A Didcot teacher has swapped the classroom for the fairway by creating his own Ryder Cup-style golf tournament to raise money for Sobell House Hospice.
Rob Hayden, Head of PE at Aureus School in Didcot, launched the Hayden Cup after his family experienced the care and support provided by the Headington hospice during his mother’s final days.
The annual invitational charity golf tournament, which takes place on the last weekend of July, brings together golfers for a two-day competition while raising funds for a cause close to Mr Hayden’s heart.
Since launching in 2022, the event has visited some of the UK’s leading golf venues, including The Belfry and Celtic Manor. This year’s tournament will take place at the Forest of Arden on 25 and 26 July.
Inspired by the format of the Ryder Cup, the Hayden Cup sees 48 players compete across two teams in Fourball and Singles matches.
Alongside the golf, the weekend includes raffles, challenges and fundraising activities, with the event having already raised more than £10,000 for Sobell House Hospice.
Mr Hayden said the idea came from wanting to continue supporting the hospice after the care his family received.
“Sobell House cared for my mum before she passed away in 2017, and the compassion and support they showed made an enormous difference to my family.”
He previously raised money for the hospice by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018, before deciding to create an annual fundraising event.
“I wanted to create an annual event to continue supporting them. That’s when the Hayden Cup began as a way of giving something back each year, and it has since grown into a real community event.”
The tournament has since developed into an annual gathering bringing together friends, golfers and supporters, while helping raise vital funds for Sobell House.
Mr Hayden added:
“Founded to bring friends together through competitive golf, the Hayden Cup has grown into a much-loved annual event, while raising vital funds for Sobell House Hospice.”
Sobell House provides specialist palliative care and support for patients and families across Oxfordshire, helping people living with life-limiting illnesses and those close to them.
