THE Ian Walsh Golf Day is currently in full swing at St Davids– with 60 players teeing off in a special ‘Texas scramble’ tournament from 12pm today.

The event has been organised in order to raise funds for the St Davids boathouse appeal, as the local RNLI seeks to raise the £150,000 required to build a new lifeboat station at St Justinian.

Earlier this year football pundit Walsh, who won 17 caps for Wales and also represented both Swansea and Cardiff City in a distinguished career, accepted an invitation to front the appeal alongside former Wales and British Lions rugby player, Gerald Davies.

“The first question I asked myself is what I could add locally to this appeal,” Walsh, who represented Solva FC as a youngster and attended St Davids Secondary School, told the Western Telegraph.

“Being a keen golfer, and having good contacts in sport, I decided to arrange a golf day and the support I’ve received has been amazing.”

Star attractions in the field include another famous Welsh footballer in John Hartson, who won 51 caps for his country and scored 14 goals, and former rugby player and now coach Mark Ring, who won 32 caps for Wales.

And after being able to enjoy bacon rolls and tea and coffee in a marquee before starting their rounds – the golfers, in teams of four, teed off at midday knowing there was plenty of prizes to play for.

Indeed, anyone who manages a hole-in-one on the par three 13th will secure themselves a car, and there are bonus prizes available for those who land their tee shot on the green.

“The 13th hole is significant to me as behind the green there is a plaque dedicated to my late brother, Kevin, who was a member here.” explained Walsh.

Tonight, 180 guests will attend Crug Glas County House for a special dinner and dance evening that will include a drinks reception, speeches, presentations and a high quality auction.

Again, all profits from the evening will go towards the RNLI appeal.

And Davies, who won 72 caps for Wales and scored 18 tries, and made five test appearances for the British Lions before becoming their team manager for their 2009 tour of South Africa – spoke of his admiration for the local RNLI.

“It’s such an important and integral part of life in St Davids,” said the 70-year-old, who spends large parts of the year in the city after first visiting the area with his wife, Sue, 20 years ago.

“The RNLI are superb in what they do – they don’t enjoy big grants but raise nearly all of their money voluntarily.

“Personally, I like to think I’m part of the community now and I’m happy to help anything that contributes positively to society – and the RNLI certainly does that.”

But despite intending to be present throughout the day, Davies joked he would not be touching a set of clubs.

“Unfortunately this is not my game,” he laughed.

But despite golf being the theme of the day, 56-year-old Walsh found time to speak of his excitement at Wales being on the brink of qualification for Euro 2016.

“It’s amazing and I’m buzzing about it.

“Qualification is in our hands now. The likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Allen, Ashley Williams, and Aaron Ramsey are all world class but what’s great is the less celebrated players have also lifted themselves.

“This is why we are getting full houses again and the pride and passion amongst the Welsh public is back in abundance.”