Million Dollar Hole In One (MDHIO) and Tee It Up have joined forces to deliver the perfect night out for golfers – the chance to sink an ice-cold beer and tuck into a burger before walking away with a whopping $1million.

MDHIO is the hugely popular par-three hole-in-one challenge that is run throughout the year at its 40 associated courses across Europe, with competitors who bag an ace going through to a thrilling $1m shootout.

And following on from its successful partnership with American Golf in September, when more than 5,000 competitors took advantage of a similar deal to try to qualify for a separate life-changing jackpot at the world-renowned Belfry, MDHIO is set to expand its growing operation even further thanks to its tie-up with Tee It Up.

Tee It Up, based in the heart of Cardiff Bay and co-owned by Gocompare.com founder Lee Griffin and PGA golf professional Rob Johnson, is the first dedicated indoor golf simulation centre in Wales with access to 45 world-famous courses.

So, players don't even have to worry about the temperamental Welsh weather as the state-of-the-art golf centre, which boasts three hi-tech simulators, live sport on the giant screens, fully-licensed bar serving food all day and top-of-the-range equipment, is the perfect venue to shoot for the huge jackpot.

Million Dollar Hole In One director Martin Tyrrell said: “MDHIO has been hugely popular in mainland Europe with thousands taking part since we started operations in 2000. And we saw a few months ago, through our partnership with American Golf that there is a huge appetite to play the game here in the UK.

“MDHIO and Tee It Up is the perfect partnership as we can offer golfers of all abilities an incredible experience in a great setting. The MDHIO game can be played all-year round in a relaxed and fun environment with the added bonus of being able to enjoy a drink and a burger.

“Whether you are playing with large or small groups of friends, family, or on your own, it is great entertainment. Three shots costs just £10 and anyone who lands a hole-in-one qualifies for the final later this year where they shoot for the $1m.

“We are also planning to bring in regular monthly and quarterly prizes for nearest the pin and we hope to take it to other venues around the country in the near future.”

MDHIO, which has been running since 1990 in USA and since 2000 in Europe, has steadily grown in popularity over the years and more than 50,000 people each year try their luck at the various courses across Portugal, mainland Spain, Mallorca and the UK.

The annual MDHIO final will be held alternate years in USA and other top European venues with the 2018 showdown set to be hosted in the glamorous setting of Las Vegas.

This year's final was held at the stunning mountain setting of the Golf & Spa Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel, Austria and was attended by former England and Newcastle strike ace Alan Shearer, who is an ambassador for MDHIO's sister company Million Dollar Club.

For More information visit: https://www.americangolf.co.uk/services/about-us.html

More than 800 staff from across 10 schools, five children’s centres and one teaching school, joined British Paralympian, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, TV presenter Ashley John-Baptiste and educationalist Professor Mick Waters at a large-scale conference this week.

Teaching and non-teaching staff from the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) took part in the respected multi-academy trust’s inaugural training event at the prestigious Solihull National Conference Centre. They were also able to visit a number of exhibitors to find out more about a range of services available to them.

CEO and national leader of education, Richard Gill, introduced the high profile speakers to an audience comprising staff from primary and secondary schools in Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, having won 11 gold, four silver and a bronze medal during her illustrious 16-year career, before going on to sit in the House of Lords with specialist interest in disability, sport, education, health and welfare.

She gave a memorable talk about overcoming challenges and the value of education and teamwork, before signing complementary copies of her book, ‘Aim High’.

Tanni said: “Education is more important now than it ever was – it gives you choices.

Without the amazing education I had, I would not be able to achieve any of the things I did in my life.

“If you don’t push your boundaries you never know what you might achieve. Never give up, never be afraid to try and always be the very best you can be.”

Ashley John-Baptiste is an inspirational speaker and BBC broadcast journalist who overcame a troubled childhood to study at Cambridge. The 28-year-old spoke passionately about beating tremendous adversity to achieve success. The former X-Factor finalist finished his session by giving an entertaining live performance on stage.

Addressing the audience, he said: “Never ever should we diminish an aspiration of all young people. Educators have such an incredible influence over the lives of so many and we should encourage our young people, believe in them and unlock their potential. It’s the right thing to do.”

