Businesses from across the North East helped to raise more than £7,000 as the annual Sport Newcastle Golf Day took centre stage.

Thirty teams enjoyed glorious weather at a typically welcoming Ponteland Golf Club with joint winners Tier One Capital and Root Cause Consultancy pipping a slew of competitive rivals.

And there was even a memorable hole-in-one as in-form Ian Crawford (pictured above) set the standard — sinking a deadeye tee shot at the second.

Firms from across the region raised the vital funds that will support emerging sports stars, their coaches and clubs to strive for success in the future.

And Mike Booth, Sport Newcastle’s Vice Chair and driving force behind the charity’s annual golf day, said: “We are delighted to have raised more than £7,000 and we are eternally grateful to the businesses and golfers who attended.

“The day was a tremendous success and was played in great spirit at one of the North East's finest golf courses.

“The support we receive from businesses is crucial to our long-standing charity's efforts when it comes to promoting and nurturing young sporting talent in the region.

“We are immensely grateful for the continued support from Tier One and SOS Group — generous sponsors who share our values and enable emerging sports talent to realise its full potential.”

Tier One entered two teams captained by Chief Executive Ian McElroy and Fund Manager Brendan O’Grady.

Ian said: "The Sport Newcastle Golf Day is always a highlight of the year and we all enjoyed a great day's golf.

“The event was well organised, well attended and, at the same time, raised vital funds for grassroots sport.

“As a business deeply rooted in the North East, and with a team of active sports enthusiasts, we are thrilled to support Sport Newcastle.

“I was delighted to have a fantastic round of golf supported by our guest team members — former NUFC footballer Shola Ameobi, Steve Hart from Central Employment and Anthony Guest.

“Running out joint winners with Root Cause Consultancy was the perfect end to a brilliant day.”

Ian also added the ‘nearest to the pin’ accolade on the 15^th on a day when the Root Cause Consultancy team — featuring Kevin Maddison, Oliver Morgan, Pete Hall and Malcolm Thorniley — fully deserved their joint overall win.