TnP founder and Chairman Malcolm ‘Tiger’ Naish reports on the successful return of Simon Prest’s GAP golf day, sponsored by Orchard Toys
After an absence of 6 years Simon Prest’s GAP golf day took place at the Burghley Hall Golf Club, Stamford.
Much to the surprise of many, Tiger Naish won the Individual Stableford with a score of 45 Stableford points. 2nd Tom Ireland and 3rd Sam Hodgkins.For once, his putts went in, considerably helped by playing Simon’s ‘Joker’ card on the 3rd par 3. The card allowed all players to stipulate when they wanted to play the card before teeing off, which enabled the player to double his/hers Stableford points on that hole.
Tiger parred the hole doubling his points score from 4 up to 8. Along with Tom Ireland and Gary Wilmot their team also won the team prize, making this a most enjoyable afternoon for the team.
When asked to comment on his win, Tiger Naish had this to say: “The win made a nice change from all the ‘Don’t give up the day job’ trophies held back home. I also thanked Simon Prest for a very well-run golf day at a lovely Parkland course.”
“The win made a nice change from all the ‘Don’t give up the day job’ trophies held back home”
Everything was put into true perspective when Stu Nicholas playing off just 2, came in 2 over par to win the Best Gross and also the ‘Nearest the pin in 2’.
Long time friend and toy agent Craig Kidd introduced me to his son Jasper, who has now joined the agency that covers the South East of England. Jasper looks forward to meeting their customers and helping to sell even more of the Rainbow Toys range and the agency’s other toy lines. Craig’s team of Kingsley Li and Kevin Griffiths won the much coveted ‘Red cr-p ball’ competition that saw them playing in team order and managing to keep the ball in play for the whole 18 holes, while other teams failed – well done to them.
Alpha Toys’ Liz Price is possibly the toy trade’s best Lady golfer, fresh from winning the Lady’s prize at the Fence Club, Liz repeated this win at the GAP day plus winning the Ladies longest drive.
Other winners were Richard Wells – nearest the pin and longest drive – Doug Perry.
Whilst some still consider a company golf day a waste of time, I have to say that it is a great networking day, allowing both buyers and suppliers to mix in a most relaxed way, that results in new contacts and new customers.
So “Baa, humbug’ to those not approving of industry golf days.
The weather and the course were excellent, as was the beer and wine that flowed through dinner. Simon had also managed to persuade a local car company to offer a new Ford Puma as a ‘hole in 1’ prize on the par 3 – 9th. It added extra fun to the day. Needless to say, no one managed the hole in one.
Next year’s date is yet to be announced, but Tiger Naish confirmed he is taking extra golf lessons to defend his title for 2026!
