19th North Sails Golf Day raises £5,134 for the John Merricks Sailing Trust

by Suzy Hamel 30 Oct 2015 19:35 UTC 23 October 2015

19th North Sails Golf Day for the John Merricks Sailing Trust © Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Sailors were out in force on the golf course on Friday 23rd October, when 64 golfers turned out for the 19th North Sails Golf Day at Cams Hall Golf Club, Fareham. John 'Jonny' Merricks worked at North Sails and the first Golf Day, organised as it is today with the help of the Seahorse Golf Society, was set up to raise money for a Trust to be started in John's name. Since its inception 18 years ago the Golf Day has raised over £177,000 for the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST).

It was perfect golfing weather, despite the overcast skies it was dry, with hardly any breeze and pretty warm for late October, as former colleagues and friends of John's, as well as top sailors and marine industry figures, including Iain MacDonald-Smith, Phil Harmer, Jonathan Taylor, Ian Roman and Stephen Park, turned out to play a round of golf whilst also remembering John and supporting the charity in his name.

Luke Patience, Olympic Silver medallist, London 2012 and British Sailing Team mate Ed Wright, also wielded their golf clubs in support of the Trust.

Winner - Charlie Cumbley - 42 Stableford points
2nd - Frank Gerber
 3rd Ian Clark
1st Lady - Tessa Richardson - 31 Stableford points
Best Team: Paul Hobson; Ed Wright; Charlie Cumbley & Sam Richmond
Bandit Trophy - Frank Gerber for getting 3 shots on a par 5 and 2 on a par 3 - scoring 9 stablefored points for 2 holes!
The Contender Longest Drive was won by Pete Redmond - Contender generously offer an an extra donation of a £1 per yard of the winning drive adding £292 to the funds raised.
The Grapefruit Graphics Nearest the Pin was won by Frank Gerber

Jim Saltonstall, legendary racing coach, who counted many of the golfers on the day amongst his long list of 'ferrets', gave a speech outlining the work that the JMST accomplish with all the funds raised by events such as this, as well as highlighting the success that has been achieved by many of the individuals supported by the Trust.

It is worth noting that in the RYA British Sailing Team, 5 of the Podium Squad – Lorenzo Chiavarini; Sophie Weguelin; Dylan Fletcher; Stuart Bithell; Izzy Hamilton - and 3 of the Podium Potential Squad – Mari Davies; Joe Bennett; Kieran Martin - were awarded funding by the JMST in the past Mark Covell performed a fantastic job as auctioneer and arrived with an amazing 'money can't buy' prize direct from Bermuda for the auction.

Neil Mackley from North Sails thanked all the many companies who generously sponsored the event or donated prizes and, as well as the players, many of whom have attended year after year, for their support.

Richard Langdon from Ocean Images generously gave up his day to photograph the event - a selection of images is available on the JMST Facebook page: www.facebook.com/jmst.uk

Huge thanks go to North Sails for managing the event, Peter Nash of the Seahorse Golf Society and the Hole Sponsors: Contender; Dimension Polyants; Osmotech; RF Composites; TT Rigging; Grapefruit Graphics; Toolkit Websites; Soluxion IT; Ocean Images; Craftinsure and North Sails.

As well all the companies and individuals who donated prizes: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing; Louis Vuitton Americas Cup; BAR Racing; Musto; Henri Lloyd; Oakley; Trudy Cook, Ocean Art; Bainbridge; Andark; RYA; North Sails; Ye Olde Whyte Harte, Hamble

And, of course, all of the golfers who turn out to support the day, enjoy a round of golf with friends and remember Jonny.

www.jmst.org.uk