Cowdray Park Golf Club’s staging of the inaugural Barbuda Cup succeeded in raising close to £18,000 for the relief effort following the hurricane that hit the Caribbean island last autumn.
The event at the West Sussex venue, which was hosted by former West Indian cricket captain Sir Richie Richardson, saw 72 players take part in a golf tournament and 160 people attend a Caribbean BBQ held in the evening, with all funds raised being presented to provide materials to help Barbuda rebuild following Hurricane Irma.
The day was attended by Antigua & Barbuda High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill and head of tourism Cherrie Osborne, along with a smattering of local sporting celebrities, including former footballers Guy Butters, Jason Dodd and Kerry Mayo, while there was also a good turnout from many of the south region’s PGA Professionals, including Maria Tulley, Adam Harnett, Kevin Garwood, George Hannah, Steve Hall, Obi Ayton and Craig Gardene.
There was a guest appearance by comedian Mike Osman, who did a star turn as Donald Trump, arriving in full character being driven down the course in a golf buggy with flowing ‘Stars and Stripes’ flags and the presidential ‘Hail to the Chief’ being blared out across the Rother Valley.
The half-way hut had a distinctly Caribbean feel, with Guildford-based Komo Cocktails hosting a Rum Shack that was enjoyed by all the competitors – especially as the course’s set up required players to stop by three times during the round, which added to the party atmosphere on the day.
The prizes were hard fought, with the nearest-the-pins going to team NGD, Matt Hills and Craig Gardner, while the longest drive was won by Chris Edwards.
Steve Tytler from The Barbuda Cup’s main sponsor, Turrem Data Group, said: “Barbuda is a small island in paradise that is in trouble, and if paradise is broken, we need to help rebuild it. With 72 players throwing themselves into the day, and families joining for the BBQ afterwards to support our auction, we have raised close to £18,000. Although there was much laughter on the day, the High Commissioner and Sir Richie were able to purvey the serious situation and we are thankful to everyone, players, sponsor, helper that made the day such a success.”