Shear pleasure – as Alan prepares to tee off at the Masters

The event – one of the sport’s most prestigious majors – will be held at Close House, from 28 September to 1 October where it will be hosted by former world number one, Lee Westwood.

And Alan will help get the ball rolling when he takes part in the Hero Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday September 27, alongside some of the European Tour’s leading players.

All proceeds from the day will go to the tournament’s official charity, the Graham Wylie Foundation, which was set up by Close House’s owner to inspire and educate children across the North East.

Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goal scorer, is a keen golfer who plays off a handicap of six and teamed up with Westwood in the Pro-Am for the BMW PGA Championship earlier this year.

He said he is excited by the prospect of playing in front of a local crowd – and hopes he is as clinical on the greens as he used to be in the box.

“I am really looking forward to it,” said Shearer. “I have become quite friendly with Lee over the years, so it was an easy decision for me when he asked me to come along and join him for the Pro-Am at Close House.

“It’s obviously raising money for a great cause, too, in Graham’s foundation.

“It is fantastic for Newcastle to have such a big event as the British Masters being staged in the city and I am sure the European Tour players will receive a very warm welcome from everyone here.

“Close House is a beautiful course, one that I am very familiar with. I just hope I can put in a good performance in front of the Geordie fans.

“I know I’d be more comfortable having to take a penalty in front of them rather than having to hole a five-foot putt.”

Tickets for the Hero Pro-Am, which cost £15, are available via www.closehouse.com along with tickets for all four days of the tournament and 25 per cent of all tickets sales made via Close House will go to the Graham Wylie Foundation.

Hospitality packages for The Colt Pavilion are also available for the British Masters supported by Sky Sports. Prices for The Colt Pavilion, which will overlook the 18th hole at Close House, start at £275 + VAT.

For further information or to request a brochure call 01344 840 681 email [email protected].

For further information on the Graham Wylie Foundation visit http://grahamwyliefoundation.org.uk/.