The fifth annual West Country 100 Golf Day at Exeter Golf and Country Club was organised by the West Country 100 (WC 100) group, made up of business leaders across the South West committed to raising funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Professional British golfer Paul Way and our Patron General Sir Gordon Messenger KCB DSO* OBE DL joined 120 businesspeople ‘swinging easy’ in support of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
The fifth annual West Country 100 Golf Day at Exeter Golf and Country Club was organised by the West Country 100 (WC 100) group, made up of business leaders across the South West committed to raising funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
The WC 100’s purpose is to help Royal Marines transition into alternative employment after leaving the Corps, often due to injury. Members raise around £75,000 for the charity each year.
This year, the friendly philanthropic golf competition took place on Thursday 2 June and marked Commando 80 – the 80th anniversary of the Royal Marines taking the Commando role.
Professional British golfer Paul Way, was at the final tee to greet the players and challenge them to a ‘longest drive’ competition, and Sir Gordon took part with fellow former Royal Marines and friends.
Former Brigadier Paul Denning OBE, director of the WC 100 and Royal Marines Association trustee, said: “When I get phone calls asking for support, I go to the network and someone is always willing to help. The group is making a real difference to people’s lives.
“We’re always recruiting new members, anyone who wants to help is a potential member, both individuals and businesses, who join us for different durations.
“The Royal Marines are synonymous with the South West, with the majority of bases here, and although the vast majority of members don’t have an affiliation with the Royal Marines, they all recognise the sacrifice they make and want to support them.
“We give our members something back too, with events like the Golf Day, a charity dinner and a cocktail party, throughout the year.”
Brigadier Paul Denning OBE
Teams of two, made up of WC 100 members as well as serving and former Royal Marines, played throughout the day, with teams travelling to Exeter from afar afield as Essex and Kent. A plethora of businesses sponsored the event including headline sponsor, Dennis Hall, founder of Yellowtail Financial Planning.
Keith Bolden, former president of Exeter Golf and Country Club who organised the inaugural event and has been an avid supporter ever since, said: “The sacrifices that Royal Marines make, particularly in today’s challenges, is really quite incredible. The event has grown and grown over the years.”
Funds are being raised via the WC 100 JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/westcountry100