The Derby Cup is the premier competition run by the East Lancashire Masonic Golf Society. Although all masons can play, it can only be won by an East Lancashire Mason.
After a false start, with Bramall Park Golf Club under water on the scheduled date of 31 July, the competition was played on 12 August. The late change to the date resulted in the reduction of the number of competitors from 39 to 29.
Light rain was falling as the first players teed off at 1.30 but this soon changed to warm dry conditions for most of the competitors.
After the golf and dinner, the Captain of Bramall Park Golf Club, John Sullivan, welcomed all present and said he was pleased to have received so many positive comments from those who had played. He also congratulated the green staff for the condition of the course, given the exceptionally wet weather it had suffered.
Martin Caller PastAPGM, standing in for the Society’s Chairman Malcolm Worsley, thanked Michael Bartle, Secretary, and Richard Zoltie, Treasurer, for their hard work in organising this year’s competition.
Martin then announced the winner of the Derby Cup, on a card play-off, as WBro Peter Tonge of Zetland Lodge No 852. 2ndwas WBro Jonathan Brownson and in 3rdplace was WBro Gordon Cox.
The cup will be formally presented by RWBro Sir David Trippier, the President of the Society, to WBro Tonge and the Lodge’s WM at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on the 21stNovember 2019.
Report and pictures by Richard Zoltie
Martin Caller, Peter Tonge, John Sullivan – Captain of Bramall Park Golf Club
Martin Caller, Jonathan Brownson, Peter Tonge, John Sullivan – Captain of Bramall Park Golf Club, Gordon Cox