From pot holes to golf holes

Skoda Motorsport’s co-driver, Nicky Grist, will be swapping his crash helmet for golf clubs soon after this year’s Wales Rally GB (September 15-18th) as he hosts the annual Nicky Grist Golf Classic which Skoda UK is proudly supporting.

The event, now in its fifth year, will be held at Cotterell Park Golf Club, near Cardiff on Monday 19th September and end with a Gala dinner and top entertainment at the MacDonald Holland House Hotel.

As part of the Golf Classic, Skoda UK will sponsor the 8th hole on the course and offer a Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 to any lucky golfer who manages to score a hole in one at the hole. According to Cathie Bell, Head of Press and PR for Skoda UK, "we are proud to be sponsoring Nicky’s Golf Classic and hope that the event raises lots of money for a very worthy cause."

Colin McRae, who will compete, with Nicky for the Skoda Motorsport team at this year’s Wales Rally GB, will play at the Golf Classic along with many other celebrity players including Welsh International Football Manager, John Toshack and rugby legend, Gareth Edwards.

This year’s celebrity golf classic holds particular importance to Nicky as all proceeds from the Gala Dinner will go to The Stroke Association. The charity has come to have real meaning following the loss of this brother in law last Christmas who died from a stroke at the age of 36.

Nicky Grist comments: "During all my years in rallying I’ve always thought that we’re quite selfish in motorsport and don’t do enough to help charities so I decided to put a charity event together."

The big day starts on Monday morning at Cotterell Park Golf Club, in St Nicholas, where participants will play 27 holes on the Macintosh Course followed by lunch and then another 18 holes in the afternoon. During the day there will be a series of competitions, such as the longest drive and the nearest pin on a par three.

Hopes are running high for Nicky and Colin who are currently preparing for Wales Rally GB where they will compete in the Fabia WRC car for the Skoda Motorsport team.