Former headteacher and new ATLP Trust Board member, Professor Mick Waters, works with  schools in the West Midlands in raising standards. He works with schools in other parts of the country on innovative approaches to learning and on several other initiatives to push the boundaries for making learning better.

He reminded the team about the importance of providing “joyous and purposeful learning” and the transformative power of education.

He said: “We are trying to make children’s lives better for having met us, making the world in which our children grow up in a better place. Raising aspiration is more than helping children to achieve higher grades; it’s the contribution you make to give them that feeling of worth and inspiration.

“We are part of a really big profession - a noble, global profession and this partnership is built on trust and integrity.”

CEO Richard Gill said: “This conference realised our vision to see all staff together under one roof – what a wonderful start to 2018. It was a real pleasure and a privilege to be part of such a rewarding and uplifting event.

“Tanni, Ashley and Mick gave such motivational talks and we were all inspired and humbled by their incredible stories, which show the possibilities available if you can reach that potential early. They demonstrated the power of teamwork, positive thinking and resilience – all values that we aspire to.

“Our staff can start a new term on such a positive note, taking that group learning back into their schools and ensuring that it improves the lives of the children who remain at the heart of everything we do.”

Plans have been announced for more fun football sessions across Sandwell in 2018 to help people get more active.

This will build on the success of a fun football scheme set up last year in Friar Park, Wednesbury, which is helping local people to get fit and lose weight.

Football Association Just Play schemes will run in each of Sandwell’s six towns and will be set up by the spring.

These will include sessions for lads and dads, men who want to lose weight and women and girls aged 14-plus.

Sandwell Council and the Birmingham FA are working together to identify areas where activities are needed to boost fitness.

Sandwell Council cabinet member Councillor Paul Moore said: "This is a great opportunity for people to have fun and get active.

"I am pleased we will be setting up football sessions in each of our six towns this year.

"People may not have the time, money or interest to be part of affiliated football. With Just Play, they can have fun, improve confidence, boost their fitness and see where it takes them."

Footie for Fitness at Pulse Wednesbury in Friar Park Road started in June last year and has proved very popular with those who want lose weight and get active.

The Friar Park project is supported by community health worker Lauren Cheshire from Sandwell Consortium, weight management development officer Lewis Pountney from Sandwell’s public health team and community activity network development officer Katie Deeley. An Albion Foundation coach runs a football session and boot camp-style fitness and gives advice on weight management.

The idea of Just Play – a national initiative – is to encourage jumpers for goalposts and to play when, wherever and with various formats of the game, including walking football, five-a-side and causal kickabouts.

With 82 days to go until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April, Team England has selected its weightlifters and Para-Powerlifters who will compete for ‘Team and Country’ in Australia.

The squad of 18 athletes will compete for Team England in the weightlifting (clean and jerk and snatch) and Para-Powerlifting categories in the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre from 5 to 10 April.

Nine of the athletes on the team have experienced a Commonwealth Games previously, with five medals between them.

Zoe Smith will be appearing at her third Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. The four-time British record holder became the first ever English woman to win a weightlifting medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010.

Zoe followed this feat with a spectacular gold in Glasgow 2014 and set a new Games record in the process. She said:

Glasgow 2014 bronze medallist and Team England ambassador, Ali Jawad, will be competing in the Para-Powerlifting discipline. He said:

Team England will send a team of around 600 athletes and staff in what will be England’s largest ever team to represent the nation in an overseas sporting event. The team will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events.

Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission for Commonwealth Games England, said:

“I’m really excited to welcome our weightlifting and para-powerlifting athletes to the team today. We have a good mix within the group of 18 with defending Commonwealth Games champions and first timers being selected alongside each other.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them learn and grow from each other in the Games environment on the Gold Coast next April.”

British Weightlifting Chief Executive Officer Ashley Metcalfe said:

“Our squad is a real blend of new and experienced lifters, highlighting the true breadth and depth of talent currently available in England. We are most grateful to both Team England and Sport England for their continued support in providing a great opportunity for all our squad to be well prepared and in great shape for the Games. It is hugely exciting and a great opportunity for all the squad to showcase their talents, all ahead of a home Games in 2022.”

