CHERRIES are holding a golf day to raise funds for the club's new under-19 side.

The event, which takes place at Ferndown Golf Club on Wednesday, August 7, costs £500 for a team of three and includes a three-course meal.

Played as a Stableford format with the best two scores out of four on each hole to count, each team will include a guest celebrity or Cherries player.

The maximum handicap for men is 24 and for ladies 30, and the event is restricted to 30 teams.

Youth team coach Joe Roach said: "The provision of an under-19 team will help players take that extra step.

"We currently expect our 16 and 17-year-olds to move from the under-17s straight into the reserves which may be too great for some of them at present.

"The new scheme allows players to develop during the additional two-year period and enables us to monitor their progress while recruiting young players who have been released from higher level clubs and integrating them into our team and club culture.

"Ultimately, we are aiming to develop boys who will make the grade at professional level and we believe that creating an under-19 side is a significant step towards achieving this goal for the club."

Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll added: "Joe and I are extremely confident that the structure we are implementing will be able to produce future first-team players and, once again, AFC Bournemouth will be an attractive club for young players to be associated with."

For further information, please telephone Mike Corderoy or Claire Thackeray on 01202 726319.