LES AND TREVOR AWARDED LIFE VICE PRESIDENCY

SUGC has recently appointed two new Life Vice Presidents to its roll of honour for exceptional services to the County game. First was Les Williams of Calderfields Golf Club. Les has been a tireless servant to Calderfields and the Union. As club treasurer for 24 years, Les has been integral to the development of Calderfields and as SUGC Membership Scheme Treasurer for 25 years, he has become incredibly well known around the County for his hard work and dedication to the game.

Trevor has had a stellar career in golf. 2 times winner of the British Amateur Championship, Walker Cup, St Andrew Trophy and Eisenhower Trophy player, multiple England Caps and perhaps most significantly, highest placed amateur at the Masters, Trevor has had a golf career that most could only dream of. Trevor also played a key role in several Staffordshire County teams and has been a lifelong supporter of the work of the Union.

Pictured with outgoing President, Michael Entecott, SUGC are delighted to have Trevor and Les as Life Vice Presidents and offer full thanks for their dedication to the County.

MAPPY’S MEMORIAL PROSTATE CANCER GOLF DAY

The end of the year is always a special time at Whiston Hall, with the ‘Mappy’s Memorial Prostate Cancer Golf Day’ in memory of former town Mayor, Ian Whitehouse. All proceeds made on the day are donated to Ian’s favourite charity, Prostate Cancer U.K.

This year’s annual event saw ten fourball teams competing in a shotgun start Stableford competition at Whiston Hall Golf Club. Despite the torrential rain the set up of the course was fantastic, with greens holding their speed, despite the weather.

The resilience of the competitors over the years has been remarkable, playing in all the weather conditions that you come to expect in December. The day started with bacon baps, tea and coffee before the teams headed to the respective starting holes. The players were welcomed back into the clubhouse with chicken curry, and the opportunity to dry off! The weather meant the putting competition had to be moved indoors but proved to be great fun nonetheless.

The day was possible due to the generosity of hosts Whiston Hall Golf Club and B&L Electrical services, who donated all the trophies. A final thanks must go to all the competitors for their continued support.

Congratulations to winners M. Smith, S. Hallam, P. Bould and K. Leese.

Report by Ken Horleston – Whiston Hall.

UNSUNG HERO - GEOFFREY CONWAY MARKS OBE (1938-2016)

Geoffrey Marks OBE was the most successful golfer in the history of the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs. Throughout his career as a player, captain and administrator, he was a wonderful and respected ambassador for Staffordshire.

His life in golf started when he was about ten years old caddying for his grandfather at Trentham Park. After a few years of playing, he caught the eye of some members of the County who played at Trentham and was encouraged to join them there. This was the start of a long career in amateur golf for Staffordshire, England and Great Britain.

He won the Staffordshire Boy’s Championship in 1955 and was asked to play in, and captain, the England Boys against Scotland in 1956. In 1957 to 1959 he was selected to play for England Youths. Among many other achievements, between 1959 and 1973 he won the Staffordshire Amateur Championship eight times, equalling Charlie Stowe’s record, and during his playing career he represented Staffordshire 261 times. He captained Staffordshire from 1975 to 1977 and as playing captain in 1975 led Staffordshire to victory in the English County Finals at Brancepeth Castle, County Durham. In the early 1960’s he played for England as a full international and during a span of more than 10 years he played sixty-five times.

In 1969 and 1971 he was selected to play in the Walker Cup notably in the winning side in 1971 at St Andrews. In 1968 and 1970 he played for GB&I in the St Andrew’s Trophy match against the Continent of Europe and in 1970 played in the World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Madrid. Following the conclusion of his playing career he was appointed England Captain and between 1980–1983 led the team to victory in the Home Internationals and the European Team Championships.

From 1987-1990 he was appointed captain of GB&I and in 1989 led the team to victory in the Walker Cup match at Peachtree, Atlanta, USA, the first time that GB&I had won on US soil. During the same period Geoff also captained GB&I to win the Eisenhower Trophy in Stockholm, Sweden.

In 1995 he was appointed President of the English Golf Union and for the next ten years served on many R&A committees. In 2000, he was appointed President of the SUGC and in all served on the Executive Committee for over forty years. Despite his time consuming, international playing and governance commitments, Geoff remained a devoted supporter of Staffordshire Golf and in 2008 he was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to golf.

Geoffrey Marks was a true gentleman of golf, supremely talented, who played at the very highest level. He was a great team man and a fine leader. He was modest, kind and unassuming and never forgot his roots in Staffordshire Golf.