Cash boost of almost £500,000 for official charity of the British Masters

The official charity of this year's British Masters receives a cash boost of almost half a million pounds.

The Graham Wylie Foundation is set to benefit from more than £472,500 following the competition at Close House in Northumberland.

The money is a result of its role as the Official Charity of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports.

The tournament, which took place over a four day period, starting on Thursday, has left a lasting legacy in the North East region.

As Paul Dunne wowed the British crowds with a flawless final round of 61 to secure his maiden European Tour title, tournament organisers were busy raising funds through donations and golf- related initiatives during the week, as the European Tour returned to the North East for the first time in 15 years.

Tournament host and Patron of the Foundation Lee Westwood, who has been Close House’s Touring Professional since 2011, threw his support behind the Foundation and founder Graham Wylie at the start of the week when he donated his winnings of £25,000 from the Hero Challenge.

Crowds of more than 68,000 people steamed through the gates over the course of the event.

Funds were raised from ticketing revenue from the Hero Pro-Am on Wednesday, a Gin and Swing evening, golf competitions, and through a number of auctions held during the lead up to the tournament.

The European Tour Foundation will also benefit from the exceptional fundraising efforts at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports, with £60,000 of the funds raised by the Graham Wylie Foundation donated to the Foundation to ensure charitable initiatives and grants will continue to prosper in the communities in which the European Tour visit.

Tournament Director Rory Colville said: