The 24th Peter Alliss Masters golf tournament was once again staged at the immaculate course Golf House Club, Elie on 11th October. The weather was fine and dry but a significant wind provided a stiff challenge. Unfortunately at the last minute it was learned that Peter Alliss, who has only once before missed being at the tournament that bears his name, could not attend this year.
The event formally kicked off with a cocktail reception at the Craw’s Nest Hotel, Anstruther, on Monday 10th October, followed by the welcome dinner for all the golfers and their guests who would participate next day. Hamish MacLeod, the charity’s chairman, read out a message from Peter Alliss, following which Adger Brown, a member of Cooden Beach GC and a long time supporter of the “wheelchair crusade”, entertained the guests. He then conducted a “heads or tails” fund raising sweep for a cartoon of Peter Alliss, which will be signed by Peter in due course, donated by the artist.
The 2011 “Masters” took place the following day with 57 players – including 4 ladies – representing 27 different golf clubs from right across the UK. Each group had their photo taken before teeing off. Once the starter had checked through the famous periscope that the fairway ahead was clear, John Roper, the Tournament Director, in
Peter Alliss’s absence, announced each player before they took their first blind shot over the intimidating hill confronting them.
Places in the tournament were earned by clubs and organisations raising money to purchase wheelchairs. Only male participants who were awarded a place by their club or charitable organisation could win the Green Jacket & Quaich. However, the field also included a number of guest players who had not earned such a place but nevertheless competed eagerly for the lesser prizes. There was also a prize for the top lady competing on a similarly earned place. The tournament was played as a singles Stableford competition, off full handicap.
The evening saw everyone back at the Craw’s Nest Hotel for the traditional bow tie dinner and prize presentation. Following dinner Hamish MacLeod introduced Jim McArthur, Chairman of the R&A Championship Committee, who gave an entertaining talk on some of the serious and some of the not so serious aspects of the game of golf. He then presented prizes to all the successful participants culminating in the presentation to Les Foley of the coveted Green Jacket, which he will keep, along with the traditional Scottish Quaich that he will hold for the next year as the 2011 Peter Alliss Master.
A £10 sweep was then held for a prize of three night’s accommodation for two at the Brickwall Hotel in East Sussex, along with a round of golf at Cooden Beach GC, donated by our long term supporter, Pepe Pollio. Mike Nicholls of Babberton GC won the sweep but very generously asked for this to be auctioned. Adger Brown very skillfully and entertainingly conducted the auction and, along with a cap signed by both Colin Montgomerie and Peter Allisss and a pair of D&G sunglasses, raised well over £2,000 on the night. This will go a long way towards the purchase of yet another wheelchair for a needy child.
The day ended with a disco in the bar of the hotel meaning that those with a strong disposition could continue the festivities well into the wee small hours.
CHAIRS DONATED
| To | By |
|---|---|
| Jake Buchan from Peterhead | Stoke by Nayland Ladies Section |
| Millie McKenzie from Dunfermline | Eaton GC and the Peter Alliss Masters |
| Elliot Cunningham | Sheringham and Royal Blackheath Golf Clubs. |
TOURNAMENT RESULT
| Men | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Les Foley | Cheshire Masonic | 37 pts |
| 2nd | Eric Malkin | Tytherington | 36 pts |
| 3rd | Simon Paddock | Macclesfield | 35 pts |
| 4th | Tony Lount | Sheringham GCG | 35 pts |
| Ladies | |||
| 1st | Barbara Lowe | Stoke by Nayland GC | |
| 2nd | Barbara Craven | Chester GC |