British Open Brass Band Golf Championships
(Pictured L-R Alan Morrison, Laura Morrison, Martin Gill, Gary Collings, Andrew Bevan (organiser))
Friday 24th May, 2019 saw 4 golfers representing Brighouse and Rastrick blow away the rest of the 11 team field at the British Open Brass Band Golf Championships at Rufford Park Golf and Country Club. Scoring 118 points, 13 more than their nearest rivals, the quartet made up of former B&R members Alan Morrison and Martin Gill, Alan’s daughter (golfing whizkid and former cornet player) Laura and permitted non-bander Gary Collings, showed that consistency was the key as they scored 31, 31, 30 and 26 points respectively using the Stableford method. Their victory saw them regain the trophy that they last won in 2017.
A gloriously sunny day in Nottinghamshire meant that conditions were ideal for the event and after some early morning light refreshments the first competitors teed off just after 11am. B&Rs nearest challenge came from Yorkshire rivals Skelmanthorpe. They were looking to go one better than last year when they were runners-up at Garforth Golf Club, but it wasn’t to be for them. Conductor Martin Heartfield rallied his team of Richard Swales, Paul Hillas (non-bander) and Rob Westacott (ironically the newly appointed Soprano Cornet player at Brighouse) to 105 points. That was just enough to claim second spot from XYZ Allsorts, a composite team made up on the day that amongst its members boasted the Principal Cornet of Black Dyke Mills Band, Richard Marshall as well as well-known band personalities Colin Hogg and Malcolm Bevan. They too scored 105 points but lost out by the method of countback.
In the Singles event, it was a 2 point victory for Steve Alexander of The Rushden Band. Steve has been a regular competitor at the event for many years but this is the first time he has claimed the top spot playing off a handicap of just 6. Scoring 35 points, Steve edged out fellow cornet players Andrew Bevan (Grimethorpe Colliery Band) 33 points, Richard Swales (Skelmanthorpe Band) 32 points, and Phil Attrill (Stannington Band) 32 points at the top of the leaderboard.
There were individual awards up for grabs too. Nearest the pin trophies on the four par 3 holes went to Chris Sheldon (XYZ), Richard Marshall , Richard Swales and Andrew Platts (Stannington), while the Longest Drive trophies went to the big hitting Phil Attrill (mens) and to Melanie Kennedy, representing Askern Band, who took the award for the ladies Longest Drive.
Finally, in recognition of the fact that most teams took advantage of the allowance of 1 non-bander per team, there was an award for the highest scoring non-bander. This went to former professional goalkeeper Paul Pettinger who was playing as a guest member of Elland Silver Band. His score of 39 points was the best of the day.
After the final putt had been sunk on the 18th green, the 44 strong field of players enjoyed a 3 course meal before being entertained by after dinner speaker, brass band legend, Stan Lippeatt. He regaled the assembled golfers with jokes and tales from his banding career. Before being allowed to retake his seat, the new organisers of the event, Simon Willis and Andrew Bevan, paid tribute to Stan, who has organised the golf championships for the last 18 years, awarding him an honorary trophy and a small golf gift. They thanked him for his work, and for the help he had given in preparation for this year’s event, saying that they hoped to maintain this wonderful day for many years to come.
With competitors having travelled from as far afield as the South Midlands, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Wales, it was time to make the long journey home, but not before the organisers publicly extended their thanks to the generous sponsors and benefactors who helped to ensure that the day went ahead and that the prize table was well furnished. These sponsors included Mode for… Publishing, Pennine Music Publishing, brassband.co.uk music shop, BMW Soper of Lincoln, Rufford Park Golf Club and Brass Band World Magazine. As well as the excitement of the golf competition, there was also a raffle for some impressive prizes (including a courtesy BMW for a weekend).
From the money raised, the organisers have made two charity donations. They have sent a donation down to the Cory Charity Golf Day being run by Tom Hutchinson in memory of Ian Williams and in aid of the British Heart Foundation. They have also made a donation to the Breast Cancer Care charity. With the date and venue already set for next year’s championships as Friday 22nd May, 2020, at Rufford once again, the organisers would like to extend an invitation to any banding golfers (or golfing banders) out there to join them. For more information contact Simon via email simonrwillis@gmail.com
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