Issue 511 – First charity golf day raises over £8,000

ORCHARDLEIGH Golf Club Captains’ Charity Golf Day has raised over £8,000 for two charities.

The golf club captains held their first Charity Golf Day recently to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. 36 teams enjoyed golf and hospitality in the sunshine and raised £8,400 for the two charities.
The main sponsors for the event were Platinum Vauxhall, Old Mill Accountants, Babcock SSMG, H&B Tyres, Ian O’Connor and Fosseway Press who printed the brochure and programme for the day.
David Millard used his expert skills to auction several items including a flight and lunch in Guernsey, donated by Chris Vincent of Orchardleigh House, one year golf membership of Orchardleigh donated by Somerset Golf Ltd, golf bags donated by Ping and Motocaddy, dinner and wine for four donated by the Woolpack Beckington and Somerset 20/20 Cricket tickets donated by Marstons Brewery.
This main auction raised £1,875. A golf trip for four people to Portugal, donated by Shane Cann and Oceanica Holidays, was put into a grand draw and raised over £1,000.
Many other items were included in a silent auction and golf prizes donated by Frome Carpets, Frome Flyer, The Vine Tree, Kayval photography and many 4 Ball vouchers donated by golf clubs around the county.
Refreshments were sponsored by Marstons Brewery, Famous Grouse and the club’s food suppliers. Golfers and visitors watched the golf and enjoyed a drink from a temporary grandstand erected by Steve Bodman scaffolding services in association with Austin’s Building and Civil Engineering Contractors.
The Golf Bowmaker competition was won by the Whistling Smoothies (Keith Walker, Peter Merrett, Jan Light and Chris Hayter) with 123 points. The best visiting team was On The Up (A Issacs, H Allen, S Bennet, G French) from Long Sutton Golf club scoring 119pts. The putting competition was won by Liz South. All of the holes had individual prizes sponsored by Hallgarten Wines, Domesticare, John Scott, Sainsburys and the 3 Captains.
Club captain, Jim Worsley, said the day had been a great success and that he was overwhelmed by the support of the local sponsors and members of the golf club. The money raised had far exceeded his expectations, given the current economic climate.
Jim, seniors captain Mike Norris and ladies captain Di Norris presented cheques to Julia di Castigliani from Dorothy House and Nick Pearce from Somerset Air Ambulance at the golf club quiz night on 2nd October.
Both Julia and Nick expressed their sincere thanks for the donations and emphasised their reliance on fund raising events such as the charity golf day to provide free care and support in the home for patients with life threatening illnesses and provide an air ambulance emergency service across Dorset & Somerset.
Julia and Nick also drew the winning ticket for the golf trip to Portugal, which was won by Mark Mulranney.
Vice club captain, Nigel Coleman, is looking forward to next year and organising the second charity day.