Golf Competitions
ICKLESHAM CASUALS GOLF TOURNAMENT, CHRISTMAS GOLF, CHARITY GOLF AND THE CIDER CUP
ICKLESHAM CASUALS GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Weald of Kent Golf Course at Headcorn was the venue for the first Icklesham Casuals Golf Tournament on Wednesday, 30th July 2008 when Dan Marsh was the inaugural winner of the trophy from a field of 14 players. The Stableford competition was a great success and has been competed for on an annual basis since that date.
As well as the winners trophy, other individual prizes are on offer including ‘nearest the pin’ and longest drive awards. A ‘Golden Ball’ competition was included for several years to give a team element to the event.
CHRISTMAS GOLF EVENT
Following the success of the annual golf tournament, a Christmas Golf Event was started in 2009. A team competition played over nine holes and taking place just after Christmas, it not only provided an opportunity to meet up with fellow competitors but it was also good to get out for some fresh air and exercise after the Xmas festivities, although the weather hasn’t always been kind.
The first competition took place on the nine hole course at Horam Park Golf Course at the end of December when it was dry as the first ball was struck but the event finished in torrential rain and the greens under water – not enough to discourage players from competing again the following year.
The Covid 19 outbreak and national lockdowns made the organisation of the event difficult in recent years.
CHARITY GOLF
As part of the Club’s 75th anniversary season in 2011-12, a target was set to raise £7,500 to be divided between ten different charities. A number of different fundraising events were held during the year culminating in a golf challenge to play 75 holes in a day over two different courses – Sedlescombe Golf Club and the Weald of Kent Golf Course. Twelve players took part (with Stuart Baker caddying for George Potter for all 75 holes) with the initial tee-shot being struck at first light and the final putt holed as the daylight faded on what was a memorable day.
The 75 Holes-in-a-Day Charity Golf Challenge sewed the seed for further challenges. Firstly, 36 Holes-in-a-Day in 9 Different Counties in July 2014 and the most challenging of all at the end of June 2017 during the eightieth anniversary season – to play 80 holes in five countries in under forty hours to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The Club has also held charity golf days in 2017, 2019 and 2023.
THE CIDER CUP
The Cider Cup, the Icklesham Casuals version of the Ryder Cup, first took place on the 1st September 2017 at the Weald of Kent Golf Course.
It is a competition between the Club and the Dateline Golf Society, a society of former 1st team captain Steve Beale and is played over twenty seven holes comprising nine holes of foursomes, fourballs and singles.
The Dateline Golf Society won the inaugural event with Icklesham Casuals levelling up the score by taking the 2020 competition at the Wellshurst Golf and Country Club.
BOB BAKER
Bob Baker has been responsible for the organisation of every Icklesham Casuals Golf Tournament since 2008 and all those who have competed over the years owe a debt of gratitude to Bob for the hard work he has put in to make the competitions so enjoyable and successful. Bob also introduced the Christmas Golf Event and has played a major role in all the Club’s charity golf fundraising.