Barnard Castle Golf Club
HISTORY was made last week as the club hosted a Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) corporate day for the first time.
The air ambulance service only hosts one such event each year and it was through the club’s lady captain Janet Graham that it was decided to stage the event in Teesdale.
She has already raised almost £2,000 for the life-saving service, which is her chosen charity during her tenure.
She said: “I think it is one of those charities that you never know when you might need them, especially in a rural area. I know of people whose lives have been saved by the air ambulance.”
The former head of maths at Teesdale School added that it was through her fundraising efforts that the air ambulance asked if Barnard Castle would be interested in hosting the annual golf day.
The club committee then agreed to host it.
Ms Graham said: “It is the first time we have done something like this so it has been a learning curve.”
The day began with a corporate breakfast for the 80 golfers taking part, followed by a shotgun start which saw each four ball tee off from different holes at the same time.
GNAAS events co-ordinator Ruth Davy said: “Janet has been supporting us so we thought why not do our corporate day here – it is a beautiful course. All of our refreshments have been sponsored by local businesses and we have had a lot of support.
“We have McFarlane’s Family Butchers, Peat’s Butchers and the Co-op and Morrisons. Other businesses have given us raffle prizes. We are very grateful.”
Several golf club members also gave up their time to ensure the day was a success, including half-way house angels Doreen Braithwaite and Maureen Raw who dished out refreshments, including Ms Raw’s home-baked cheese scones.
