Fun and fundraising in Horsham Seniors' Turkey Trot
Golf’s Turkey Trot originated America and is used to describe a competition or tournament held around Thanksgiving where the prize was often a turkey for the festive meal.
It now more commonly describes any festive event around Christmas that features food, fun costumes and fundraising.
Horsham seniors held their Turkey Trot competition and it included all of the above. It was a Stableford qualifier raising funds for the club’s current charity, Home Start. This is a local charity that supports families with children in times of greatest need.
The seniors’ section turned out in good numbers and in their finest Christmas attire to raise more than £350 over the two days.
Each day started with a delicious home-made mince pie and a welcome coffee in The Café Upstairs as everyone checked in for the competition.
The players gathered afterwards to share the convivial atmosphere and to collect prizes for the first six places on both days, as well as several nearest the pin prizes, a prize for the best festive costume and prizes for the last two valiant competitors.
Although there was only a little rain on the day, conditions were heavy going in places and it was to the credit of James Barclay, the current Seniors’ Captain, that he came in first with 39 points.
Nigel Jerome was second on 35 and all the rest of the winning field finished on the same score of 34. Bob Andrews, Bob Smith, Keith Gaston-Parry and Shaun Moloney were separated by fine margins in their back nine scores.
Mark Smith was the winner on Wednesday scoring 36 points. He was congratulated by Jim White, current vice-captain of the seniors’ section and who added greatly to the Christmas mood with his seasonal outfits. Mark was followed by Peter Bayles and Steve Fisher on 34 points taking second and third.
The final three places went to Barry Gravett, Chris Macauley and Nairon Khan respectively with 32 points each. There were lots of happy prizewinners on two enjoyable days that added a significant sum to the ongoing charity fundraising efforts of the club.