Golfers clubbed together to raise money for charity as they battled it out from tee to green. 

About 20 players went head to head in the very first Rushden Open, at Rushden Golf Club, organised by lorry driver Craig Dilley to raise money for a charity called Cardiac Risk in the Young, or CRY. 

Figures show eight apparently fit and healthy young people die in the UK every week from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Each of the golfers paid £20 for the privilege of playing, £8 of which will go toward helping the charity fund research and equipment. 

But the day almost got off to a bad start when Mr Dilley’s opening tee shot came within inches of knocking out ET photographer Glyn Dobbs. 

Mr Dilley, 34, of Heatherbreea Gardens, Rushden, said of the charity’s work: “Not enough people know this is happening to young people. 

“We need to make this an annual event so we can raise more money and more awareness.” 

Mr Dilley said the event would not have been possible without Rushden-based golf supplies firm RRP (UK) Ltd, which donated prizes, and Rushden Golf Club, which offered all the golfers discounted green fees.