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22 Jul 2024Birmingham golfer Jilly backs new Prostate Cancer UK golf format to help save men’s lives
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by this disease. It felt the right thing to do.”
Having played golf for 33 years, and tournament director of the Second City Golf Tournament for nearly 15 years, Jilly Cosgrove, is a trail blazing golfing fundraiser and business woman flying the flag for Prostate Cancer UK in golf, Birmingham and beyond.
Kenny and Craig, who played together in the Scottish national team for over seven years and remained good friends, have supported each other after being diagnosed with the most common cancer in men. The duo reunited at Beaconsfield Golf Club where they also talked about our Big Golf Race and their predictions for Scotland’s Six Nations match with arch rivals England.
“I knew about prostate cancer, but as a young man, you think you’re untouchable,” said Kenny, 51, who was successfully treated for prostate cancer in 2022.
“My wife, Gabby [Logan], has a podcast, The Midpoint, all about midlife and going through the menopause and I said, ‘Well if you’re going through that, what are men going through?’
“She said, ‘Why don’t you get your hormones tested?’ And I went through that and found out that my PSA was a little high. It was monitored, then a biopsy, then a scan, then six months later I was told I needed to get my prostate taken out.
“One in eight men get prostate cancer, and it’s one in four for Black men. I’d thought the risk was the same for everyone. Hearing that made me realise that the statistics were high.
“When Craig was diagnosed, he came to me because I spoke about my diagnosis quite publicly. He was worried, but had been getting checked regularly. I was positive about it and said it was good he hadn’t waited for symptoms, because that’s a different story.
“I was actually playing golf with Kenny and I said that my PSA was high,” explained Craig, 55. “He was really supportive and all the information he gave me was really important.
“You never think it’s going to happen to you,” he added. “Kenny’s been fantastic. He’s gone through it all.
“My mates look at me and think I’m reasonably fit and healthy but you wouldn’t know. I had no symptoms. The Prostate Cancer UK risk checker is really important – to go through the questions and find out if you’re at risk of prostate cancer. It’s something that everyone should look at and find out where you are. If it says go speak to your GP – go.”
Both big golf fans, Kenny and Craig are backing our Big Golf Race and hope to see even more golfers rounding up their mates and taking on 36 or 72 holes of golf in a day to help save men’s lives.
The Second City golf tournament and Prostate Cancer UK
Kenny said: “When you’re out playing golf, you’re comfortable and can chat and open up to your mates. I didn’t take up golf until I was 14, but I love it. I’ve said that since I recovered from prostate cancer, I want to play more golf and The Big Golf Race is a great challenge.
“Playing that many shots can be numbing for the brain, so having good focus and mindset is important, as well as having a laugh.”
Craig said: “I used to get dropped off by my dad at the golf course and play all day, so I’ve probably already played 72 holes in a day! I hope the challenge raises a lot of money and awareness of prostate cancer.”
And when it comes to the Six Nations, both – unsurprisingly – are backing their home nation ahead of their clash with England this weekend following a narrow victory against Wales in the first round of games and a narrow, controversial loss to France in their second game.
Craig said: “Scotland have beaten England three times out of the last five. They’re strong at the moment, have a lot of continuity and have a good coach, so there’s a good blend there. There’s a real possibility we can win it.”
When I joined the committee there was the opportunity to choose a new charity partner. We just looked around and realised there’s a chance here to get a health message out to men and spread the word about prostate cancer, particularly as two golfers at Little Aston had been recently diagnosed too. Everyone knows someone who has been touched by this disease and it felt the right thing to do
Jilly’s husband has been subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer after hearing a talk by another local golfer, and Prostate Cancer UK supporter, David Hadley-Smith. Jilly has met numerous men and women through golf affected by the disease and is keen to get more golfers talking about prostate cancer and fundraising through golf days to help stop men dying from a disease affecting 1 in 8 men in the UK.
Why have we introduced the Mixed Pairs format?
Females make up between 20-30% of UK golfers, yet when we look at those fundraising for the charity through golf that number is only 10%. Whilst females may not be directly at risk of prostate cancer the men in their lives will.
It’s why Jilly, together with a number of keen Prostate Cancer UK supporters in golf, are championing a new format for the charity - Mixed Pairs Golf- where men and women are paired together to compete in a golfing tournament raising money to save men’s lives. Golf days often have lots of great ways to fundraise including raffles, auctions, nearest the pin and longest drive competitions as well on-course fines for ending up in the bunker or the water!
We’re launching the Mixed Pairs format at an inaugural event - The Prostate Cancer UK mixed pairs invitational - also hosted at Little Aston on Wednesday 24 July 2024 - in the hope golfers across the UK will organise their own mixed pairs event next year raising money to save men’s lives. Golfers wishing to organise their own in 2025 will receive a fundraising pack including Titleist golf balls, Prostate Cancer UK tees, pencils and materials to set up their day.
I think it’s a brilliant idea and one I’m happy to support. Female golfers have an important role to play with this cause; we’ve all got partners, brothers, sons. My husband is living with prostate cancer, I’ve just lost my brother-in-law to the disease. My nephew will be my partner in this Mixed Pairs events. We can all work together to stop prostate cancer tearing families apart so I’d encourage others to take up the mantle and get involved
Find out more about hosting your own Mixed Pairs golfing event for Prostate Cancer UK, get a tailored fundraising pack and specialist support to help your day an amazing success.