The Overwatch League roared to life last week at the Blizzard Arena Los Angeles, with four days of intense competition between all 12 teams of the world’s first major global city-based professional esports league.

Buoyed by a newly announced two-year deal with Twitch, the Overwatch League’s exclusive worldwide third-party digital broadcast partner, opening day drew an impressive average audience per minute of 408,000, and an average of 280,000 per minute for the week. More than 10 million viewers tuned in over the four-day period via Twitch, MLG, and Chinese streaming partners ZhanQi TV, NetEase CC, and Panda TV—not to mention the countless additional viewers at watch parties worldwide. On Twitch and MLG alone, the peak concurrent online audience of 437,000 hit during the highly anticipated day-one matchup between Dallas Fuel and Seoul Dynasty. In addition, tickets to Blizzard Arena Los Angeles were sold out for the entirety of opening week.

“We’re thrilled by the overwhelming response to the Overwatch League’s opening week of play,” said Pete Vlastelica, president and CEO of Major League Gaming (MLG). “But this is only the beginning. With more than 35 million Overwatch® players, the Overwatch League has the potential to become one of the most-watched leagues—of any kind—in the world.”

“Since we announced Overwatch League at BlizzCon 2016, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the day when the global competitive Overwatch community could come together under one banner,” said Nate Nanzer, Overwatch League commissioner. “Opening week was that coming-out party—for the fans, both in-person at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles and tuned in by the millions all over the world, and for the players, whose love for the game came through crystal clear.”

“We had high expectations for the inaugural broadcast of the Overwatch League on Twitch, given our platform’s passionate fanbase for Overwatch," said Kevin Lin, COO of Twitch. “They really put on an amazing show and fans showed up en masse to support and celebrate Overwatch. Based on the response from the community, Overwatch League is off to a great start and we look forward to watching how the season progresses. This league demonstrates the power and potential of esports, and we’re thrilled to continue expanding our partnership with Blizzard.”

Viewers can tune in to catch all the action on Twitch, www.mlg.com, the MLG app (on iOS and Android), www.overwatchleague.com, and the Overwatch League app, which launched last week for iOS and Android. Blizzard gamers also can get easy access to the Overwatch League via a new Overwatch League tab in the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app.

The first season of the Overwatch League runs until June, with playoffs and finals scheduled for July. For the inaugural season, all regular-season games will take place at the Blizzard Arena Los Angeles, a state-of-the-art live-event venue in Burbank, California, custom-renovated for Blizzard Entertainment esports events. Fans can purchase tickets to attend matches, which will be played each Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A full schedule and information about ticket sales can be found at www.overwatchleague.com.

A pioneer for Black footballers in the UK, alongside the late Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, the trio was nicknamed the ‘Three Degrees’ by their then-West Bromwich Albion manager Ron Atkinson.

Cyrille Regis scored 112 goals in 297 appearances for the Baggies before joining Coventry City for £250,000 in 1984.

Appointed an MBE in 2008, the former England international, who also played for Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, returned to West Brom as a coach before becoming a football agent.

He who won five caps, scored 62 goals in 274 appearances for Coventry and was a crucial part of their FA Cup-winning side in 1987. He retired from football in October 1996.

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to "a great man who helped to set the foundations for others. He will always be remembered."

A gentle man away from football, such was his threat on the field, particularly when subjected to heavy physical attentions from opponents, that opposing managers used to specifically instruct their players not to upset him or annoy him in any way as the results could be devastating. In full flight, Regis was a magnificent sight.

Former Albion player, Jason Roberts, who is Regis’ nephew, once described his uncle as; “twice the player I was, twice better looking, and he always looked half my age.”

I look back at my uncle and have to say that he was lost to the game in terms of coaching, management or administration.”

Laurie Cunningham died in a car crash in Spain in 1989.

Regis, Cunningham and Batson are due to be honoured with a 10ft statue, called ‘The Celebration,’ in West Bromwich. It is set to be unveiled this season, following a delay.

Cyrille was 59