The County President Douglas Pratt Weymouth GC was honoured to be in charge of the first dinner to be held at a Dorset GC. With Dudsbury having completed the Hotel it was an ideal opportunity to see it would be possible to host the County Dinner and with over a 168 members attending it is certainly the most successful that I have organised. We were honoured to have with us the newly elected President of the English Golf Union Mr Anthony Abraham who was in bonny Scotland a day earlier travelling by train to Bournemouth to attend. The After Dinner Speaker for this year was Stan Johns from Blackpool a sharp witted Yorkshire man. Our guests from around the counties were Mr Alf Palmer SWCGA, Stephen Butterfield Somerset, Phil Parker Devon, Martin Petit Gloucestershire, Geoff Titt Wiltshire, Chris Tappin Kent, Mr John Bury Sussex, Roger Vincent Surrey Tony Cullen Hampshire, IOW and CI, Gerry Fitter Cornwall and Richard Saunders from our sponsors Ringwood Brewery. We also had 15 of our clubs represented at the dinner from as far as Lyme Regis and Bridport we thank you all for your support.
The evening was also a chance for both club members and the county executive to pay tribute to Parkstone and Weymouth Golf Clubs who celebrate their Centenaries during the year, we wish them every success in their celebrations and hope they have another successful hundred years.
On completion of the meal our Master of Ceremonies Mr Philip Gardner got the main part of the evening under way, with our Past President David Lock giving the loyal toast.
We were then heartily entertained, firstly Anthony Abraham who delivered well, followed by our own President, Doug had no need to be nervous his speech was delivered eloquently, he touched on matters that are of concern to all. He also went on to present David Lock with the SW Seniors Championship Trophy a great achievment.
That just left Stan to get us all laughing which he did well stepping up to the microphone to entertain an attentive audience with some sharp and entertaining humour
We return to the Crown Hotel Blandford on Friday the 09 March next year so please make a note in your diary and I look forward to seeing you there.
Note from the Secretary:
Thank you all for your kind words from the comments received you all liked the venue, food and atmosphere we will return to Dudsbury hopefully in 2013.
Please note the photos are available and happy to email them to you.