The annual Essex Cricket Golf Day took place last Thursday with players joining sponsors and partners on the beautiful course at Benton Hall Golf & Country Club.
The playing conditions were ideal and, for the most part, the standard of golf lived up to the occasion.
Taking part were Club Captain Tom Westley, Simon Harmer, Ryan ten Doeschate, Jamie Porter, Sam Cook, Paul Walter and Michael Pepper. The mind-games amongst the players started well in advance of the 1pm tee-off time as it soon became clear that they weren’t prepared to give each other an inch.
The team from Club Partners Tiptree prevailed on the day, with their team including all-rounder Paul Walter. An honourable mention must go to the Greene King team who finished in a close second.
Greene King didn’t have to wait long for an award, however, as Dave Williamson won Nearest to the Pin.
The Longest Drive award was a foregone conclusion from the first shot of the day when Simon Harmer, teamed with Cloudfm’s Jeff Dewing, launched into a monstrous tee shot from the 10th.
After much speculation as to which of the cricketers is the best around a golf course, Jamie Porter put together an excellent round to take the award of Best Individual. His performance was no doubt stoked by teammates of past and present, Peter Siddle, Jimmy Neesham and Dan Lawrence calling his golfing ability into question and giving him the nickname, ‘Shanky’.
For the first time, the Golf Day was sponsored by Integral Sports Management and we’d like to thank them for their support both before and during the day. Sky Sports Journalist and Media & Communications Consultant for Integral Sports Management, Bianca Westwood was present on the day to show her support and catch up with the players and Club Ambassador, Graham Gooch.
