THE three new captains at Orchardleigh Golf Club had a last minute change of plan for their drive-in this month – a pop-up auction for local man Jamie Mines which raised £4,000 in an hour.
Malcolm Lloyd reports, “90 golfers arrived for a 9am shotgun start to begin nine holes of Texas Scramble, with a raffle, followed by a fiendish Phil Jefferies quiz and a one course lunch, then the ‘Captains’ Drive In’ down the first fairway.
“However, in light of recent tragic events, club captain for 2017, Shayne Cann, together with ladies captain, Marion Underhill, and seniors captain, Phil Jefferies, chose to donate the proceeds for the day to Jamie Mines’s fund.
“Orchardleigh member Trevor Atkinson and vice captain Neil McGuinness conducted events in such a way that the generosity of those present was brought to the fore.”
Club captain Shayne Cann said, “Our charity for the year is Dorothy House, but Jamie is well known to a lot of us and his brother, Ben, is a member here, so it seemed appropriate that we did something now.
“I am very grateful to all the people who helped out quite spontaneously. For example, when I was buying wine for prizes at Sainsbury’s the manager donated some extra bottles to the raffle, and Chris Vincent at Orchardleigh House donated a helicopter flight.
“Trevor Atkinson brought in a dozen four-ball vouchers from golf clubs in Gloucestershire, just by phoning round on Friday. The Orchardleigh members also brought in loads of prizes for the raffle, and then dug deep into their pockets to raise this fantastic sum. We all send our best wishes to Jamie and his family.”
Malcolm continued, “On the golf course, conditions were surprisingly good despite overnight rain, and the format ensured that everyone arrived in the clubhouse at roughly the same time, so the atmosphere was buzzing.
“With twenty-three teams entered, half the field played the front nine, with the remaining teams playing the back nine.
“Winners on the front nine were Richard Maunder, Pete Maunder, Den Jefferies and Michael Chu, while the captain disgraced himself by coming second in his own competition!
“Shayne was partnered by his two sons, Taylor and Jordan, along with vice-captain Neil McGuinness. On the back nine another father and son combination came first, with Trevor Bullus and son Matt partnered by Simon Curtis and Dave Rose.
“In second place, flying the flag for the seniors were myself, Terry Ryan, and John and Lorraine Collings. Nearest the pin for the ladies were Sarah Hynds and Diana Bullock, and Mark Holwill and Tim Barnard for the men.
“Guessing where the captains’ drives would end up always causes much hilarity, but Ladies’ Captain Marion Underhill hit steadily down the middle, where the marker of Trevor Atkinson was waiting.
“The men were slightly more wayward, but Carol Marquiss guessed correctly for the Seniors Captain, and Rod Painter did the same for the Club Captain’s drive. To finish off a packed day, the club’s annual draw also took place with Mark Adams scooping first prize of a Titleist 915 Driver.”
Pictured: New captains Phil Jefferies, Marion Underhill and Shayne Cann.
