World’s first golf club supergroup to play at Came Down Golf Club this summer!
For the first time in the golf club’s 127-year history, Came Down is proud to announce the formation of the World’s first Golf Club musical supergroup, who will play live at the golf club on Friday July 21st 2023.
Raj Aid will resoundingly kick start Captain’s Weekend scheduled for Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July this year.
The band have been formed as a result of a funding call from this year’s Captain Raj Lehal in aid of Steps, the Weymouth based young people’s charity and who the club have adopted as their headline charity this year.
The 8 band and golf club members have all got music back catalogues to be proud of and all have been playing live music across local venues for many years.
However the musicians have never played live music together….until now!
Raj Aid rehearsals have been set up in secret locations and the Golf Club is ready to hear live music drawn from a wide range of genres that will appeal to all ages.
Included in the World’s first coming together of the CDGC supergroup
Mike Denham. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, Mike plays the piano and gigs with 3 local bands Sunset Café, Elite Syncopations and Gin Bottle 4. He also duets with guests of the highest calibre during his renowned SpeakEasy Nights. Mike has been a member at Came Down Golf Club for 15 years and is most looking forward to “Hearing the other musicians do their stuff on a lovely summer evening!”
George Stevenson. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, George plays in a duo with Mike Ashley as ‘Bucketlist’ and also does solo gigs. He was lead vocalist / Rythm guitarist in a popular band ‘Pondlife’ and toured Europe twice in 90,s & 2003. Pondlife headlined the Millennium celebrations at Weymouth. George also played a live spot (with different band) on Radio 1 (Gary David Show) back in the early 90’s. George is most looking foraward to “The reaction to the Came Down Golf Club supergroup and raising money for a great cause!”
Alec Armitage. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, Alec plays the bass guitar with the Piddlers and recently enjoyed playing at the Briantspuddle Street party for The King’s Coronation. Alec has been a member at Came Down Golf Club for 6 years and is most looking forward to “Being allowed to play my guitar with ‘real’ professionals and making a shed load of dosh for the Captain’s charity.”
David Constant. David plays the guitar and enjoys playing most genres of music. As well as his upcoming performance with the CDGC supergroup, David is playing in a charity gig in Poole in June. He has been a member at Came Down Golf Club for 15 years and is most looking forward to “The chance to make some music with like-minded people, and raising money for a good cause.”
Brian Hansford. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, Brian plays the lead guitar in both the 11th Hour and Scandals 21! Brian has been a member at Came Down Golf Club for 41 years and is most looking forward to “Playing with other members and the crowd reaction, it should be a great night. “
Mike Ashley. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, Mike plays the guitar with George in the popular local band ‘The Bucketlist’ and also with a couple of other musicians in ‘The Others’. Mike has been a member at Came Down Golf Club for 10 years and is most looking forward to “Raising money for charity through people having a great night out!”
Sharon Gibson. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, Sharon is a bass player (electric and upright) with the Ferals! The Ferals play mostly 60s covers , but are a lot of fun. We are delighted to have Andrew Jacobs, drummer from The Ferals, supporting our CDGC supergroup. Sharon joined Came Down as a beginner after hanging up her football boots and is most looking forward to “Enjoying a fun evening whilst raising money for a great cause”
Dave Lee. Outside of the CDGC supergroup, Lee plays the cajon, which has Spanish Flamenco origins, in a 5/6-piece band Rough Assembly. Rough Assembly play a wide range of covers of songs and tunes from 1970s to 2020s. Lee has been a member at Came Down Golf Club for 25 years and is most looking forward to “Playing with the talented group of CDGC musicians and entertaining the members”
Club President and lead guitarist Brian “May” Hansford explained:
“Raj Aid is all in support of the Captain’s Charity and we will be putting together a set list that they and the club can really enjoy. I am delighted we have been asked and will give it our all.”
In a cry reminiscent of Bob Geldorf’s Wembley plea at Live Aid in 1985 Hansford continued:
“All members need to do is buy the tickets and support the charity!”
Tickets are now on sale from Nick Rodgers and all proceeds will be donated to Steps.
Raj Lehal, Came Down’s Club captain said:
“I am so pleased that these amazing musicians have agreed to give up their time and kick off Captain’s Weekend this year. The funds raised will all go to ensure that local youngsters will have access to some invaluable support and interaction in their personal development and we are proud to be supporting such a worthy cause. This golf club was the birthplace of the Ryder Cup and is now also birthplace of Raj Aid!”
Tickets are £20 each and are to be sold on a “first come first served” basis and will include food and automatic entry into a raffle.
Alternatively, you can contact Nick Rodgers on 01305 813494.
In Aid of STEPS Club for Young People
STEPS provides a range of activities, opportunities, projects, awards and support for young people aged 13-19, many of whom are disadvantaged, excluded or vulnerable. They currently run four evenings a week plus a Saturday Gateway Club for young people with learning disabilities.
STEPS work is educational, developmental and preventative. Whilst much of their work is delivered in groups, they undertake a significant amount of one-to-one work supporting young people with a wide range of issues and problems. These include education, training and employment, relationships, bullying, bereavement, drug and alcohol use, crime and anti-social behaviour, self-harm and suicidal ideation, abuse, sexual health and mental health.
At STEPS, young people have fun and gain confidence, self-esteem and a wide range of social and employable skills. They have a varied and active programme and encourage young people to make positive and healthy choices. They also enable young people to achieve and gain skills and qualifications and over the years this has included the ASDAN Youth Achievement Awards, Sports AQA’s, the Arts Award and Dorset Award.
STEPS Club for Young People is Registered Charity No. 1171496.
We look forward to welcoming STEPS, Came Down members, family and friends for an incredible evening!