A final word from the 2022 Captain
What a quick 12 months that has been as I complete my year as Burstwick Country Golf Men’s Captain, and what a brilliant year it has been for me personally.
My year began with the Captain’s drive-in early February 2022 which also marked the start of the Captain’s charity fundraising. My chosen charity has been Prostate Cancer UK. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to my charity events from popping money into the collection boxes on the bar, buying raffle/bus stop tickets, donating cash at halfway houses, attending fundraising events and participating in my charity golf day in July. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
The 2021 prize presentation evening was well attended in March and congratulations to all those winners of trophies from the previous year.
In May, I began representing the club at Captain’s Invitational events hosted by the 16 golf clubs within the East Yorkshire region, these ran through until mid-September. All were very enjoyable events that myself and my wife, Maureen loved attending, and new friends have been made by both of us. At this point, I would like to thank my Vice-Captain John Ward for assisting me with transport throughout my year as captain - more about John later.
July saw a 20-man squad head off to Leeds to play at the Moor Allerton course and the Leeds Golf Centre over a warm weekend and spending a cultural evening overnight in Leeds. I really enjoyed the weekend with Moor Allerton being the better of the two courses. The overall winner of the two-day golf event was Mick Gilroy. Thank you to all who attended and made my Captain’s away trip so enjoyable.
My own Captain’s Invitation event was held at the Club in August and was attend by the majority of the current Captains and vice captains plus dignitaries from the East Riding Union and the Captain of Captains. It was a lovely sunny day for the golf and afterwards a dinner was enjoyed by all the Captains and their wives/partners. The food at the dinner provided by the Nineteen Restaurant chefs was absolutely first class - after the event I received lots of complementary comments regarding the food and entertainment we provided. I would encourage members and non-members to consider using the club restaurant for all your special occasions.
My Captain’s Charity Am-Am day attracted 24 teams entering the competition who enjoyed a very good halfway house where the food was supplied by Cranswick Foods and drinks professionally served by my wife Maureen, my daughter Natasha and friends, Liz and Rachael. Thank you to all who made my day special and assisted to raise money for the charity.
This halfway house team returned two weeks later for the Burstwick Captain’s Cup Day followed by a Race Night and Hog Roast kindly provided by Head Chef, Tracey Stevenson. My thanks go to Laura and Alan for running the race event, and again an excellent turnout was enjoyed by all with further funds being raised towards the Captain’s Charity.
Unfortunately, the defence of my victory last year in the much-loved Burstwick Cup event was a golfing disaster. The trophy is played over two days in a small Ryder Cup type event and involves 28 players for the Captain’s Europe team and the Vice-Captain’s team USA. The first day’s score ended something like 1 point v 12 points to USA. The Burstwick Cup was easily won by my Vice-Captain John Ward. Well done to John and his USA team. Nevertheless, it’s the taking part not the winning that is important so it was an event fully enjoyed by all.
One Sunday during September, I attended the Ganton Golf Club to support the Club Juniors play in the Junior Final. They were excellent ambassadors for the Club and I was proud of all four of them; Tom Ward, Ashton Webb and Alex Hewitson.
My final event was the Past Captain’s Trophy held at the Club in October. The winner was Dave Smith, so well-done Dave. Afterwards we enjoyed another excellent meal at the Club.
As Captain during 2022 and Vice-captain 2021 I have enjoyed being included in the golf club meetings. Club and course issues are discussed and to be able to see how the course is heading in the right direction has given me more insight into the Club.
So that was my year, I now hand over the Captain’s duties to John Ward and his Vice-Captain for the year, Martin Gill. Good luck to you both. I know you will both be fantastic captains for our Club and you will enjoy the year ahead.
Lastly, I must also congratulate Past Captain, Brian Wilson who in the Spring will become Burstwick’s first ever Captain of Captains. This is a post held by an elected past captain with each of the 16 clubs taking it in turn to hold the office. All the best Brian, I hope you have a great year as you certainly deserve it.
To finish I would like to thank my wife Maureen for her tremendous support throughout the year, as well as Alan and Laura Key and all the staff behind the bar and kitchen - a big THANK YOU for helping to make my year so memorable.
Following the golf on the day of the 2023 Captain’s drive in, I will be presenting a cheque to a representative from Prostate Cancer, in the clubhouse, which will be for a fantastic amount currently standing at approximately £7,802. This wouldn’t have been possible without all your kind generosity.
Thank you all for supporting my year as Captain, I will never forget it.
2022 Men’s Captain
Nigel Colley