Somerset Chamber golf day raises £4,000 for local dementia charity

23 August 2017

This year’s Somerset Chamber charity golf day raised a record amount of £4,000 for local charity Reminiscence Learning.

Held at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club on 16 August, the Chamber’s 11^th annual golf day was a huge success and attracted over 60 business people across 16 teams.

The winning team on the day, with 95 points, comprised players from four different companies, namely Atom Insurance, County Flowers, MH Consultancy and Monahans. There were also prizes for the teams in second and third place, as well as for the best individual score, longest drive and nearest the pin.

Paul Haggett from Numatic International got the best individual score of the day with 41 points. He said, “It was a great day and very well organised. It was the first time I have played at Taunton and Pickeridge, being a member at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club, and I thought the course was in great shape and a pleasure to play. I just had one of those days where everything went in.”

Based in Wellington, Reminiscence Learning specialises in dementia care, activity and reminiscence through training courses and community projects. Following the round of golf, the charity organised an inflatable duck race on the putting green. Six of the golfers volunteered to take part, each wearing an inflatable duck outfit and competing in a series of fun challenges.

Fiona Mahoney, Chief Executive of Reminiscence Learning, dressed as the charity’s mascot Archie on the day. She said, “We were so proud when we learned that we were the chosen charity for this year’s Chamber golf day and we were keen to work in partnership with the Chamber to make the day a success. An early start and good teamwork ensured the day ran smoothly and was lots of fun – dressing up as Archie and holding the duck race made our charity really stand out, which ultimately made the teams contribute both enthusiastically and generously.

“The success of this event has further raised our profile and expanded our network of contacts to help our charity in the future. The money raised will ensure the continuation of our new memory café and existing community groups and will go towards the sustainability of the Archie Projects within Somerset.”

ITEC was the main sponsor of the event and its team came a close second on the day with 94 points. Account Director Nick Parsons said, “It is always a pleasure to work with Somerset Chamber of Commerce and ITEC is proud to have been the main sponsor of the Chamber’s annual charity golf day in aid of Reminiscence Learning. The event was professionally organised, bringing a great array of businesses from the region together for a thoroughly enjoyable day of golf, food and great company. To raise £4,000 on the day for such a well-deserved charity topped it off nicely!”

Summing up the day, Dale Edwards, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said, “What a brilliant Somerset Chamber charity golf day, with a record amount raised, a staggering £4,000 for a very worthwhile Somerset charity. Reminiscence Learning was selected as the chosen charity by the Chamber due to the excellent, invaluable and innovative work they do in the community, with an emphasis on volunteer engagement. I would like to thank everyone who participated, organised, supported and sponsored, and in particular main sponsor ITEC, all of whom made this such a wonderful day – including the crazy human duck race! Even the weather played its part, being dry and fine in an otherwise wet August.”