Inaugural Charity Golf Classic Raises Funds and Community Spirits

Northern Ireland business made its presence felt at the Inaugural Charity Golf Classic – organised by Bann Hire & Sales, SBM Contracts and JH Turkington & Sons, and held at Portadown Golf Club on Friday 29th August.

The owners of these three prominent Portadown businesses, Shane McCrory (Bann Hire & Sales Limited), Stuart Jameson (SBM Contracts) and Gary Turkington (JH Turkington and Sons) felt that the local area needed a stand-out, golfing event. The beneficiary of this year’s event is MacMillan Cancer Support. The event was well-supported from the get-go.

“We could have sold places to four-ball teams twice over, such was the demand,” said Shane McCrory, Managing Director, Bann Hire & Sales. “And next year we plan to do exactly that – with two shotgun starts,” he added.

The overall winners of this year’s event were from RODEng Consulting LLP, with Jordan Rochford taking part – showing everyone that it was not just the 2.0 Litre Hot Rod he has mastery off. The RODEng Consulting LLP boys beat the Lyness brothers, John McAlinden and Nick Thorpe into close second place, with the team from Ballylisk Car Sales making up top three once handicaps were taken into account.

“We wanted to really get people talking about the event and that’s one of the reasons that we brought Ballylisk on-board for the Hole in One competition,” said Stuart Jameson, Managing Director, SBM Contracts.

“Unfortunately none of the golfers on the day were successful with the Hole in One Challenge, so the brand new Haval goes back to Ballylisk Car Sales – for this year at least,” added Stuart.

Nearest the Pin (on 4th and 6th holes) was Peter McComisky and Chris Quinn and the Longest Drive (on the 16th hole) was won by Kerry McCloskey. But the event was more than prize winners and prizes. The overall event raised over £10,000 with donations still coming in.

“We just wanted to thank everyone who made the day happen,” said Gary Turkington, from JH Turkington & Sons. “From the golfers’ packed lunch, courtesy of Tesco and The Chalet, to the drinks trolley, courtesy of Andy Robinson, to the on course graphics, courtesy of AP Signs, to our sponsors on each hole and to my fellow business owners – Shane and Stuart, I just want to say ‘thanks.’”