Former Yorkshire and England England pace bowlers quickies Darren Gough and Steve Harmison admitted they were bowled over by the skill and tenacity of three disabled players in a special golfing shootout at De Vere Mottram Hall, Cheshire.

Gough teamed up with ex-Ryder Cup captain Mark James, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, and former soldier Paul Swain, who lost an arm in the service of his country, as they took on two other teams in the contest designed to highlight the good work of PGA Seniors' Championship sponsors ISPS.

But it was fellow Ashes hero Harmison who emerged triumphant in the three-hole alternate challenge, playing alongside reigning PGA Seniors champion Paul Wesselingh and Matt Mahoney.

The trio were one under for holes six, seven and 18 at Mottram Hall, with Gough’s team one over, as was the trio of new Doncaster Rovers manager Paul Dickov, former Senior Tour No Peter Fowler and disabled golfer John Riordan.

Gough, who played for Bowling Old Lane in the Bradford League and smashed his opening tee shot 350 yards on the par-four sixth, was full of admiration for all three disabled players, especially Swain, with all the celebrities having a go at trying to hit the ball with one arm – with varying degrees of success.

“They were all amazing, especially the guy with one arm. I was fascinated because we all had a go at it and I hit mine three yards,” said Gough.

“It is amazing how he has still got the desire to hit it and play. He hit a drive 250 yards, which was unbelievable.”

The winner, Mahoney had qualified with Swain and Riordan after topping a Devere Blind and Disabled Tournament at Mottram Hall on Monday.

And for Newcastle-based Mahoney, who plays off 22 at Whickham Golf Club, the experience illustrated the broad appeal of golf – for all ages and abilities.

“It was a fantastic experience, it’s not every day you get to play on such a course in such great condition, and then with last year’s winner and an England cricketer, so it was a great experience.

“Golf is truly unique in that sense, I can’t think of any other sport where you can compete against someone with one arm, a seasoned professional golfer and you’re all playing evenly.

“Events like this that highlight the sport, help break down the sport and show it is not exclusive and hopefully it can become inclusive.

“It is definitely worth getting some coaching, especially for a disabled golfer, to help maximise the potential they have got.”

Harmison added: “It is brilliant whenever you see people less fortunate come out and play with passion and skill. To see them play so well is an inspiration.”

Gough, meanwhile, is desperate to get his 12 handicap down to single figures.

However work commitments, including his popular drive-time show on Talksport radio, have restricted his time on the course.

“This is only my fifth round since November, I’m off 12 (11.7) so it is not easy sticking to that because with my job I have to work every afternoon so I don’t really get chance to play.

“I’m trying to play a bit more and get into single figures but when you don’t play it’s really hard.

“The driving, my natural hand-eye co-ordination and putting is good but where I struggle with not playing is the chips from 30 yards. They are the ones I’m not so confident with.”

The pair were playing in a three-hole challenge as part of the build up to the £260,000 tournament, which gets underway tomorrow.

ISPS actively promotes disabled and blind golf, and as part of its sponsorship of the European Senior Tour event, last year launched an academy programme to equip PGA professionals with the skills to coach disabled golfers.