Swapping Clubs For Trainers In The Great Manchester Run

Christmas Entries Open Soon Sitewide

Professional golfer Jamie Tipper will be pounding the roads instead of the fairways in the Morrisons Great Manchester Run as a thank you to the inspiration behind his career.

Jamie was only a youngster when his late grandfather Fred Garvey, from Hattersley, offered him the chance to go shopping – or to the local driving range.

Now pro at Werneth Low Golf Club in Hyde, Jamie has never looked back since eventually hitting his first golf ball.

He explained: "There was no choice really and after completely missing the ball with my first few attempts I was quickly hooked on the game. I got into golf through my grandad and owe him a lot.

"I've been raising money for Willow Wood Hospice which cared for him before he died four years ago following a brain tumour aged 74."

"Every other sport I tried came fairly easily to me but I saw golf as a challenge and became a junior at the club where I'm now the Head Professional. My godparent Andrew Walton paid for my membership and his energy company Warm Front sponsors me.

The Manchester 10k on Sunday, May 10, is perfect timing for Jamie as he gets into shape for the new golf season, aided by sparring sessions with ex-boxer Ricky Hatton at his gym.   

Jamie, from Godley, has donated more than £8,000 to the hospice from golf days and is running on the charity's behalf. 

"They provided wonderful care and I'm only too pleased to help them out so other families can benefit from their support and services," added 28-year-old Jamie, formerly assistant pro at Stockport and Denton golf clubs.

Sporting talent appears to run in the family as 14-year-old cousin Amelia Garvey is the top ranked player for her age in New Zealand. Brother Christopher played cricket at England youth level and was on the books at Lancashire CCC.

The Morrisons Great Manchester Run is Europe's biggest 10k event with up to 40,000 runners.

To enter go to www.greatrun.org/Manchester