By Henry Bojdys
Dhekelia Joint Services Golf Club Captain Si Ellis decided to lead from the front when he decided to hold his Captain’s Fund Raiser recently.
After a bit of research Si chose the Dhekelia Youth Club and the Dhekelia junior rugby club run by Lt Col Pat Burns, the Dhekelia Garrison Commander, as beneficiaries for any money raised.
That was the easy part; the question main was, would the golfers turn out for such a cause? Si needn’t have worried. On a cold, blustery January day with alternate wind, sun and heavy bone chilling showers, 64 registered for the fiendishly complicated Captain’s Fund Raiser.
Formatted so that brain as well as golf skills were required, the unsuspecting golfers had to play 10 holes as a four-ball’ better-ball, four holes as a greensome and the last holes as foursomes.
Around the course after the ‘shotgun’ start, golfers could be seen standing behind the greens scratching their heads filling in their cards. Tee-side briefings at each hole were common as competitors worked out who got strokes where and how points would be allocated to avoid mistakes on the scorecard - mistakes meant fines and more money for the causes.
The generous golfers also brought over 50 prizes for the post-match, prize-giving raffle. In the event, those who survived the course, some retired early and had to ‘donate’ a fine were; raised €505.65 for Dhekelia’s youngsters.
The competition winners taking first place on count back on 36 points were Jim Livie and Jim Smart, second also on 36 points were Gunther Schulter and Monika Thoernstroem and chasing them into third place were George Colville and Nicki Bevan on 34.
Dhekelia’s Commander Lt Col Pat Burns presented the prizes and kicked off the raffle that eventually contributed over €300 in its own right; the remainder came from entry fees, fines and some private donations.