Author: Neil Meixner

Over £22,000 raised for charity at Moor Park.

It was almost a year to the day that the committee first met to start Planning the EPICS 45^th Anniversary Charity event. It was around that time the two charities for the event were selected. Our President, Ken Adams continuing with Rosie’s Rainbow Fund, which our society has supported so well over the last five years, and our Captain Jason Wood, nominating Haven House Children’s Hospice. Two much deserving organisations.

On the 29^th of June 2022, all the planning came to fruition as our society enjoyed a wonderful day at Moor Park Golf Club.

It was an early morning start for some, as the room was set, ‘goody’ bags laid out and the golf shirts, kindly sponsored by Life build Solutions Ltd and ig9 Ltd, were placed into team groupings by the wonderful ladies Ruth Mendis and Jane Adams.

Guests and Members started to arrive from just before 11am, many who had not played Moor Park previously, marvelled at the quality of the club house and welcome from both the EPICS and Moor Park teams. A joyful buzz was quickly created in the room as the member and guest attendance grew and everyone enjoyed the brunch on offer.

Slightly later than anticipated but no one cared, our society President, Ken Adams introduced the day and gave a run down of the agenda. It was at this point that the true meaning of the day was outlined, the need to raise as much money as possible for the two chosen charities. The talk included details of the various prizes on offer, including a car for anyone achieving a hole in one on the 4^th. In a slightly surprising diversion from the day, Ken mentioned Steve Barker as the extractor. Bemusement in the room but all was to become clear later in the day!!

Looking resplendent in the sponsored golf shirts, everyone gathered on the front lawn for a group photo. Again, slightly worryingly, Ken asked everyone to turn round for a rear shot before departing to their nominated starting hole.

A shotgun start had been arranged and all golfers were in their tee positions. At 1.30 pm the klaxon sounded and, all but the couple of early starting groups, commenced play in glorious golfing weather. The West course provided a wonderful setting and golfing challenge reflective of the quality of the day. Setting off in a buggy, Ruth and Life Vice-President John Bush provided ongoing refreshments to the golfers throughout their round.

Stories of near misses and hitting golf balls onto tennis courts could be heard as the bar took its fair share of earnings upon golfers returning from their round. It was slightly later than 7.30pm when the dining room was packed as Ken introduced the charity representatives. The room fell silent as Carolyn Mayling (Rosie’s) and Kate Rosenthal (Haven House) gave a brief talk about the work each charity does and the positive impact they have. Each sat down after their talk to rapturous applause in appreciation.

Between each course of the meal, Steven Barker held court as auctioneer on gifts donated by various attendees and members of the committee. It quickly became clear that the attendees were keen to raise as much money as possible with some fantastic bids on auction items. Golf vouchers and tickets for Tottenham games raising particularly high values. As Steve prepared for his climax of the auction, he was suddenly approached by our President Ken, who quickly dropped to his knees. It was at that point the room gasped fearing that Ken’s earlier reference to extractor was about to be revealed. Showing his experience of reading rooms, Steve quickly backed away and the room once again settled. The final auction prize for a 3 ball at Wentworth was highly valued and bids increased rapidly. As the bidding concluded, one of our main sponsors, Franchi, kindly stated two vouchers would be available so the top two bidders had both been successful in their efforts.

The final part of the evening was the presentation of the trophy, vouchers and wine to those who had been nearest the pin on the various par three’s, nearest the pin in two and the runners up and winners in both individual and team competitions.

                                                                                     Nearest the Pins  were, on 2^nd Ann Tomkins, 4^th Jason Wood, 6^th Suzanne Biscoe, 9^th Iain Stevenson and nearest the Pin in 2 on 17^th was Martin Gibson.

Winner of the guest prize and nearest the pin on 13 was Ian Harwood with a magnificent 43 points

Winner of the coveted  Finlinson Cup for the best EPIC score was Terry Dobbins on 38 points (Cut 2) from Captain Jason Wood on 37 points (Cut 1).

Team Winners were The Diales Drivers entered by Chris Sunderland on 94 points (Best 2 scores from 4) from Knight Harwood entered by Ian Harwood on 90 points

Scoring had kindly been collated by Mark Beer and demonstrated the hotly contested competition for the prizes.

Our thanks go to everyone who was part of this day. In particular, however, we must mention the committee who devoted extensive time and commitment to delivering this event, to Moor Park for being wonderful hosts and to all our sponsors who helped raise a fantastic amount of money for the charities, EH Smith and Franchi for being the main sponsors for the event. Special thanks also to those who dug deep and bought the auction prizes. The list could go on and on but to everyone who played a part in this day, you can be immensely proud and know that somewhere, in their time of most need, our fund raising will help make things that little bit better for a child and their family.

Congratulations all on a magnificent £22,000+ raised for our two charities Rosie’s Rainbow Fund and Haven House.

Let’s do it again in 5 years’ time!!

Report by Captain Jason Wood