STEVE TEMPEST was delighted with the outcome of the final event of his year as captain of Huddersfield Golf Club.
Not only did his ‘Captain’s Day’ raise almost £3,500 for his chosen charity, the Anaphylactic Campaign, but there was a surprise visit by the PGA’s Chief Executive Sandy Jones, who brought along the famous Ryder Cup, and a presentation by former PGA captain Parnell Reilly on his visit to Afghanistan.
The day began with a Pro-Am tournament which was supported by Footjoy, TaylorMade and Galvin Green for prizes and items to auction later in the evening.
Following an evening meal, Jones showed off the Ryder Cup and gave a talk on its history, before Reilly entertained the guests with a presentation about his visit to Afghanistan when he visited the British troops along with Colin Montgomerie and current PGA captain Eddie Bullock.
His slide-show presentation really gripped the audience and it was given added poignancy by news of the attack on the British Embassy in Kabul, where the trio had stayed during their visit.
“It was a life-changing trip, and the subsequent presentation was well received and there were some powerful images that brought home what our troops face out there,” said Reilly. “This was highlighted even more by events at the weekend, when the Embassy came under attack.
“Steve asked me if I would get involved and help him out, so we came up with the idea for a Pro-Am followed by the presentation to help boost funds for his chosen charity.
“Steve is a good friend of mine, and a regular golf partner, so I was more than happy to help him out, and I thought it would be nice if Sandy (Jones) could bring the Ryder Cup along.
“And not only did he do that, but he also played in the competition, stayed for the evening presentation and also said a few words.”
Reilly is a PGA Advanced Fellow Professional and manager of Bradley Park Golf Club, but he is also an honorary member of the Fixby club, where he began his career as a 14-year-old caddie.
So successful was Tempest’s Team Fourball, that the following day a cheque for £6,000 was presented to the Chief Executive Officer by his grandson Ryan Tempest, who himself suffers from the Anaphylactic condition.
Nick Marsh has been selected for the Fairhaven Nations Cup at the Fairhaven Club, Lytham St Annes next weekend.
Marsh, who has recently joined Huddersfield from Elland, won the Union’s Jubilee Trophy last year, and has been selected by England Golf to play in one of three teams, alongside Yorkshire Girls champion Olivia Winning from Rotherham and Harry Ellis.
