale by clicking here.
