Seckford Golf Club in Suffolk last night was awarded ‘Golf Club of the Year’ at the annual English Golf Union awards dinner held at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate. Broadcaster and presenter Clare Balding hosted the event with 400 invited guests in attendance in-person for the first time in four years. The awards are designed to recognise and reward individuals, teams, clubs and counties who have shone in the past year and made a positive contribution to the amateur game in this country.
There were 11 category winners announced each with their own special tale to tell. In nine of the 11 categories, nominations were made by the public and a panel of 39 judges comprising experts from the golf industry, the media and England Golf staff had the unenviable task of picking one winner in each section.
England Golf CEO, Jeremy Tomlinson, said: “It has been an honour and privilege to welcome everyone to the Hilton Manchester Deansgate to celebrate the exceptional contributions of so many wonderful people to golf in England. We received some fantastic nominations for clubs, volunteers and individuals across the country and we’d like to congratulate all of our finalists, and of course, our winners.”
“I would also like to extend my thanks to our wonderful host Clare Balding, whose warmth and enthusiasm radiated throughout the evening.”
Speaking after the event, Clare Balding said: “As a passionate golfer and someone who loves to play regularly, it was an absolute dream for me to host the England Golf Awards 2023. I had such a fantastic time hosting and huge congratulations to all our finalists and our winners. They are truly the people who make the game so enjoyable for players up and down the country.”
Tony Pennock, general manager of Seckford Golf Club who won the coveted ‘Golf Club of the Year’ award added: “Little clubs like us don’t win prizes like this, and I am so incredibly proud of my team and humbled at the same time.”
Seckford won the award due to their work locally in Suffolk helping people affected by dementia rediscover the sport — and themselves — at monthly meetings hosted, for free, at the club. “I’ve been so passionate about raising awareness of dementia, and I can’t thank my team here at Seckford enough,” added Pennock. “We have such a tiny, but strong team all pulling in the same direction, and this award is testament to everyone’s hard work, endeavour and generosity in helping to raise awareness of dementia.”
