– Golf, Gala, and Charity Auction –
2006 News Snippet From Our Archives:
Damian and his Team Europe mates retained their title with a resounding victory today at the Northern Rock All Star Cup golf tournament and apparently Damian did the Funky Chicken on one of the greens! He also famously wore a traditional British police custodian helmet (bobby hat) as a comedic prank during the tournament. Players frequently wore costume pieces, joked with the crowd, and mugged for the cameras. It was antics all around.
The format was a Ryder Cup-style celebrity golf event pitting Team Europe against Team USA over a three-day tournament. Team Europe included Damian, Bruce Forsyth, Chris Evans, Jodie Kidd, and Ruud Gullit. Team USA included stars like Alice Cooper and Meat Loaf.
Other attendees included Colin Montgomerie, Jane Seymour, William Baldwin, Richard Burgi, James Nesbitt, Ross Kemp, Ronan Keating, Bradley Walsh and more. And of course Helen McCrory was at the tournament supporting her guy.
The celebrity golf tournament raised funds for various general charitable causes and individual charities chosen by the participating contestants.
2026 News Update:
by Elizabeth Birt | South Wales Argus | August 27, 2026
Twenty years ago, Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort became a star-studded haven as it hosted the Northern Rock All Star Cup, attracting thousands of celebrity spotters.
The event, which the South Wales Argus reported on August 28, 2006, featured an impressive lineup, including Hollywood actor William Baldwin, model Jodie Kidd, DJ Chris Evans, and rock star Meat Loaf, reminiscent of a red carpet premiere.
European captain Colin Montgomerie found the celebrity etiquette more challenging than the golfing itself, joking, “I don’t know what to call him – Meat or Mr. Loaf.”
British-born actress Jane Seymour, now a naturalised US citizen, represented the USA and declared: “Right now I’m American as apple pie, and I will be as American as apple pie right up until we win.”
However, Europe finished the first day comfortably ahead, scoring 55.5 points to the Americans’ 34.5, thanks in part to a strong performance by comedy legend Bruce Forsyth.
Stars like former Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit and Kidd contributed significantly, amassing 13 points against Seymour and Desperate Housewives actor Richard Burgi, who managed only five points.
The tournament, hosted by Ant and Dec, was also broadcast on ITV1.
Jane Turner, of New Inn, Pontypool, was there with husband Barry and friend Emrys Smith of Goytre.
She said: “I’m a golf fan anyway and this seemed so much fun on the telly we decided to come.”
Read the rest of the original article at South Wales Argus