Fifteen teams of keen golfers enjoyed a military themed golf day experience at Fairmont, St Andrews on Thursday 31 August, who have raised an incredible £1500 in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.
Captain Seath, who tragically died running the 2016 Virgin London Marathon, served in Afghanistan and the Middle East with 19th Regiment Royal Artillery and 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery respectively.
The funds raised from the golf day will be used to provide financial support, through the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, to personnel and veterans of the British Armed Forces living with life-changing physical and psychological trauma as a result of service.
The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund worked in partnership with 105 Regiment Royal Artillery to deliver a golf day with a difference, who set up a range of military themed competition holes on the course, a respirator pitching challenge and a 105mm Light Gun shotgun start.
Gary Seath, Founder of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, describes the reasons behind organising the event:
“For David, golf was a sport he had taken up in recent times and I remember many sessions at the driving range where golf balls would regularly ricochet off the walls and roof. However, he was improving and keen to apply what he had learned onto the course. Golf is also very popular within the Armed Forces and, because of David’s career in the Royal Artillery, it made perfect sense to team up with 105 Regiment RA to provide a special, memorable golf day experience for everyone concerned.
Upon arrival at Fairmont St Andrews, our teams enjoyed a hearty breakfast before taking to the practice range to work on technical aspects with the resident PGA professional. Players were also invited to apply an army respirator for a pitching competition from the clubhouse to the 16th green, which attracts considerable interest and intrigue in equal measures.
Once preparations were completed, teams were piped our by a drummer and piper from 19th Regiment Royal Artillery for a team stableford competition on the Kittocks Course bathed in glorious late summer sunshine. As the conditions were so perfectly set and conducive to high scoring, many of the competing teams achieved the opportunity to post impressive final scores.
Following a keenly contested competition on the Kittocks Course, teams enjoyed the opportunity to reflect and share their experiences over a sumptuous two course dinner and free beer, courtesy of our official beer sponsor Loch Leven Brewery, in the Fairmont Clubhouse which provided stunning, panoramic views of the St Andrews coastline.
The presentation ceremony was presided by over by David Tanner whose humour and quick wit provided much hilarity and colour to proceedings. Prior to the announcement of the winners, Gary Seath provided an address describing the work of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund and Nick Rose, a close friend of David’s who recently completed the Reykjavik Marathon in support of the fund, said a few words of thanks on behalf of the attendees.
The winning team ‘The Illustrious Foresome’ were announced as the victors with a total score of 88 points, who narrowly pipped a number of rivals to the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund Golf Day trophy.
Paul Chalmers, a member of the Illustrious Foursome team, said:
“Although I never knew David, I have known Gary for three or four years through our mutual love of cricket, which made the tragic events of April 2016 so much more poignant for me. Being a keen golfer, taking part in the Captain David Seath Memorial Golf Day was an obvious way to lend my support to the charity started in David’s name, and I was delighted that three of my ex-Servicemen colleagues from the QE Class Aircraft Carrier project in Rosyth so readily joined me – I was even more thrilled that we were able to see off stiff competition from some of the equally determined teams and secure the coveted ‘Claret Jug’.
“From the warm welcome on arrival to leaving the Clubhouse through the two 105mm Guns, the event was so very special, and a fitting tribute to someone that evidently loved the Army, the outdoors and sport. Everyone clearly had a wonderful day; even the wind dropped and the sun shone which, as those who play golf at The Fairmont St Andrews know only too well, is a rare treat. I can’t wait until next year to set about defending the trophy.”
Gary Seath concludes:
“I wish to thank everyone for attending our inaugural Captain David Seath Golf Day event at Fairmont St, Andrews and for raising an incredible amount of money, which will be used to support personnel and veterans living with life-changing physical and psychological wounds. We have also been overwhelmed by the positive feedback we have received by our golf teams, many of whom are keen to return next year.”