The 22nd North Sails Golf Day in aid of the John Merricks Sailing Trust
by Suzy Hamel 6 Nov 2018 02:45 PST
2 November 2018
A cold, frosty start soon gave way to a gloriously sunny day for the North Sails Golf Day on Friday 2 November, with 80 golfers enjoying the fabulous conditions on the course, helping to raise over £5,646 for the John Merricks Sailing Trust.
John ‘Jonny’ Merricks worked at North Sails and the first Golf Day, was set up to raise money for a Trust to be started in John’s name. Since its inception 22 years ago the Golf Day has raised over £205,000 for the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST).
Former colleagues and friends of John’s, as well as Olympic sailors, professional sailors and marine industry figures and, all turned out to play a round of golf whilst remembering John and supporting the charity in his name.
Winner of Day: Frank Gerber - 44 Stableford points – winning on countback from:
2nd – Robert Hunt - 44 Stableford points
3rd – Al Fraser - 44 Stableford points
1st Lady – Kate Palfrey – 35 Stableford points – winning on countback from Claire Tickell
Contender Longest Drive: Frank Gerber – winning a bottle of aged single malt whisky.
Peters and May Nearest the Pin: Tom Heywood – winning a great package from Peters and May of English Harbour rum and Fever Tree tonic, along with some Peters and May goodies.
The Best Team won the Bainbridge Trophy and 4 x Craftinsure Jackets: Nigel Barrow, Robert Hunt, Tim Law and Bob Kemp.
Bandit Trophy – won by the top three players who all scored 44 Stableford points each, with a countback used to decide their final ranking: Frank Gerber, Robert Hunt and Al Fraser.
Jim Saltonstall, JMST Trustee, thanked North Sails hosting the event and all the players for supporting the day that raises such a great amount for the JMST. He also highlighted how the funds are used to support so many young sailors in the UK.
Neil Mackley from North Sails thanked all the many companies who generously sponsored the event or donated prizes, as well as all the players, who enjoyed a round of golf on a fabulously warm and sunny day.
Olympic sailor Luke Patience kindly acted as auctioneer on the day, whilst fellow Olympic teammate Stuart Bithell, who became the first JMST award recipient to win an Olympic sailing medal at the 2012 Games, kindly accepted the cheque donation from North Sails.
Huge thanks go to North Sails for managing the event and to all the Hole Sponsors: Contender UK; Peters and May; Southern Spars; Marineware; Dimension Polyant; Soluxion Ltd; Osmotech; Grapefruit Graphics Ltd; Craftinsure; Toolkit Websites; TT Rigging; R F Composites and Ocean Images, as well as all the companies who donated raffle prizes and auction items.
And, of course, all of the golfers who turn out to support the day, enjoy a round of golf with friends and remember Jonny.