Company Golf Day at Tandridge Golf Club
The annual Company golf day was once again held at the very beautiful and pretty Surrey course of Tandridge , in the rolling hills near Oxted . It was a chilly start , but remained dry and warmed beautifully as the day went on .
Past Master Derek Harris , a long time member of Tandridge , yet again laid on a splendid event . How grateful we are to Derek and all he does to ensure we have the best possible time . He even paid a visit to all of us during play on a buggy with his lovely little golf-trained dog !
We were all given some very useful golfing ammunition – including a lovely score-card sleeve with the Company ’ s logo attached – such a lovely touch from Derek .
There were 10 Company Liverymen and Freemen and seven guests participating and flogging it out for one of the several ( BAT sponsored ) magnificent hampers – filled with a range of wines and bubbly ! Grateful thanks must go to BAT for their continued sponsorship of the prizes .
The Master and Mistress kindly joined us golfers for drinks , lunch and prize giving – following their busy weekend in Ironbridge .
The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked along at a goodly pace . Our guests were admirably introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our Principal Guest , Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and very humorous reply to which I responded initially by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was very kind about it ( sorry Tim !). I was very pleased to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms and Letters Patent which have been missing for many years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out , and the new Immediate Past Master , Chris Allen , and his IPM , Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful representation and they are now resplendent in frames carved with tobacco leaves ( or close to ); Sandra also located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus Menzies , Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the Quarterdeck Most of us took
. on the par 3 challenge for some
Whilst vouchers all from this was the going pro-shop on , and apparently that meant biblicalstyle browsing downpours there after were play being – what had a all well-stocked over London shop
some
- it oblivious is ! to all that drama we ended our lunch and Compliments trooped back must to go the to quarterdeck the management where and Coffee green , Cigars staff for , and presenting Cognac a awaited very well us conditioned ( I did mention golf that
course Livery . Moreover enjoyed Tandridge dining on lived the High up to C its ’ s ..) reputation and which of providing seemed us to with hit the a superb mark spread – Liveryman of foods Jemma for Freeman lunch from had its kindly quality provided kitchen … the and torpedo most of cigars us and indulged had had in a them spoon placed ( or 3 ) in of souvenir its signature tubes ‘ Tandridge with our ’ Crest pudding emblazoned ! on it . Several of us also sported a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally Past Master Derek introduced the start to prize conceived as a sort of shooting hat , it serves its giving by getting somewhat carried away with recent purpose so well as a “ team ” hat , that of the twenty political events … and The Master presented the ordered , but one remained by the close of the day ! prizes and the magnificent Charles Rich Cup .
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the use Very of special the venue thanks , to Tim to Derek for being for his a perfect devoted Principal Guest organisation , and for of everyone the day . He attending no doubt and had giving much my year assistance such a and special support start from . his lovely wife Sheila , and our thanks to her too .
Next year ’ s event is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Monday 11th June 2018 . The Master
Assistant Paul Taberer
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