Old Baggies

The Former Players Association held there 10th Annual Golf Day at Walsall Golf Club on Monday 25th June. One could say we are “blowing our own trumpet” but another successful day was had by all those in attendance. Considering the recent heavy rain the course was in excellent condition and to make the day even better the sun shone all afternoon. They say the sun shines on the righteous but it certainly looks after the Former Players and there Guests.



19 Teams and 18 Former Players teed off with a shotgun start at 1.30 pm, some in shorts but everyone in short sleeved shirts with our members proudly showing off the new FPA golf shirt.

Our thanks go once again to all those who entered a Team without there support the day would not be possible. Our special thanks go to our Sponsors Neil Betteridge from Amros Promotional Products, Tony Sammons from Solihull Roofing, Graham & Phil Silk and especially Con Cunningham from CPC Civils for his continued overall Sponsorship of the day. We also would like to thank Walsall Golf Club, in particular Richard Lambert, Professional, Marie and her Catering Staff, Jayne in the Administration Department and the Groundstaff without all there support the day would not be so enjoyable.



So with 19 Teams playing a Stableford 2 scores to count format we had a variety of scores with the lowest being 58 points. The Prizes were presented to the top 5 Teams on this occasion and the results are as follows:

5th: Black Bean Coffee Grinders  74 points (Gordon Keir, Mick Howells, Gary Arnold, Bob Ward)
4th  Amros Promotional Products 76 points (Neil Betteridge, Bob Bache, Phil Noott, Jon Westwood)
3rd  Hunt & Rogers  77 points (John Lucas, Lee Bashford, Neil Harber, Joe Mayo)
2nd  The Tiggers 79 points (Geoff Snape, Greg Hammond, Jamie Bunch, Keith Downing)
1st   CP Civils 1  85 points (Merv Chapman, Liam Darragh, Hamilton Jones, Kevin Summerfield)

Nearest the Pin (13th)  Lee Bashford
Nearest the Pin in 2 (9th)  Ally Robertson
Nearest the Pin in 3 (18th)  Andrew Robertson



The Former Players in attendance and competing for the Golfer of the Year were:

Ray Wilson, Ally Robertson, Mark Grew, Mick Fudge, John Lovatt, Paul Raven, Ian Hamilton, Joe Mayo, Ally Brown, Gary Robson, Darren Bradley, Don Goodman, Ian Edwards, Bob Ward, Campbell Crawford, David Butler, Bruce Collard & Kevin Summerfield. Keith Downing from the Coaching Staff, Richard O’Kelly ex Coach now Walsall FC & Norman Westbury Association Treasurer all joined us.



The Winner of the Former Players Trophy was Kevin Summerfield with 32 points, followed by Ray Wilson on 30.

Derek Monaghan & Brendon Batson supported the day but due to “injury problems” were unable to swing a club. Attending in a non golfing capacity for the first time was our Honarary new member Dave Matthews. Also attending the Dinner was Chairman of the Supporters Club John Homer, Former Director Joe Brandrick and Roy & Barbara Haden from the Kidderminster Supporters Club.



The Former Players Association members thoroughly enjoy this day meeting fellow team mates and playing golf with our Team sponsors, all of whom are great company and help make our Golf Day the great day it is. Again we would like to thank everyone concerned and look forward to holding the 11th again at Walsall Golf Club on Monday 24th June 2013. We are sure there are more Golfers and Ex Players that would like to be involved, therefore anyone interested in joining us next year please contact our Secretary Geoff Snape (geoffsnape1@btinternet.com).

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