Fairway Credit Final 2010
Fairway Credit Finals 2010 photos
Just as Europe were winning the Ryder Cup, the GCMA’s London and Home Counties region took control in the all-important Fairway Credit Final, writes Alistair Dunsmuir
Monday October 4, 2010 is now a date etched in every European golfing enthusiast’s mind. With fears surrounding wet weather, allayed thanks to a day of unexpected sunshine that helped add beauty to the drama, the competitors teed off on a great British course ahead of a day of nail-biting, high quality golf that will live long in the memory of all those present.
And it is also worth remembering that the Fairway Credit Final, the annual tournament that brings together GCMA members, plus representatives from Premium Credit (providers of Fairway Credit) and the EGU, took centre stage on the same day that Europe’s finest won the Ryder Cup.
With telecommunication technology the way it is today, participants were kept abreast of Ryder Cup developments throughout the day (it can’t be a coincidence that Colin Montgomerie looked particularly anxious at precisely the same time as the London and Home Counties region took the lead).
Joking aside, the Fairway Credit Final is the culmination of several months of hard work in which hundreds of golf club managers compete throughout the country for a place in the final which, this year, for the first time, was staged in the picturesque, parkland surroundings of Moor Hall Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield.
Premium Credit, which has been a key sponsor of the GCMA, continues to offer golf clubs its Fairway Credit facility to offer GCMA members the opportunity to pay their subscription in Direct Debit instalments rather than one lump sum, which has proven to be an important facet in membership retention since the economic downturn. The tournament, while also useful for managers to network with other managers from throughout the UK is essentially the Premium Credit’s way of showing its support for the work golf club managers do.
This year saw new invited guests. As well as three GCMA representatives (Chief Executive, Keith Lloyd, Captain Mike Hoare and Captain Elect John Dinsdale), there were also three guests from the EGU (Club Services Manager Paul Keeling, Finance Director Craig Wagstaff and Marketing & PR Manager Lynne Fraser), highlighting the close working relationship between the two organisations and Premium Credit.
In a final every bit as close as the tournament in Newport, the winner was Ian Attoe from West Byfleet Golf Club with a score of 38. He said: “It’s an honour to win this trophy and thanks to Moor Hall for such a quality golf course. Maureen Brooker, London and Home Counties regional secretary, will be unbelievably proud! Just like the Ryder Cup, it’s not about the taking part, it’s the winning that matters!” The all-important team prize was secured by the London and Home Counties region, which featured Ian, along with Roger Carr and Martyn Allen.
Premium Credit does not stipulate that any competitor must be a client, nor does it make any presentations during the event. The company’s new Head of Direct Debit Management Services, Michael Swan, said: “This is my first year of attending this event. Supporting golf clubs is incredibly important to Premium Credit and it is our pleasure to sponsor the GCMA.”
Michael also detailed that he has worked and golfed in countries all over the world, and recounted a story in Mexico, when he hit a drive, but the ball disappeared into a “thick, sulphuric atmosphere after 200 yards.” “Much like in Birmingham,” shouted one manager from the audience.
GCMA National Captain Mike Hoare also praised the tournament organisation and the company’s association with the GCMA: “Premium Credit looked after us at the Fairway Credit Final as well as they look after clubs in general – with an incredible attention to detail. Great partnerships are a great strength, and they have been terrific sponsors of the GCMA for at least 12 years.”