Levy wins in Hero Challenge as Warne downs all in celebrity shoot-out

The experiment to bring more crowds to the golf courses was a roaring success, as the first of its kind inaugural Hero Challenge got a huge endorsement to both the players and the sport with an impressive crowd of over 2,200 turning up in an amphitheatre-like atmosphere under floodlights at the Grove on Tuesday night.

The event was telecasted live ahead of the British Masters, commencing on Thursday.

With the golfers, doing the job of gladiators, and the spectators packing the Grandstand at the specially constructed 156-yard par-3 on the 18th, it was an electric atmosphere as the pro golfers mingled with celebrities and spectators for a unique event. 

The pro golfers included tournament host and World No. 1 Luke Donald and India’s own golfing superstar, Jeev Milkha Singh, who is of the firm opinion that it is ‘fun events’ that will bring greater crowds to the golf courses, even in his home country. Jeev added, “This is a great way to bring more spectators to golf. The quick-fire one-hour format will win us (golf) many more followers. We should have such events back home in India, too.”

Pawan Munjal, Chairman, CEO and Managing Director of Hero MotoCorp, commented, “We are extremely happy to be part of something which the crowds loved and we promise to bring many more followers to the sport. It was a night of great fun and some fine golf, with cricketers like Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen, both fine golfers, adding to the fun.”Levy said, “It was amazing to see the crowd enjoying it. Golf needs something like this and it is a great idea. I really enjoyed it, and of course it is always nice to win.” 

Levy received the £10,000 pound cheque from Munjal and the money went to charity.

In the gap between the quarters and the semi-finals, spinning legend, Warne beat three celebrities, including Pietersen, McFadden and Morgan in the Celebrity one-hole shoot-out. And he received a bottle of French Champagne.