Fifteen teams including well over 30 of our Coventry City Former Players (FPs) and Associate Members enjoyed a great day’s golfing and reminiscing at the Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club last Thursday (09 June 2011) as the Coventry City Former Players Association celebrated its 5th Annual ‘Golf Day 2011’
“The weather remained fair until the final ball was hit when the rain started to come down. A fabulous meal was supplied by the catering staff in the evening. The Former Players (FPs) were given a Coventry City ball marker, though Micky Gynn didn’t get his until after the round had finished, prompting him to ask ‘what use is to me now’? CCFPA’s Billy Bell retorted that the marker must have been delivered by second class post!!!
The day began with bacon sandwiches and coffee as all the teams and individual FPs arrived and began preparing for the day - prompting many a story exchanged about days at Coventry City and other clubs” (Bob could possibly write a book, but may have to change a few names!!!!). “There was a really genuine and warm feeling around the room”.
“The teams tee’d off from 12:00, Trevor Peake struggled early on hitting his first shot into the water, while the rest of his team hit around 250 yards! On the same tee later Tommy Hutchison (left) hit a cracking shot claiming that it had gone further than a lot of people go on holiday!”
The winners of the prize categories are reproduced below. Paul Culpin (right) took Kevin Gallacher‘s individual crown won last year.
The Results
Individual Winners:
Former Player Winner:- Paul Culpin
Guest Player Winner:- Damian Shaw (G-Casino)
Team Prizes
Winners:- Coventry City FP’s Team (Cyrille Regis, Micky Gynn, Paul Culpin and Johnny Reay)
Second Place:- Coventry Plumbing and Heating (David Phillips, Danny Acton, Quent Carruthers and Paul Marshall)
Third Place:- G Casino (Andy Blair, Andy Smith, Mike Thornton and Damian Shaw)
Nearest the pin
9th Hole:- Tom Price (Coventry Plumbing and Heating)
15th Hole:- Ken Sharples (Holbrooke Motors)
Longest Drive
3rd Hole:- Scott Joyce (Scott Joyce Team)
16th Hole:- Tom Price (Coventry Plumbing and Heating)
The half way house drinks and food buggy went down well. Many thanks to Cecilia McKissock and Maggie Thomson for their help and for their successful sale of raffle tickets during the day. The team photographs and many action shots from the day were displayed in the room during the evening, which many decided to purchase. Our thanks go the Association’s friend and ‘official photographer’ Tony Thomas for his dedication to supporting our functions with his photographic skills.
After the golf everyone mingled with more stories coming out (for the book) before the formalities of the evening, CCFPA’s Billy Bell, the MC, opened proceedings thanking everyone for their support to the association and than asked our President Kirk Stephens to say a few words. Then our Chairman Jim Brown, as is traditional, introduced all of the FPs in turn followed, reminded the assembly of the aims of the Association and also thanked all of the teams and sponsors for their help in making the day a success. Jim also thanked the Committee (especially Bob Eales, Billy Bell and Frank Pritchard) for voluntarily giving up much time and hard work in organising the event
Joe Elliott, our honorary Life Vice President and his wife Grace attended the event. Joe, a great supporter of all our activities spoke in support of the Association and thanked everyone who attends all of CCFPA’s functions. He emphasised that the members of the Former Players’ Association are integral to the history of the club and that it was great that they attend the games and support such functions as the Golf Day”.
CCFPA’s particular thanks go to the G Casino (especially Quentin Kozma and Paul Davies) for sponsoring the event and for being our main sponsors for the forthcoming year. Also thanks are due to our Prize table sponsors Ping, Coventry City Football Club and Buildbase and, of course, to all of the teams that entered including Mick Penny, Penmans Solicitors, Coventry Plumbing and Heating, Scott Joyce and Holbrooke Motors.
Special thanks also are owed to Johnny Reay, Linda and the rest of the team at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Course and finally great respect to Joe and Grace Elliott and of course all of our Former Players!
Many stayed late into the evening including Claus Jorgensen who on his first visit for a golf day could not believe how friendly the atmosphere is and even though he was not a playing contemporary of any other FPs was bowled over by how welcoming everyone was to him. ”
Report by Bob Eales.
For more information on the Coventry City Former Players Association, please click on http://www.ccfpa.co.uk.