Belton Woods Seniors Captain’s Farewell Dinner
Belton Woods Golf Club Seniors section held their annual dinner and dance to say a great big ‘thank you and farewell’ to their 2023 Captain Andy Wood. The event was hosted by the Belton Woods Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort and was extremely well attended by the Seniors membership and their Partners and Guests.
The evening started with welcome drinks of Bucks Fizz in the Hawthorne Bar where guests mingled until our MC for the evening, Mr Alan Lowen, called for them to make their way to the dining room. Everybody stood and applauded as Andy, accompanied by his wife Joy, made their way to the table. Alan then called upon Bishop Rob Gillian, one of our former members, to say Grace.
It was generally agreed that this year’s menu had some excellent choices and the hotel was commended for the beautiful standard of food offered. As coffee was served Alan introduced the new Captain for 2024 Roy Sanders, to propose a toast to our Guests and their Partners, and followed up by giving a toast to Absent Friends.
Never known to miss an opportunity to raise funds for our charities there was a short interval when raffle tickets were sold in aid of the new Captains charity, Prostate Cancer, as a result of which the amazing amount of £435 was raised.
Alan then raised his Gavel again to ask the Past Captain to give his farewell speech. Andy confessed that he had never known a year to pass so quickly and it was one he will never, ever forget. Let’s hope not because he and his wife Joy celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary during the year. Andy gave thanks to all those people who helped and supported him throughout the year of his Captaincy, with special thanks to all the Committee members for their sterling work.
Special mentions also went to Matt Bradley (Head of Golf) and his team, along with Ailsa Lines the Ladies Captain for all of their part in making the golf year successful. In addition, Andy thanked the Hotel Management and staff, especially Lloyd, Vicky and Evie for all of their help in looking after us Seniors this last year.
Finally, Andy made sure to offer his sincere thanks to his Wife (affectionately known as
‘Fun size’) Joy for just being there and allowing him to fulfil his role as Captain of the Belton Woods Seniors.
For his particular charity this year Andy had specifically chosen St. Barnabas for very personal reasons. As a result, he decided that all the money raised throughout his year of Captaincy would go to the Hospice in the Grantham Hospital.
He finished by thanking everybody from the bottom of his heart for their amazing generosity and kindness shown throughout the last year raising an astonishing £3,618. Andy then asked Deborah Yarwood (Fundraising Officer of St. Barnabas) to the stage and presented her with a cheque for that amount.
Deborah then chose to say a few words, delivering a short but very poignant speech on the workings of the Hospice and her gratitude for the amount of money raised.
Alan then delivered his final slam of the Gavel for the evening and called upon Roy the Captain for 2024, to present to Andy’s wife Joy a beautiful bouquet of flowers for allowing Andy to Captain the Seniors this last year.
However, before the dancing could commence there were three surprise presentations announced by Andy, being three very special engraved plaques personally made by our past treasurer Richard James.
The first being an engraving on slate to Sam Pigott our Head Greenkeeper, for his exemplary 30 years of service to course maintenance and structure.
The second, an oak engraved open book and the Claret Jug Trophy, to Andy Davidge on becoming the Golfer of the Year for the second year running.
And finally, another engraving on slate to Mike Whitington in recognition of his continuous and invaluable contribution, to the success of the Seniors Group over the years as both Captain and Mentor.
Everyone finished the night off dancing to Ace Disco who provided the rest of the evening’s entertainment on the dance floor.
PHOTOS ATTACHED:-
Photo 1 Andy Wood with Wife Joy.
Photo 2 Myself with Deborah Yarwood (Fundraising Officer for St Barnabas) along with cheque for £3.618.30p.
Photo 3 Roy Sanders (2024 Captain) presenting bouquet of flowers to Andy Woods Wife, Joy.
Photo 4 Sam Pigott (Head Greenkeeper), we presented him with an engraved plaque on slate for his 30 years of exemplary service to Belton Woods.
Photo 5 Presentation to Andy Davidge with an engraved open book and the Claret Jug for Golfer of the Year (Second year running).
Photo 6 Presentation to Mike Whitington of an engraving on slate in recognition of his continuous and invaluable contribution to the success of the Seniors Group over the years as both Captain and Mentor.
