2024 Competition - Thursday 4th July, Roseberry Grange Golf Club
All funds raised this year will be donated to the DURHAM FISHING CHARITY
From: The Organising Committee
S. Willis, M. Rankin. C. Pattison, A. Jenkins and W. Baty
The 2024 Ravensworth Masonic Golf Trophy
Ravensworth Golf Trophy goes to Earl of Durham Lodge
On Thursday the 2nd of July on a windswept afternoon at Roseberry Grange Golf Club near Chester-le-Street, the 2024 Ravensworth Masonic Golf Tournament was held with some 68 Golfers supporting the Event.
The Course was in magnificent condition and was set up well by the Greenstaff with the Members of Roseberry Grange fully supporting, and also joining in, this annual competition. The format played was Stableford Pairs Betterball which gave a chance to all those participating and the Charity benefitting this year was the Durham Masonic Fishing Charity. WBro. Alan Jenkins was the link between the Organising Committee and the Golf Club and we thank him for his considerable efforts in liaising between everyone to make the day so successful.
Consumption of Bacon Sandwiches and Coffee was the first business of the day ahead of playing. First tee-off was 10am and we were delighted that our Provincial Grand Master, RtWBro. John Paul Thompson took time from his busy schedule to support the day; he also generously sponsored the First Hole. He thanked all the golfers and sponsors who make this annual event so enjoyable and hoped that they would have a wonderful day supporting such a worthwhile charity.
Support in the way of donations towards the Raffle, entry to the Nearest The Pin Competition, and the purchase of Raffle Tickets was generous and the Organising Committee thank all those who did so. The same thanks is extended to all the Sponsors who support this Annual Golf Day and, of course, the Players themselves who are the mainstay of the Event.
The day gathered momentum and the Competititon became tight; heavy rain fell for some groups which affected their chances of winning, whilst others struck the ball cleanly and gained points. It was never going to be a high score that would win, because of these conditions.
Returning after their challenging round of golf, the players were provided with a hearty two-course meal and a full bar, served by the very helpful and pleasant staff at Roseberry Grange Golf Club.
The final pairs came in around 4pm and so the results could be calculated and organised by WBros. Stephen Willis and Craig Pattison. Once all the groups were in the Clubhouse the results were confirmed and the Presentation went ahead.
Results were as follows . . .
First Place with 40 Points were Ben Tindale and Tony Best from the Earl of Durham Lodge No. 1274. Apart from adding their Lodge Name to the trophy, the pair receive an attractive Crystal Bowl for the Lodge to keep and display for a year and also a Four-Ball Voucher for Whickham Golf Club, as well as personalised engraved whisky glasses, a box of golf balls, bottles of spirits and an MCF Golf umbrella each. A formal presentation of the trophy will take place at the Earl of Durham Lodge at their November meeting.
Second Place with 39 Points were Bryan Scott and Bill Baty, the 2023 Winners, representing St Mary’s Lodge 4864. They received a box of balls, a bottle of wine and an MCF umbrella each, as well as a Four-Ball Voucher for Roseberry Grange Golf Club.
Third Place with a score of 38 points (on countback) were Two Lady Guests from Roseberry Grange Golf Club, Hazel Dawson and Alice Thompson, who received a bottle of wine and a MCF umbrella each.
Fourth Place were another two Guests from Roseberry Grange Golf Club, Ian Macarthur and Andrew Barrass, with a score of 38, who also received wine and umbrellas.
Nearest The Pin on the 18th Hole was perhaps the happiest golfer on the day, Craig Gartside of Lumley Lodge No. 5807 who won £100 as his ball landed within six feet of the hole.
Nearest The Pin in Two on the 13th Hole was Ian Macarthur also received a free round of golf at Whickham Golf Club.
In his remarks ahead of making the Presentation Craig Pattison thanked everyone for their total support of the Event, whether this be as a Player or a Sponsor. He reiterated the thanks of everyone involved to Roseberry Grange Golf Club for all their assistance and thanked those on the Organising Committee for all their efforts.
The whole day was a great success and £2,000 was raised for the Masonic Fishing Charity, a fantastic final amount but one that could only have been possible with the support of the Golfers participating and the Sponsors who give so generously. This generous donation will enable this worthy charity to continue their work in the community by the events they organise for disabled and disadvantaged children and groups.
The Organising Committee would like to record their thanks to Roseberry Grange Golf Club, its Members and Greenstaff who provided us with a Golf Course fit for the event and we look forward to 2025 where it is hoped continued support of the Ravensworth Masonic Golf Trophy will continue.
