SSAFA golf tourney a success at stunning Southerndown

Baking-hot sunshine tempered by the odd sea breeze provided near-perfect conditions for the 2023 SSAFA Wales Charity Golf Day held at Southerndown Golf Club in South Wales, which was won by the Old Fogies team.

Located to the south of Bridgend and overlooking the Bristol Channel, Southerndown Golf Club sits some 200 feet above the Ogmore River Valley, making it one of the most spectacular, and popular, championship courses in South Wales.

It was certainly popular with the 56 players – including a team counting Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, the CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity in its quartet.

Play commenced at 8.30am, with the 14 teams setting off in stages throughout the morning, while prize-giving at Southerndown – which is the qualifying venue for the 2023 Rolex Senior Open – started around 5.30pm. It was a welcome opportunity for players to rehydrate themselves after three hours’ golf with temperatures into the high twenties.

Thousands of pounds were raised on the day, money that will go towards funding SSAFA’s vital work for serving personnel and veterans, and their families in Wales.

As valuable as the funds are, it was also an opportunity to raise the profile of SSAFA with teams mostly made up of civilians, and an address by Sir Andrew, as well as the chance to chat with volunteers and staff from the charity.

Colonel S O Thomas, Regional Representative SSAFA Wales, said: “We’re very grateful to the President, Chairman, and Committee of Southerndown Golf Club for allowing us to use the course for our SSAFA Wales Charity Golf Day.

 “The club has a long association with the military and when it was founded in 1906, one of its founder members was Colonel JID Nicholl and the family of Colonel AA Duncan, President (1966 -1970), were also instrumental in its formation.

 “The club can count two colonels, two army captains and an air force wing commander amongst its past captains. Currently, there are many retired service personnel amongst the membership and the support for SSAFA from the club and its members, both this year and last has been outstanding.

 “We hope that we can continue to hold our charity event at the prestigious Southerndown Golf Club for many years to come.”

Results:

Winners The Old Fogies (Grant Mordecai, Nigel Morgan, John Lee, and Trevor Rowbotham)

Runners Up A Good Effort (Jaco van der Merve, Sir Andrew Gregory, Sally, Lady Gregory, and Rupert Gregory)

Longest Drive Peter Littlejohn

Nearest the Pin Luke Sloan

The South East Wales branch of SSAFA will be fundraising in Abergavenny by taking part in “walking busking” with Choirs for Good on Sunday, June 25, and the charity will be represented at the Wales Air Show on Swansea Beach (July 1 and 2).

For more information – including how to volunteer, fundraise, or access support – visit ssafa.org.uk.