Sean plays the clown.. now down to business
Golf Bognor Golf Club held their annual meeting, attended by well over 100 people.
Board chairman Stanley Riseborough presided over the meeting and special mention was made of the excellent news that over the past few years the club have increased membership by 100-plus.
The club continue to have substantial financial improvement. Outgoing 2018 club captain Rob Holland gave his yearly report, and mentioned the club winning the prestigious Norfolk Trophy held at Littlehampton in September.
But pride of place went to the club being given the honour of staging the 2018 Sussex Amateur Cup.
Players and county officials went out of their way to congratulate Bognor GC on presenting a glorious course and thanked members who acted as marshalls, ball spotters or logistical helpers.
Holland also paid tribute to the tremendous work done on the course over the year by the head greenkeeper and his staff, and thanked the bar and kitchen staff in meeting the huge demand with smiling faces. He welcomed 2019 captain Sean Maginnis and wished him well for the forthcoming year.
Maginnis said it was a true honour for him to become captain and was looking forward to ensuring 2019 was remembered as a fun year. He introduced as his vice captain for the year Andrew Field.
The meeting finished with the club manager giving a talk about the history of the club, which was 125-years-old in 2017.
The captain’s drive-in took place the following morning. Maginnis was at the club at 7.30am to meet and greet 160 members who all had a hearty breakfast, prior to witnessing the traditional drive-in.
Maginnis owns a security company and was paraded on to the first tee, dressed like Billy the Clown, with chains and handcuffs attached, straddled between two security men.
Maginnis was presented with his captain’s jumper by vice captain Field. He hit his drive 163 yards and collected some cash for his charity.
A fourball better ball Stableford followed the drive-in ceremony with a magnificent 144 entrants. Following the golf all players were treated to a super lunch prior to the presentation of prizes.
Results: Nearest the pin winners were –Rob Holland, Jack Bingham, Gill Twyford and Simon Watts. Ladies Second - Karen Harding & Jackie Flower - 40 points; Ladies Winners - Sophie James & Bridget Samuels - 41 points; Men’s Fourth - Jake Vines & Jeff Clark - 42 points - c/b; Men’s Third - Mick Garrigan & Chris Goy - 43 points; Men’s Second - John Riseborough & Richard Riseborough - 43 points - c/b; Men’s Winners - Stanley Riseborough & Rob Kissell - 44 points.
Maginnis thanked all for a great start to his year. Congratulations went to all the prizewinners on the day and everyone that made the event so much fun. He said he was looking forward to the season ahead, with many great events to support.