South African Auctions Tiger Woods’ Signed Flag for Health Workers

A passionate South African former golf caddy, Laurence Wells, is auctioning a flag signed by legendary golfer Tiger Woods when he won the British Open… to raise money for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK where Laurence now lives.

It costs only £10 to stand a chance to win the flag, signed by the US golf star when he won The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 2006. You can enter here as many times as you wish – so if you donate £50 – that gives you five chances to win the prize.

Laurence was lucky enough to get the signed flag in 2006 when he caddied for Australian golfer Richard Green at The Open.

“Although we missed the cut, I stayed for the weekend,” Laurence told SAPeople. “Tiger Woods claimed an impressive victory at 18 under par that Sunday, two shots ahead of American Chris DiMarco and five shots ahead of South African Ernie Els who finished in third place.

“I hung around in the locker room (because I was a caddy and I was allowed) and when Tiger finally came in after prize giving and his press conference, he signed the flag for me.”

Laurence says: “He’s really quite a cool guy and has signed quite a few bits of memorabilia for me over the years.”

Laurence grew up playing amateur golf in South Africa with Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

“We played Inter-Provincial golf tournaments together, but after I finished my National Service in July of 1990, I decided to come to Europe and travel for 6 months,” says Laurence.

“In September of 1990 I went to the European Open golf tournament at Sunningdale Golf Club and caught up with a few South African players and caddies I knew,” says Laurence. “And that’s when my caddy career started.”

His first job was with South African pro Hugh Baiocchi, followed by caddying for his good friend Retief Goosen from 1993 to 1996,  and the following year for Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone.

By being a caddy Laurence was able to maintain a good level of golf and finished eighth in a tour school in SA, earning a card to play on the Sunshine Tour for three years… before he ran out of money, lost his card and returned to caddying between 2001 and 2011.

“I stopped caddying because I had a young family and was away from home too much,” says the passionate sports fan.

In 2012, Laurence started working for a friend who owns an Events and Hospitality company in the UK… which suits him perfectly. While bringing his vast experience from the golfing world, and numerous useful contacts… Laurence gets to benefit by attending sports matches for ‘work’… like watching the Springboks when they play England at Twickenham Stadium.

The draw will take place on Friday April 24 at 1pm local time.

Laurence says: “Please support and share.” You can donate here.