Robinswood Golf Club in Thailand played host to the 2026 Icons of Football event last week, which saw Team England secure a dramatic 20–19 victory over Team World.
Staged across two days, the match went down to the wire as former Manchester United and England left-winger Lee Sharpe holed the decisive putt on the final green to defeat Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko and secure victory for Team England by a single point.
Sharpe described the moment as “probably the best moment of my life” as Team England retained the Icons Series Trophy. And while the competitive finale provided great theatre, the event also marked a successful return to Robinswood Golf Club with coverage broadcast around the world.
Captained by 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett, Team England – featuring Jimmy Bullard, Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Joe Hart, Paul Ince, Phil Jagielka, Jermain Jenas, Phil Jones, Sharpe, Teddy Sheringham, John Terry and Theo Walcott – edged ahead by a single point after the opening day.
Team World, led by 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Björn and comprising Gareth Bale, Gabriel Batistuta, Nigel De Jong, Ryan Giggs, David Ginola, Ruud Gullit, Henrik Larsson, Aaron Ramsey, John Arne Riise, Andriy Shevchenko, Dwight Yorke and Gianfranco Zola, battled back to take the contest down to the closing holes.
Among the highlights was the headline clash between Bullard and Bale in the anchor match, with Bale coming from four down to earn a vital half-point and underlining the competitive intensity that defined the week.
“It was a fantastic match and that’s what makes this event so special,” said Bale. “We’ve all finished the competitiveness of professional football, fighting for trophies and places in the team, so to have a big event delivered so well gives us the chance to compete again and brings back old memories. It’s nice to have those feelings again.”
For Robinswood Golf Club, the tournament provided a global platform to showcase its 18-hole championship course and facilities, including the Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy Thailand. The Icons also visited KIS International School, located within Reignwood Park, engaging with students and reinforcing the development’s community ethos.
Seehachet Saifon, general manager of Robinswood Golf Club, said: “This was a special event for Robinswood Golf Club. Hosting the Reignwood Icons of Football allowed us to demonstrate not only the quality of our championship course, but also our ability to deliver a global broadcast event of this scale. The condition of the course, the infrastructure and the positive feedback from players and captains helps to position Robinswood among the leading golf destinations in Asia, combining championship golf, residential living, sport, education and lifestyle in one community.”