Captains Charity Day and Skins Exhibition Match, Held at Long Ashton Golf Club

Richard Wood, Club Captain

“The weather held beautifully on the day, and I think everyone agrees it was a fantastic show of great golf put on by Chris Wood, David Horsey and Jamie Donaldson to include a bunker clinic on the 10th. They all reported that they really enjoyed the day and were of the opinion it should happen more often. The entertainment value of the golf was greatly enhanced by the unique on-course commentary from John Morgan, and the insightful on-course interviews and updates from Geoff Twentyman, who added pressure when Chris was putting for £4000, but still sunk the putt, and we were also lucky enough that BBC Points West came along and filmed the event.  The charity auction was very successful and the show put on by Paul Barrington, who displayed his amazing range of trick shots and golf ball hitting skills, finished the day off perfectly.

“I estimated around 400-500 spectators attended and helped to make the day a wonderful occasion for the golf club. The scene looking back from the 18th fairway at the sea of people making their way from the tee is something I will never forget.

“The final total raised for charity has not been reconciled yet but initial estimates indicate around £24,000. This will be donated to various charities with £8,000 going to Chris Wood’s chosen charity Children’s Hospice South West, £7,000 to David Horsey’s charity Breast Cancer Now, £3,000 to Jamie Donaldson’s charity East Cheshire Hospice and approximately £6,000 to my charity the RNLI (Portishead).

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make the day such a huge success, our greenkeeping staff for presenting the course and greens superbly, Glenn’s dining room staff for keeping everyone filled with food, Nick’s bar staff for keeping everyone watered, the office staff for putting up with all my changes and promoting (including Ken Trowbridge) the event, the on-course marshalls headed by Robbie Park who drove through the night after marshalling at Carnoustie to make it to LAGC, the car park volunteers, Andy Cox and Chris Geeson for chauffeuring the players, the sponsors for the making the day possible and of course all the members for supporting us and who turned out in force to make the day such an occasion.”