Act of faith in golf event (From Warrington Guardian)

Act of faith in golf event

HOWARD Keel's celebrity golf tournament, which is staged every year at Mere, will continue despite his death.

MSB Marketing said the Howard Keel Golf Classic at Mere Golf and Country Club would go ahead next year as planned.

"I can confirm that it most certainly is happening," said MSB Marketing managing director Geoff Baker, who organises the annual event.

Keel, who starred in a string of hit musicals, died on Sunday at his home in California aged 85 after battling with cancer of the colon.

The popular Mere golf tournament, which attracts a host of famous faces from TV, film and sport, was first staged 18 years ago.

But the star was forced to miss this year's event in September because he was too ill.

"He was diagnosed the week before and was not fit enough to fly out," said Mr Baker.

Keel started his career on the stage appearing in Oklahoma and Carousel but decided to become a film actor after the Second World War.

He starred in the film versions of Annie Get Your Gun and Kiss Me Kate but his favourite film was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. At 66 - when most of us are ready for retirement - he re-launched his career as a television actor in Dallas.

He landed the part of Clayton Farlow - the second husband of Miss Ellie Ewing - and stayed with the show until it ended in 1991.

This year's golf classic attracted hundreds of celebrities from Coronation Street, fellow actors and sports stars and was featured in Hello magazine.

Yesterday (Tuesday) a spokesman for Mere Golf and Country Club said many of the staff had met the actor. "He was a great friend to us here and will be sorely missed," she said. Next year's event is due to take place on September 11.