The ‘wizards of the niblick’ held their annual perambulations at Lee Park Golf Club on a glorious rainy summer day. The Liverpool Group Golf Society Chairman Phil Pattullo hit the opening drive signalling the start of the competition of the Liverpool Group Masonic Golf Day.
In all 28, golfers had entered and after all had had completed their round, they were joined for the presentation meal by the Liverpool Group Chairman Dave Johnson with vice chairman Bob Paterson. Group secretary Neil Francis and group treasurer Jim Eddowes were already present having competed in the tournament. The meal, which was well attended, included two representatives from a local charity ‘Breast Mates’ Donna Saunders and Tracey Carmichael. Breast Mates, as the name suggests, is a breast cancer group offering support and information to people with breast cancer.
The eagerly anticipated award of prizes was soon underway with Dave Johnson presenting the prizes, which all went to visiting guests as follows; Longest Drive – Joe Paton, Nearest Pin – Philip Darby, and Visitors Trophy – Ron Stott 37pts
Dave next presented The Liverpool Group Trophy to Billy Sharp who achieved the magnificent total of 43points. This was a moment to savour for Billy who played an outstanding game and followed on the heels of last year’s completion when he was runner-up. This year’s Liverpool Group Trophy Runner Up was Roy Cowley on a commendable 34 points
The President’s Cup was retained by Blenheim Lodge No 7519 with a total of 91 points this year. This begs the question as to if they will be put under a challenge in next year’s competition.
The Liverpool Golf Society Officers thanked Dave Johnson for attending and presenting the trophies and prizes, and the attendance of the other group officials. Dave Johnson thanked the Golf Society for organising the competition day and presentation dinner in the evening. He also thanked the gentlemen and brethren for their attendance and for supporting the event. He reiterated how monies raised from the event go a long way to supporting charities.
He also announced that a donation of £500 will be made to Breast Mates from the group disbursement account. This is separate to the monies raised from the golf day which will benefit other good causes.
Representatives from Breast Mates, Donna and Tracey, thanked Dave and the brethren for their generous donation and gave an insight to the work that Breast Mates (who are now located in Prescot, Merseyside) do in raising the level of support that is offered to people diagnosed with breast cancer and to raise awareness of breast cancer in the local community.
Dave also gave thanks to the members of the Liverpool Group Golf Society, Tom Walsh, secretary, Geoff Brown, treasurer and Phil Pattullo, chairman, for all their hard work in organising the event and for their hard work throughout the year. This was met with rapturous applause.
Following on from this, Phil Pattullo and Geoff Brown conducted a Dutch auction that raised £168, and the sale of a golf bag raised a further £40, while a raffle (which was also contributed to by non-dining golfers) raised £275, making a total of £483 raised for charity on the evening. Phil then announced that the Liverpool Group Golf Competition for 2024 will be again held at the tremendous Lee Park Golf Club on Friday 5 July 2024.
The group will be represented at the West Lancashire Provincial Golf Competition at Carus Green Golf Club, Kendal, on Friday 11 August 2023 by Roy Cowley, Alan Ray, Robert Ray and Billy Sharp.