A very enjoyable day in the company of Kent County Cricket Club at their annual charity golf day at Canterbury Golf Club. A break in the recent wintry weather allowed the invited players, sponsors and Kent professionals to play around the challenging but rewarding course in mild conditions. Although the advancing thaw did make everything somewhat damp and muddy underfoot!
I arrived early and met Club Fundraiser Heidi Coleman, who was responsible for many of the day’s excellent arrangements, and who introduced me to my notable playing partners Paul Downton (former England wicketkeeper and currently Kent’s Director of Cricket), Matt Walker (record scoring batsman and Head Coach) and Karl Smith (Director of Finance). Starting off at the 10th, we had a relaxed round, although our collective points tally meant we finished well-down the final points table in the four-ball, better-ball Stableford competition. Mitch Claydon’s fourball finished top with teams from Kreston Reeves and Bexley Cricket Club in second and third place.
The game was followed by a fine dinner and money-raising auction, with support from the club’s major sponsors WW Martin, which respectfully raised in the region of £6,000. The prizes had been kindly donated by Golf Escapes, Shepherd Neame, Princes Golf Club, Boughton Golf Club, Sir Tim Rice, George Kennedy CBE, Stephen Billings and Sussex Cricket.
Paul, Matt, and South African bowling legend and the County’s new Assistant Coach, Allan Donald, all rounded off the clubhouse activities by speaking of their plans for the coming season.
A great event all round and my thanks to Heidi for all her work and being such an excellent host.
