Golfers ‘putt’ in their all for Hospiscare

50 teams of keen golfers were greeted by glorious sunshine at the ninth annual Hospiscare Golf Day on 11 July.

Playing to take home the Marnie Burgoyne Memorial Trophy, the first team teed off on the 18 hole course at Exeter Golf and Country Club at 8.45am, and a steady flow of teams followed until the final team finished at 7.30pm.

The teams followed their time on the green with a two-course carvery before a raffle was drawn and the winners were announced.

Hospiscare Fundraising Secretary Susie Healey said: “It’s been such a great day. We’re so pleased to have had 50 teams sign up, and to see the familiar faces who come and take part in this wonderful event every year is just fantastic.”

The much-loved amateur tournament has raised more than £90,000 since it began and after raising more than £10,000 this year alone, the event’s organisers are hoping to reach the £100k mark when they celebrate the event’s tenth anniversary in 2014.

Held in memory of Marnie Burgoyne; one of Hospiscare’s first fundraiser’s who died at the Exeter hospice in 2000, the golf day has become one of the highlights of the Hospiscare calendar smoothly run with the support and hard work of the Golf Day Committee, as well as event sponsors Exeter Estate Agents, Burgoynes.

Susie said: “The golf committee work so hard to put on this event and the support we get from Burgoynes Estate Agents and the people who sponsor holes and donate raffle prizes is tremendous. It’s a really fun day and when it’s beautiful sunshine like it has been today, what more could you ask for?”.

!5 team prizes were won on the day and Estate Agent John Burgoyne presented the Marnie Burgoyne Trophy to event winners ‘Team Acorus’, who have taken part in the tournament for many years.

John said: “It’s such a lovely day; you can see when the players return to the clubhouse how much they enjoy the golf and the whole atmosphere of the event. There’s a willingness to be here supporting such an important charity.

“So many people are in need of Hospiscare and I think that’s recognised even if you haven’t been affected directly, probably indirectly you’re aware of someone who has benefitted from this service.”