National Armed Forces Day Golf Competition proves a real winner for all
28 June 2010
Members of the Armed Forces, Past & Present enjoyed beautiful blue summer skies with temperatures soaring in the mid 20s at the National Armed Forces Day Golf Competition held on Wednesday 23 June 2010.
The event took place in the beautiful countryside of the Vale of Glamorgan at the Cottrell Park Golf Club and was part of the celebrations leading up to National Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26 June 2010. The event proved to be a huge success with nearly 90 competitors from all three services battling it out for the prestigious awards and bragging rights.
The sponsored "Royal
British Legion" Individual Trophy, which was played on the club's
Mackintosh Course, proved to be a real battle for the
competitors, with its immaculate fairways and greens and difficult
pin positions. After a hard fought contest, Paul Baker, a
retired RAF Warrant Officer and now an area director for RAFA came
out on top, winning the much coveted trophy, with Bill Tobin, also
of RAFA, finishing a close runner up and Martyn Griffiths of the
Welsh Guards Association taking third place.
The Longest Drive on the Mackintosh course was made by Simon Davies and Nearest the Pin was won by John Rogers Jnr, of The Royal British Legion Ferryside Branch, with a shot worthy of a professional as the ball bounced and bobbled its way down the fairway, ending up just inches from the hole.
The team event was dedicated in
memory of Richard Hunt and the Richard Hunt Foundation and was
played on the idyllic Button Course, which like the Mackintosh
proved more challenging than its appearance. The super fast
greens and hidden hazards found even some of the best golfers
wanting, but after all the trials and tribulations it was the
English Choppers, a team from the Bristol Fire Services who came
first, with a creditable score 95 points. Second place went to
the ex-Royal Welsh Fusiliers team and third place went to the team
from 160 (W) Brigade.
The Longest Drive on the Button Course was made by Samantha Low of the Welsh Transport Regiment and Nearest the Pin was won by Neil Summers ex-RWF.
As the competitors completed their round of golf they were welcomed home to a well deserved cool drink and a scrumptiously prepared Hog Roast and buffet.
Dave Morris, the main organiser of this momentous event, gave thanks to the Cottrell Park Golf Club and The Royal British Legion for their joint sponsorship and thanked his team, Carl Pugh, Barbara Howells, Hayley Peels, Paul Harries and Cath for their continued support, time and effort given in making this competition such a fantastic event.
He also thanked the special guests who presented the prizes, The RT Hon the Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff, Councillor Keith Hyde, the Chairman of The Royal British Legion Mr John Farmer and Hazel Hunt of the Richard Hunt Foundation.
John Farmer, Chairman of The Royal British Legion, commented: "I can tell everyone enjoyed the day, and the fabulous weather was a real bonus. Special credit must be given to all the competitors here today for taking the time off midweek to support the Armed Forces Past & Present. Well Done to all!"
