Suffolk Golf Union Centenary Day
The Suffolk Golf Union was formed on the 17th June 1924 initially comprising of 9 clubs. Aldeburgh, Woodbridge, Ipswich, Southwold, Lowestoft, Newmarket, Felixstowe, Waveney Valley and Framlingham. The first President was Michael Faraday (Aldeburgh) who presented the Suffolk Open Championship Trophy, and secretary, J Pipe (Southwold)
Initial affiliation fee was 1 guinea for clubs with less than 100 members and 2 guineas for clubs with more.
As part of the celebrations a Centenary Golf Day was held at Woodbridge Golf Club on Tuesday 2nd July with 116 invited players taking part, playing on both courses. Amongst our invited guests we were delighted and honoured to welcome the England Golf President, Ian Watkins and his wife Vicki together with the Presidents of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and BB & O and Vicki Hunt, President of Suffolk County Ladies Golf Association. The Norfolk President was unable to be there owing to a prior engagement and was represented by Andrew Gooch whilst the Northamptonshire President was unable to attend through injury..
The weather could have been better play starting in constant fine drizzle. Never the less both courses were presented in excellent condition and some excellent scores were returned.
The winners on the Heath Course were John Pywell and Terry Smith (Southwold) with 43 points. In addition to receiving a commemorative 100 year Suffolk Golf Union Head Cover and a bottle of champagne they received a trophy donated by Martyn Dines which will be played for annually at the Presidents Golf competition which takes place prior to the Annual General Meeting. Please click here to view all Heath course scores.
The winners are pictured,left, with Martyn Dines and Ian Watkins
First prize on the Forest course went to Ian Woodhead and Stuart McCallum with 43 points. Please click here for other Forest course scores.
The winners are pictured,right, with Ian Watkins
Nearest the pin prizes, a magnum of champagne, on the Forest course went to Ken Stuart on the 2nd and Adrian Pitts on the 8th. On the Heath course, Alan Middle on the 7th, Kevin Brooks on the 9th and 12th and William Quantrill on the 15th.
Prior to the presentations Peter Sledmere, President of Woodbridge and Finance Director of Suffolk Golf Union welcomed everyone and then Ian Watkins, President of England Golf gave a brief history of and proposed a toast to the Union. Charlie Wilderspin, President of Suffolk Golf Union gave a short speech in which he thanked Peter Sledmere for his hard work in organising the event and presented him with a box of golf balls to replace those which he had lost the previous week when playing the Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa in England Golf’s own Centenary celebrations.
The President also presented bottles of champagne to Mike Rees and Ron Kent to recognise their service to the Union which in both cases spanned well over 20 years.
Charlie thanked Woodbridge Golf Club for the use of both of their courses and club house facilities, Paul and his greenkeeping team for producing two excellent courses for us to play,, Ryan and his staff for an excellent buffet, the Bar Staff, starters, drinks hosts, score recorders and everyone else who helped to make the day such a resounding success.
