Skip to content

The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Classic has been running for nearly twenty years. It was started by Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie back in 2004 as a fun celebrity golf tournament aimed at generating much needed funds for the Refúgio Aboim Ascensão, a Homeless Children’s Charity based in Faro.

Since Sir Bobby’s death in July 2009, and with Lady Elsie’s blessing, the tournament has continued. Today, it has two objectives.  Firstly, to celebrate Sir Bobby’s life (both on and off the pitch), and secondly, to keep raising funds for the Refúgio. 

Nearly 1.5 million euros have been raised on behalf of Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie, so helping the charity continue their work, helping homeless babies and children who have been abandoned and in some cases, abused. 

As for the tournament itself, celebrities from the world’s of football, sport and entertainment play with corporate teams for the honour of winning Bobby’s tournament, which is played on the Championship Course at Pestana Vila Sol in the Algarve. It’s a fantastic venue, one which has twice hosted the Portuguese Open.

Celebrities have included Louis van Gaal, Gary McAllister, Steve Bruce, Mick McCarthy, Alan Shearer, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Brazil, Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce, plus many more.

In 2016 a statue of Sir Bobby was placed in a beautiful position, overlooking the 18th green at Pestana Vila Sol. This was out of respect for the funds raised for the Refúgio. In June 2018, a room at the club was named after Sir Bobby. It features, a wall dedicated to the Refugio and the wonderful work they do. In June 2019, The Mayor of the Municipality of Loule paid tribute to Sir Bobby, unveiling ‘Rua Sir Bobby Robson’.