Golfers raise £5k for charity
Lansdown’s annual Captain’s Charity Day this year was held in the middle of the heatwave with afternoon temperatures of over 30 degrees.
Club Captain Margaret Ruxton had some misgivings that the extreme conditions would result in a poor turnout, but over 100 members and visitors braved the heat to play in the four-ball team competition.
Dozens of others turned up to take part in a range of other events, some semi-serious and some downright silly, to raise money for Margaret’s chosen charity, The Children’s Hospice South West.
Several teams went as far as turning up to play in fancy dress, surely a heroic gesture under the circumstances! There were gorgeous butterflies to reflect the Children’s Hospice symbol and four Queens of Hearts to honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Fun events included a ‘Beat the Pro’ competition on the par-3 10th hole where head professional James Lee spent the entire day hitting his pitching wedge to the green and challenging members to get closer to the pin, at £5 a go.
There was a marshmallow driving competition, which inevitably came to a sticky end, and a silent auction for a range of fantastic prizes donated by local clubs and businesses.
The team competition was won by Neil Pirie, Mike Gray, Charlie Taylormadge and Paul Garland with an impressive 94 points, followed one point behind by Graham Pristo, Dave Whyte, Ian Carter and Eddie Watson with 93 points (on countback).
The 3rd team prize went to John Jotcham, Dave Pike, Paul Maidment and Dave Pearce who also had 93 points. Nearest the Crown on the 5th was John Portnall, Nearest the Fizz on the 8th was Jon Scourfield and Nearest the Pin in Two on the par-four 4th hole was John Scammel.
The total raised on the day from donations, entry fees and much appreciated sponsorship from Lansdown Mazda was over £5,000, an amazing achievement, and it is fair to say everyone had great fun too.
Other events included the Withers Bowl, a mixed foursomes competition played by the seniors and ladies.
The winners were Sue Fereday and Dave Pearce with 50 points, with runners-up Clare Mornement and Robin Pope scoring 43 points on countback from Cathy Gilson and David Fereday in 3rd place.