Basil Fry & Company and RSA co-hosted a charity golf and mountain biking day on 24 July in aid of Basil Fry & Co’s nominated charity, LEAF (Leukaemia Educating and Fundraising).
24 golfers played the prestigious Downs Course at Goodwood Golf Club with 6 cyclists being led across the top of the hills by keen mountain biker, Philip Wildman, Managing Director of Basil Fry & Co.
For once the weather was perfect for golf with a gentle breeze and a cloudless sky although it was perhaps even a bit too warm for the cyclists!
The day started and finished with fine fayre at the beautiful Kennels club house before the cyclists took off up the hill towards Goodwood Racecourse and the golfers followed in the same direction along the bottom of the valley and at a more leisurely pace.
Along the way the golfers were treated to a Beat the Pro Competition from Paul Jones, resident pro at Canford Magna Golf Club, Dorset with only three players succeeding in taking his money!
There were Mulligans and free drops on sale as well as a nearest the pin and longest drive competition, a team prize and a raffle to finish the day with various Olympic and golf goodies on offer.
The cyclists, including Ian Palmer of White & Co., enjoyed a day of strenuous climbs, swooping descents and excellent views across the South Downs.
Paul Jones helped give out the prizes at the end of the day and also took the opportunity to talk about Basil Fry’s chosen charity which is very close to his heart as it was founded by his wife, Natasha Jones, when she was diagnosed with leukaemia two weeks after giving birth to their second son, Alfie, seven years ago.
Natasha, who was given the all clear two years ago, founded the charity from her hospital bed and while in isolation and the charity has gone from strength to strength over the last 6 years raising a total of £150,000.
Peter Doman, Account Executive at Bail Fry & Co thanked everyone for their company and generosity following the day’s activities and over a well earned pint and Goodwood lamb burger. Thanks were extended to Goodwood Golf Club, to Royal & Sun Alliance for their continued support of Basil Fry & Company and to Paul Jones for his efforts and the odd stroke saving tip. The total raised on the day was £725.00, a fantastic amount given the numbers attending.
Natasha Jones said, “I would like to thank everyone at Basil Fry for nominating LEAF as their chosen charity this year. They have been a key supporter over the last few years attending various events and Peter (Doman) has also completed the last three Great South Runs for us which has raised in excess of £1,500. We would especially like to thank Basil Fry and RSA on this occasion for organising such a great event for LEAF and we hope everyone enjoyed the day.”
Further details on LEAF can be found at www.leafcharity.com.
Top photo: the winning team, left to right: Peter Doman, Ian Nicholson, Jamie Briggs and Louis Spies, above; the cyclists; right photo: John Luxford, left and Paul Jones.