Meeting Reports The second Bristol and West Golf Day, once again kindly sponsored by Smith & Williamson, took place at The Bristol Golf club in Almondsbury, even with the torrential rain unable to dampen spirits. Thirty one golfers representing 22 different businesses from the world of credit management arrived in good time for a two-tee start time in what proved to be very challenging conditions. The day started with lunch in the clubhouse where all the talk was aimed in the direction of the torrential rain that could be seen across the Bristol Channel and heading directly for the course! With additional and much appreciated sponsorship from Lester Aldridge Fasttrack who provided 19th hole refreshment, Willis who provided Pro-V1 golf balls and Onguard who sponsored the Par three competition, it was good to see a sell out field descend to the course in good spirits. The main competition of the day, the Smith and Williamson Individual Stableford was a very close affair with the top three prizes being determined on count-back. Rob Harding of Lester Aldridge, playing off a 24 handicap notched 38 points and just edged out John Whitewood (14) of London House and third placed Shaun Tanner (17) of Leonard Curtis Recovery. The team event was won by Team Smith & Williamson comprising of team members Mandy Pope (Smith & Williamson), Chris Ross (CV Ross & Co), Dave Corbett (Edward Symons & Partners) and Dilip Patel (Wormalds). To complete the Smith & Williamson prizes for the day, the Longest Drive went to Ritch Hitchen of Peters Foods with a massive 272 yards and Keith Henry of Lloyds hit his tee shot to within six foot of the hole to win the Nearest the Pin prize. OnGuard kindly sponsored a par three competition where the individual event was also won by Rob Harding with the team prize going to Andrew Bannister (Willis), Steve Curtis (Atradius), Mike Hitchen (Willis) and Rich Hitchen (Peters Foods). Andy Scholes, Bristol & West Branch Chairman, thanked all those who participated and gave special thanks to the sponsors, who contributed in a major way to a very successful and enjoyable day. The Bristol Golf Club provided first class assistance in ensuring the day ran smoothly. Given the success of the past two golf days it is anticipated that the third Bristol & West Golf day will be held in June 2012.
ICM Bristol & West of England Branch
Bristol & West Golf Day
Windy City as Bristol & West day takes off
The day started with lunch in the clubhouse where the eager contestants assembled and no doubt thought of the potential glory that could lie ahead. Each golfer was presented with a sleeve of golf balls by Aon Trade Credit before heading to the course.
The weather forecasters had kept everyone guessing with threat of torrential rain in the days leading up to the big day. Fortunately, on this occasion, the rain had arrived through the night, the forecasters were wrong and by the time the first tee-time arrived the players just had to contend with high winds with overcast skies. Lester Aldridge were on hand with a mobile drinks caddy but with the wind making playing conditions very cold most of the drinks stayed in the cooler!!
Playing off three-quarter handicap the results were expected to be on the low side, especially given the windy conditions. In the Individual event, congratulations go to Colin Gibson of Rickerbys who cruised home well ahead of the rest of the field with 39 points playing off a handicap of 5. Runner Up with 31 points was Shaun Tanner of Smith & Williamson.
The team prize went to a combination of Mandy Pope (Smith & Williamson), Tony Cockayne (Michelmores), Mark Cullingford (Thring Townsend) and winning individual Colin Gibson, who together scored 94 points.
Individual Smith & Williamson prize winners were David Ward (SITA) & Phil Roberts (Clarke Wilmott) who both achieved Nearest the Pin honours, Colin Gibson won the Longest Drive prize, sponsored by Clarke Wilmott. The final prize of the day, sponsored by Lester Aldridge, went to Simon Bamford (Godove), for obtaining the best aggregate par 3 total of the day with 10 points.
Andy Scholes, Bristol & West Branch Chairman, thanked all those who participated and gave special thanks to the Sponsors, who contributed in a major way to a very successful and enjoyable day. Mendip Spring Golf Club provided first class assistance in ensuring the day ran smoothly and a date will be sought soon for the 2011 event at the same venue, probably earlier in the year to seek potentially warmer weather.
