00:00Unlike football, tennis or basketball, golf isn't the kind of sport you can just pick
00:04up and play in the park, but at the Charts Hill course in Ashford they're planning a
00:08summer tournament that will break down barriers between the pros and the public.
00:12The Legends Tour will see former major winners and Ryder Cup competitors over the age of
00:1650 alongside amateur golfers for top prizes and qualification for further competitions.
00:21You become a legend or eligible to play on the Legends Tour when you're 50 in professional
00:25golf. So think of all your players that played on the European Tour, DP World Tour, major winners.
00:31So if you play well on the Legends Tour you can make your way into the Seniors Open
00:34Championship. There are three majors in Seniors Golf, the US Open, the US PGA Seniors and the
00:41Seniors British Open. So for sure the players that perform better over the course of the
00:46Legends Tour season make their way into those major championships.
00:49Golf as a sport is often criticised for its accessibility because you have to pay for
00:54private memberships, initial equipment costs or even green fees. And it's hoped that the
01:00Legends Tour is a way to bring more people into the sport since it is a free event.
01:05But what can be done off the fairway to help more people get involved?
01:09I remember sitting in a meeting in Zambia in Lusaka a couple of years ago with the Golf
01:14Federation there and they said why are we going to do an event with 50 year old men coming to
01:18play?
01:18We need to grow the game. The answer was well use our guys to grow the game. That really
01:24inspires that next generation of golfers for the younger generation. But in terms of
01:30amateurs coming to play they'll realise that they don't get intimidated by these guys for the tea
01:34but the sharpness around the greens and the iron play is incredible to watch. You really can learn
01:39and they're very accessible as well. You know any questions these guys will help you out and then
01:45they'll have a pint you in the bar afterwards. It's all good fun. Those competing at the Legends Tour have
01:49played across golf's very best fairways and are a walking trophy cabinet of international victories.
01:55So could Charts Hill become one of the next great golfing grounds? Joining the likes of St Andrews or
02:01Royal County Down? Maybe but first it'll have to see if it's green can handle former legends returning
02:06to tee off. That wasn't a bad three was it? Finn McDermid for KMTV in Ashford.
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