Rotarians raise over £5k with their Golf Day

The Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge recently held their 37^th Charity Pro-Am Golf Day at Copt Heath Golf Club.

The event was a huge success, with 23 teams taking part, each captained by a leading PGA professional. The weather was glorious, and many positive comments were received about the presentation of the Copt Heath Golf Course, the catering and the general organisation of the event.

Over £5,500 was raised from the day, which will be given to local charities including Age UK Solihull and Solihull Mind, as well as Prostate Cancer UK.

The winning professional was James Freeman from Retford Golf Club shooting 2 under. Andrew Willey was close second at 1 under from Oakmere Park Golf Club and there was a three-way tie for 3rd place at level par with Sam Dodds, Paul Streeter, and Craig Shave.

The Pro-Am team event was won by Hull Golf Course, led by Professional Blake Ellison recording a score of 130 strokes. Brockton Hall came Second with 131, Paul Streeter showing the way and including superb performance by Copt Heath player Lauren Bessford, who also won the nearest the Pin in Two on the 18th.

Third was the team from Retford GC at 132, Fourth place was tied at 135 with two Copt Heath teams challenging, but on count back the place went to the team of John Nosworthy, Brian Parkin and Keith White being led by Pro Andrew Willey, pipping Captain Peter McGarry, Sir Terry Morgan and Andy Foulkes with their Pro Craig Shave.

The final place, with a score of 136, was the mixed team of Copt Heath players led by Professional Aaron Lansberry with Kay Herd, Lizzie Brown and David Fleet.

As always, the spot prizes called for extra concentration by both Professional and Amateurs alike.

Nearest the Pin on 3rd (Professional) Meghan Hopkins

Nearest the Pin in 2 on 16th (Professional) Craig Shave

Long Drive Ladies 15th (Amateur) Charlie Blakeman

Nearest the Pin 5th (Amateur) Nathan Hillier

Nearest the Pin 13th (Amateur) Jason Evans

Nearest the Pin in 2 18th (Amateur) Lauren Bessford

Long Drive Mens (Amateur) Jacob Parsons

Rotary Club President, Robert Pannifer, thanked the Copt Heath staff for their assistance in putting on such a prestigious and successful event. Professional James Freeman commented in his thank you speech that “The course was presented immaculately, the catering was excellent and the general friendliness of the club was second to none”.

Will Dunn, Midlands PGA Tournament Director, presented the Professional prizes and said that the event had been “One of the best he had attended, with a superb course, excellent post-golf atmosphere and very well organised”.

Rebecca Jacob, Digital Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Age UK Solihull, says, “We are so grateful to the Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge for supporting us with this fantastic event. I’m so pleased that the golfers enjoyed themselves, and the funds raised for Age UK Solihull will make a huge difference to older and vulnerable people in the local community. Thank you to everyone who took part, helped to organise and donated prizes, helping to raise an incredible amount for charities.”