Golf Club Juniors Boosted by Odd Shaped Ball

The Odd Shaped Ball at Peebles Hydro helped raise money for golf, football, netball and rugby

The Odd Shaped Ball at Peebles Hydro helped raise money for golf, football, netball and rugby

The junior sections of four local sports clubs are set to benefit from nearly £6,000 of investment thanks to the success of the ‘Odd Shaped Ball’ fundraising event held in Peebles last month.

Attracting a sell-out crowd packed into Peebles Hydro’s stunning ballroom, the black-tie celebration raised a grand total of £5,908 from ticket sales, a sports auction and raffle, with all proceeds raised going towards new equipment and facility improvements at Peebles Golf, Football, Netball and Rugby clubs’ junior sections.

Staged for the third year, the Odd Shaped Ball has grown from 60 people attending two years ago to this year’s 227 guests, with tickets sold out in just 72 hours. Organised by local golf, football and rugby coaches Ross Duncan and Mark Thomson, the event was supported by a number of local companies including the hosts Peebles Hydro, Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Peebles Physiotherapy, First XV Rugby, Headcases Hair Studio, Rogerson’s and WTS Forsyth’s as well as Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh Rugby, Aberdeen Asset Management and SSE Scottish Hydro.

Guests lined up on the red carpet at the Odd Shaped Ball

Guests lined up on the red carpet at the Odd Shaped Ball

Guests were treated to some fantastic live music by The Apollos, who had the dancefloor filled throughout the evening, while the auction sparked some lively bidding, with prizes such as a 4-ball at Castle Stuart Golf Links, tickets to the SSE Hydro, a signed Scotland Rugby World Cup Ball and a Stephen Gallacher signed pin flag from the US Masters fetching significant bids for the fundraising.

Organiser Ross Duncan: “We’re very grateful to everyone who bought a table at the Odd Shaped Ball and gave us fantastic support on the night. The idea of the event a few years ago was to have a big night out for parents of the kids who play sport in Peebles and raise a few pounds to help the volunteer coaches at the clubs.

“We sold out last year and decided to move to a bigger venue at the Hydro, but we didn’t think it would become so popular.  Everyone who attended was really up for it and we’re delighted to have raised so much money for sport in the local community, which will hopefully make a difference at the clubs.”

Last year’s funds went towards the improvement of the junior practice facilities at Peebles Golf Club, while Peebles Piranhas benefited from new training equipment, with new goals being purchased for Peebles Football Club’s juniors teams. Peebles Netball Club, winners of the national junior club of the year award, were included for the first time this year.

“More than £10,000 has been raised over the past years through the Ball so we’re planning to keep it going and make it even bigger in 2016!”, added Duncan.

> Click here to view the Odd Shaped Ball Photo Gallery