22:09
More than 120 golfers turned out in force to support the Charlie’s Trophy event at Dainton Park Golf Club, Ipplepen, raising more than £12,000 for various charities.
The charity golf day named after Firewatch CEO Martin Smith’s three and a half year old grandson Charlie Lawlor, was to raise awareness of Rubinstein – Taybi Syndrome (RTS).
The syndrome affects all areas of development.
The RTS support group will be the main beneficiary and will help fund the support groups bi-annual weekend meetings, where families with RTS members get together to both support each other and assist researchers in understanding the syndrome which effects just 1 in 125,000 babies born in the UK.
This year the beneficiaries was expanded , enabling organiser Martin Smith to make donation’s to local charities - The Action for Children Torbay Centre, Children’s Hospice South West, The Alice Cross Centre at Teignmouth, Chicks Charity , Wooden Spoon and the Newton Abbot Rotary Club.
“When we raised £10,240 last year I thought that was amazing but to raise nearly £2,000 more, was nothing more than outstanding,” said Martin.
“It’s particularly pleasing as it enabled us to give donations to local charities as well as the RTS support group; I want to thank the sponsors and many businesses and individuals who made the monies raised possible, particularly System6 Kitchens.Though the highlight for me was to see little Charlie walking around the clubhouse, something the family have been hoping for, for a very long while.”
With the golf day taking part on July 4 there was an American theme throughout.
The day included both a pairs and team stableford competition plus more than individual prizes up for grabs.
The main sponsor System6 Kitchens of Exeter put up a £10,000 kitchen for a hole-in-one, embracing the days theme Uncle Sam was in attendance, supervising the various events including, a putting competition ,Baseball & Texas Holdem Poker games.
Renowned trick shot golf maestro David Edwards performed and table magician Peter Baffles, entertained the golfers during their American themed BBQ.
On the course local professionals Rich Woods and Billy Hemstock helped the golfers by playing a shot or two for them.
The mixed weather did not deter the golfers who produced some credible scores, the pair’s winners with 72 points were Peter Knapp and Steve Seymour, who were guests of the Jelf Group, followed one shot behind by James and Rich Harbron representing Darnell’s and in third were Ryan Pope and Alistair Ross representing Genting Casino.
The winners of Charlie’s Trophy were the Jelf Group team – Peter Knapman, Steve Seymour, Darren Green and Terry Lee scoring 135 points, second were Darnell’s and third the team from Wollen Michelmore. Some interesting individual prizes were contested for including nearest the Bud (Budweiser) nearest the Jack (Jack Daniel) and nearest to Mickey Mouse, all with appropriate prizes in keeping with the name.
