50th Anniversary Dinner
(Hover over the pictures to see a larger version)
Congratulation to all the Organisers
For a wonderful and Memorable Day
Here’s to the Next 50 !
50th Anniversary Meeting
This report was produced by our very hard working Match Secretary-
(Pictures of the Dinner & prize winners are at the bottom of this report)
The 50th anniversary meeting was held at Salisbury and south Wilts Golf Club on 16th August. There were 115 members and guests playing an 18 hole Stableford with 20 prizes for the best individual score and 26 prizes for the four balls made up of Wiltshire Golf Captains. Separate prizes were awarded for the best guest score.
The arrangements for the day went exceptionally well a small committee had been set up earlier in the year to organise the important day under the chairmanship of Mike Bowes the WGC representative for Wrag Barn.
The weather was kind with sunny periods and a gusty wind almost perfect for playing golf. The course had been well prepared and was nicely presented, making the round a good test of golf. Before each four ball started their rounds a group photograph was taken and a copy for each participant was ready for them on their dinner table thanks to David Wakely the photographer and Mrs Sherry who kindly arranged the printing.
The best score of the day was 43points by Ian Armstrong from The Wiltshire playing off a handicap of 8 a truly remarkable achievement. There were only 5 other golfers who scored 36 or more.
The dinner started at 5.30 after each golfer had had a chance to shower and change and enjoy a free drink at the bar. The four course meal itself was excellent with a good choice of meats for the main course. The wine on the tables had been especially chosen by Tom Sherry our current captain of the WGC and was well received by everyone. The special labels on the wine were produced and donated by Alan Kerr.
Tom Sherry welcomed and introduced the ten guests who apart from David Harrison our guest speaker were Presidents or representatives of the counties we regularly play against each year. The winner of the best guests score was David Harrison. Each of the other guests were given a sleeve of golf balls as a memento. The Salisbury and South Wilts Captain Eric Lewis welcomed everyone to his club and hoped they had all enjoyed the day.
A nearest the pin had been arranged for the 8th and 18th holes a donation from each player was presented to Eric to go towards his Captain’s charity.
As there were so many prizes only the first three were presented by Tom. The individual prize won by Ian Armstrong was added to his prize for the best score by a member of the English Golf Captains which was an entry into and an all expensive paid weekend at the EGC annual golf competition in 2013.
The prize winners are detailed separately to this report.
Mike Bowes thanked the Salisbury staff and members who helped to make the day such a success. Tom Sherry paid tribute to the guests whose associations of captains from the nine counties have grown over our 50 years and are treasured as the principal part of our annual golfing programme. He also referred to Bill Burridge from Chippenham who was the founding member of the Wiltshire Golf Captains. Finally proposing a toast to the WGC.
David Harrison replied on behalf of the visitors with a witty and humorous speech much to the delight of the members. Finally John Houghton next year’s President thanked the organising committee for all its hard work in preparing for the day.
Sponsors for the day included:-
MJ Abbott Ltd; Green Thumb; Festival Drinks Ltd;
Patrons of the 50th Anniversary of the WGC:-
County Captains’ Associations of:-
The Golf Professionals of Wiltshire Golf Clubs
The Golf Clubs of Wiltshire
Royal Liverpool, Hoylake; Formby, Merseyside; The Army Aldershot; Royal North Devon; Woodbury Park, Devon; and Frilford Heath Oxfordshire, Golf Clubs
The English Golf Union
Team Pictures
