The Longest Day – the Summer Solstice – June 21st?? Call it what you will – but this year it was the date of the second annual Mark Bassant Festival Trophy.
Contested by members of Group 5 (Maidstone & surrounding districts) and Group 8 (Thanet), The Festival Trophy is Ryder Cup style golf event hosted at the London Beach Hotel and Golf resort near Tenterden, and a good deal of needle is exchanged on the run-up to this day.
London Beach Golf Club is not a bomb & gouge course, it could never be described as long, but it is fiddly, and rewards accuracy over length. The weather was magnificent (The Great Architect clearly blessed us) and the temperature on this day was as hot as it’s been all year. Thankfully we were blessed with the presence of Group 8 Chairman Jim Mason, and Charity Co-ordinator Paul Chute, who tirelessly circulated the course in their buggy offering non-alcoholic refreshment to those who were concentrating, and something a little stronger to those who just wanted to numb the pain.
On this occasion twenty golfers (ten from each Group) fought doggedly for the honour of lifting this prestigious trophy, and were duly led down the first fairway by Nigel Mann, Julian Friel, Paul McGuirk, and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for Groups 5 & 8 – Peter Rhodes. All four players having found the fairway, it was Julian Friel who drew first blood with a laser straight approach to just three feet – this was not going to be an easy day for Group 8.
Pretty In pink – Tim Wheeler (Area 8)
Another lost ball!
Phil Hughes resigned to havinh to give so many shots to Brian Ball
But tenacity and determination began to show through with Jim and Paul bringing the players updates of who was playing well and who was not. At one point Group 5 looked like they were going to be runaway winners, and half an hour later the momentum appeared to be shifting in favour of Group 8……
The first groups arriving back at the clubhouse, the scorecards were collected and pencils sharpened – but which would be the winning team???
Following a splendid lunch of sausages & mash the prizegiving commenced. Paul Townsend scooped the individual prize with a terrific score of 40 points. Roy Butler won the nearest the pin, and Leon Zacharow – the longest drive.
But what about the main event ?????
After much deliberation WBro Peter Rhodes presented the Mark Bassant Festival Trophy to the Group 8 Chairman – WBro Jim Mason – his team having clinched a narrow 6 – 4 victory, with many matches being decided on the 18th green.
As pleased as Jim was to be Captain of the winning team, the real winner today was the 2025 Festival.
A cheque for £1,375 was presented to WBro Peter Rhodes to assist with the Province’s progress towards our Festival objective.
To sum up, it truly was a good job that this was the longest day, because there was so much to pack into it. Great fellowship, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, friendly competition (with a little bit of sledging) whilst we enjoyed a good days golf in glorious weather. A delicious lunch with a little liquid refreshment, some prizes, and a hefty cheque that will allow the MCF to continue to support so many good causes.
Sincere thanks must go to the respective Group Chairmen – Julian Friel & Jim Mason, and to WBro Peter Rhodes for taking the time from his busy schedule.
We look forward to doing it all over again next year.
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