British Open Brass Band Golf Day
Like everything else, the annual golf event for Brass Banders, the British Open Brass Band Golf Championships, has suffered at the hands of the pandemic. The name engraved on the winners’ trophy for 2020 will read COVID for all time and it looked like that might happen for a second time when the event could not happen in its traditional early summer timeslot in May. Persistent lobbying from many of the field of competitors and dogged determination from the organisers meant that a change to a late autumn competition was the only option and so it was that 36 banding golfers (or golfing banders) took to the tee on Monday 25th October at Rufford Park Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.
The gods of weather looked down favourably on the competition as the sun shone for most of the day and the rain stayed well away from this delightful golf course. By the time the lead off foursome stood on the first tee, the temperature had risen into double figures and the wind was nothing more than a gentle breeze – perfect conditions for October golf.
It was the organisers Simon Willis and Andrew Bevan who started the ball rolling at 11am, along with Stannington Brass conductor, Derek Renshaw, and cornet player Phil Attrill. Some great golf and excellent banter saw the 4 hours pass quickly and as the first players in, Simon sat atop the leader board with a score of 35 points.
His moment of glory was just that though, a moment. As the leading score grew through the afternoon it became apparent that there was some excellent golf being played in the benign conditions and it was former BT Band and Ashton under Lyne Soprano Cornet player Phil “Rambo” Ramsden who was to finish top of the tree with a score of 40 points. It wasn’t a runaway victory for the man now nicknamed Bryson DeRambeau due to his choice of headgear. Hot on his heels was former champion, bass player Martin Gill with 39 points. Martin also became the first winner of the brand new Stan Lippeatt Trophy, presented for the lowest gross score as he negotiated the 18 holes in just 78 shots. With two players tied on 38 points, it was Michael Kennedy of Hatfield & Askern who took 3rd place on countback from trombonist Ian Brailsford who enjoyed a successful return to his home county from his adopted home in the West Midlands.
There were several other solo awards up for grabs around the course with “Nearest the Pin” on all four of the par 3 holes. Honours there were taken by Steve Alexander of Rushden Band, iconic cornet player Alan Morrison, another award for Phil Ramsden and cornet player Pete McCormick. Phil also picked up another award for scoring a birdie 2 on the course, a feat matched by Martin Gill and 2019 champion Steve Alexander … twice! The men’s award for “Longest Drive” went to George Newbould, principal cornet with Hepworth, and 12 year old Grace Gill (daughter of Martin) of Crofton Silver took the equivalent ladies’ award.
The day is not just about individual performances though. Each team is made up of four golfers and their scores are added together to find the Champion Quartet. With the BOBBGC Management Team coming in fourth and Ian Brailsford’s Midlands based team taking the bronze medal, it was Stan Lippeatt and his team (Christine Lippeatt, Michael Kennedy, Andy Kennedy) representing Hatfield & Askern that were kept off the top spot by just one point as Ashton under Lyne showed that, having travelled down from Tameside, they meant real business. Their winning score of 140 points was built by Chris Hey (36), Gary Broadbent (27), David Ashworth (37) and of course the Individual Champion Phil Ramsden (40).
Sadly, the change of date meant that some of the regular attendees were not able to compete this year, but in their place were a few newcomers as well as several familiar faces who had not played in the competition for a few years. Thanks to those partaking, and to some generous donations that allowed the organisers to provide a very healthy prize table, the day was definitely a huge success and it will be back in 2022, with the intention being to return to a spring date if at all possible.
Photos, the full results and information about future events can be found on Facebook via the following link: https://m.facebook.com/British-Open-BRASS-BAND-GOLF-Championship-240464443175095/
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