Golfing challenge gets off to a tee

BUILDERS, bricklayers, decorators and hairdressers were among the players aiming to prove they were ‘on par’ during a charity golfing competition.
Representatives from almost 50 businesses battled it out in the Skills Group Golfing Challenge, held in two stages at Elfordleigh Hotel Golf and Country Club in Plympton.
Competitors were also invited to test their style and swing against PGA golfing professional Paul Jordan in a charity challenge.
Employers taking part were from Plymouth and across Devon and Cornwall. Each firm provides placements for youngsters on apprenticeship programmes with Plymouth-based training provider Skills Group.
Winners and runners of up of each heat will go on to take part in the players’ championship at the world-class Belfry golf course – four times host of the Ryder Cup - at the West Midlands in October.
Winners at July’s heat were Andy Prideaux and Kevin Williams from Hallwell Projects, and runners up were Marc Sowden and Garry Wellington from AC Brickworks. Meanwhile, the
‘Nearest the Pin’ prize was won by Adrian Bleasdale, from Adrian Bleasdale Bricklaying, and ‘Longest Drive’ by Phil Aston from Aston Energy.

A beat-the-pro competition involved competitors trying to putt the ball in less shots than PGA Head Professional Paul Jordan and helped raise £305 for Cancer Research. Successful players were - Adrian Bleasdale from Adrian Bleasdale Bricklaying, Garth Williams Jnr from G G Williams, Thomas May from S Belton Decorators and Dennis Belton from Belton Developments.

Winners in June’s heat were Scott Jones and Paul Daniels from Keith Elliott Construction, with the runners-up Dave Butson and Martin Redmond from Dave Butson Bricklaying. ‘Nearest the Pin’ was won by Max Strelling from Barton Wykes and the prize for ‘Longest Drive’ was won by Scott Jones from Keith Elliott Construction.

Mark Boulting, managing director of Skills Group, said: “Our annual events are a great way to say thank you to our employers for their continued support throughout the year. Employers also get the opportunity to network with a range of other businesses from across the South West.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to joining the winners at The Belfry for the Skills Group Players’ Championships in October.”

Skills Group invites its clients to numerous events throughout the year including golf days, networking and recruitment events as well as its annual ball.
Companies which took part in the golfing event were: Nordic Installations, Hallwell Projects, Peter Andrews Windows, RF Building and Maintenance, W K Developments, MNM Builders, Belton Developments, S Belton Decorators, Pichler Ltd, GMC Projects, Aston Energy, Adrian Bleasdale Bricklaying, Town and Sons, Lee Julian Bricklaying, Lapthorne & Kiely Building & Roofing, Lee Wickett Painting and Decorating, Dan Short Brickworks, Steven Mackie Bricklaying, REB Southwest, Storm Force, Arundel Decorators, Total Design, G D Andrew General Builders, Spencers Hair, Classic Builders, G G Williams, First Bus, Mansbridge & Balment, A C Brickwork, Keith Elliott Construction, Dave Butson Bricklaying, Barton Wykes, Michael Terry Bricklaying, JH Lidstone, Lang and Potter, ADS Windows, K J Carpets, Trevor Nelder Building Contractor, Westcountry Brickworks, AJ Motors, Dean Wood Plastering, Mark White Construction, Phil Evans Construction, Stadium Garage, KCC Builders, Sean Foley and Westhoe Garage.