Under cloudy skies and with a lively breeze sweeping across the course, 56 golfers arrived at La Finca Golf on Sunday morning for the sixth Gary Beck Memorial Day.
As ever, Darren Bone, Mick Pryke and their team did a fantastic job of organising the day from start to finish. A huge amount of work goes into making an event like this such a success, and that effort was clear throughout. Once everyone returned from the course, Danny Cook and his team looked after us superbly back at the bar. Danny also took part in the golf himself, which says a lot about the great team he has around him keeping everything running smoothly in his absence.
A huge thank you goes to everyone involved, with an impressive €2,000 raised through donations, auctions and two football cards – double last year’s total. All proceeds will go to The Veteran Hotel on the Isle of Wight, a hub supporting veterans, particularly those from naval backgrounds.
There were also some heartfelt words shared in Gary’s memory, a moving reminder of just how much he is still missed by family and friends. Duncan Roberts delivered a heartfelt speech, drawing on the years he and Gary served together and the strong bond they forged.
As always, there was some excellent golf on show – and, naturally, a few shots that players would probably rather forget. Leading the way on the day was Billy McMillan with an impressive 39 points. In second place came Danny Benson with 38, edging it on the scorecard, while Phil Duane also finished on 38 points to take third. Karl Beck kindly presented the prizes, with Mick Pryke providing the commentary in his usual style.
Nearest-the-pin winners were Martin Sutch (3rd), Brian Reid (6th and 13th) and Stuart Black (16th). Twos were recorded by Harvey Pollitt, Michael Gaçon and Dave Rowe, all on the 6th. The top team score of the day was 116, achieved by Jack Webster, Brian Reid, Phil Duane and Billy McMillan. That team also generously (and ironically) donated a prize for the day’s lowest score, which went to Richard Porter.
Other prize winners included Kenny Cunningham (NTP in 3 on the 11th), Harvey Pollitt (NTP in 2 on the 17th), Drew Niblock (N/t Bracken in 1, under 18 hc), Dan Doyle (N/t Bracken in 2, over 18 hc), Ken Flaherty (N/t Bracken Bunker on the 18th), Harvey Pollitt (Longest Drive on the 5th) and Phil Lloyd (Longest Drive on the 18th).
There were also many generous donations and sponsorships, with thanks going to DejaVu Lounge, DejaVu GS, The Enthusiasticals, The Bistro, Corner Flag, Finca Bar, Johnsons Supermarket, Ansell Construction, La Finca Golf, Ken West (Aquilón Golf), Silverstones, Graham Connel, Kenny Cunningham, Charlie Jackson, San Miguel GS, Mark Bishop, Pete Baldwin, Steve Harding and Mick Pryke, La Finca Fillies, Mark Pryke, and a very kind veteran in the Corner Flag. Apologies if anyone has been missed, but every contribution was genuinely appreciated.
We are already looking forward to next year, and planning is already under way. From all of us, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a memorable success.
