Sunday treat for loyal Leighton Buzzard golfers
Leighton Buzzard Golf Club has come-up with a novel way of thanking its long serving members “for their loyalty”.
Treating members who have supported the Plantation Road club for 50 or more years is to be acknowledged each year with a special Sunday lunch.
The new event teed-off with eight men, and ladies accompanied by their partners with collective club memberships exceeding more than 500 years... and more have already been lined-up for a repeat next year.
Life-long Leightonian Steve Leng, President of the club which was formed more than 100 years ago, told invited guests that their support was “exceptional”. The lunch, he said, was to “acknowledge their loyal service”.
Topping the table was Ron Turner, a member for 61 years, with Edward Abraham a year behind and Paul Ryan having clocked 59 years.
Connie Nash, who was Ladies Captain in 1973, initiated a competition awarding a much sought after salver to the grandmother winning the “Grannies Salver” annual event. In her 59 years as a member, Connie won six different trophies.
Geoff Allatt, 59 years a member and now well into 90s, the oldest playing member at the club, won five major trophies and was Seniors' Captain in 2007, while David Down also won trophies in his 56 years as a member, and was Seniors Captain in 2002 followed by Derek Hobday two years later. Derek rattled up 52 years as a playing member while family foursomes winner Nigel Phelps was a member for 51 years.