Our very own Malcolm ‘Tiger’ Naish reports back from another fabulous day’s golf at Burghley Park Golf Club
Simon Prest, Orchard Toys’ hard-working Sales Director, always organizes a fabulous day’s golf.
This year was the 19th year for the event and we were blessed with fabulous weather that saw many of the players wearing shorts and applying the suntan cream.
As defending champion, I was looking forward to defending my trophy, but alas following a good front nine with 19 points, my back nine was poor giving me a total of 29 points.
Simon had decided that following last autumn’s event he would bring the event back to its traditional date of late spring, which meant I only held the trophy for six months – shame, I hear you all say!
The course is right next to the famous Burghley Park horse trials and is a most pleasing Parkland course with nice wide fairways, no water hazards or terrible rough.
My teammates for the afternoon were Alan Dadswell, Essex’s answer to Rory Mcillroy, and Hornby’s Brett Anderson. Whilst we didn’t win the team prize, we did manage to keep our orange ball throughout the 18 holes, therefore winning a couple of bottles of wine each for attaining the highest Stableford score of 38 points. Less of my waffle!
There were some very accomplished golfers playing. I am a great admirer of Stu Nicholas who virtually plays off Scratch and managed to come in just a couple of strokes over par winning the lowest gross.
Like Simon, I love to encourage the ladies to take part and this year’s GAP Day Winner, off just 19 was Denise Farrow with 38 points – very well deserved.Second was Richard Wells of University Games.
Team prize was won by Messrs. Josh Beevor, Barry Fogarty, Liz Price and Jon Starling. Stu Nicholas hit300-plus yards to win the Longest Drive and for the Ladies’ Longest Drive, Emma Dennes.
An excellent dinner brought the event to a close with those of us staying overnight retiring to the nearest pub to review the day, with nightcaps at the hotel into the early hours.
In all, a great day’s golf, very well organized. Great to see Character Group’s Jerry Healy joining us and thoroughly enjoying the day.
Next year will be the 20th year that Simon has organized his GAP (Golf Academy for Pleasure) golf day. When other golf days have bitten the dust, full marks for Simon in continuing with his much-loved event.
Tiger Naish
