For those of you with kids, you will all have been exposed to your school’s PTA, the ‘Parent Teacher Association’ who organise events for the benefit of the school. PTA’s are important because they try to bridge the gap between what the local authority actually pays to run the school and what it really needs to give the kids the best educational experience possible. Our PTA has paid for iPads, leavers parties and all-weather sports pitches so we are lucky to have a dedicated group of parents who organise things and a wider group of parents willing to support the events.
If your school is anything like the ones my kids go to then you’ll understand there is a very strong ‘female lead’ with PTA’s and you find yourself attending events which aren’t really that interesting for ‘the fellas.’ The annual ‘stampede of high heels’ to organise quiz nights, summer and Christmas fayres, balls and a ‘PTA stand’ for every festival possible can leave the average dad feeling a bit left out. So, to help redress the balance, I decided to run a golf day. This started 5 or 6 years ago now and it’s turned into permanent fixture in the school calendar. So much so, we run 2 events…one in summer and another (a gentler one) in October before the season ends. We even have our own ‘hashtag’ which is #playlikealegend
On Course
The format is Headmaster vs Deputy head. You play as a pair and if you win your match, you win 1 point for your team so it’s a bit like the Ryder Cup…but with variations to help the higher handicapped players. We try very hard to make it enjoyable for everyone, not just the ones who smash the ball 300 yards and make it look easy. There are always on course competitions, a tequila hole and prizes but the main event is ‘player fines’ after dinner. Fines are typically incurred for 2 shots in a bunker (The Adolf Hitler fine) poor on course etiquette (like leaving clubs on greens) and pretty much anything else we can think of on the day. Go to www.gorseygolf.co.uk for all the details
Drive for Show, Putt for PTA Dough
To date, we’ve raised c.£35,000 which is a wonderful effort from those who play, and those who sponsor a hole. We are hoping to nudge the running total towards £45,000 this year. Its only £200 to sponsor a hole and you can sponsor as many as you like so if you feel that this is a worthy cause, please get in touch. The sponsor list does have a heavy property bias so any property based sponsors will be amongst friends. Equally, if you want to play then again, get in touch. The venue is Prestbury Golf club in Cheshire which is a top 100 English club and designed by Harry Colt (who did Sunningdale amongst others.) It’s quite expensive to play if you’re not with a member. So, if you’re into golf and want to play at society rates then this is the best way of getting on this exceptional course. It’s certainly a challenge, always in excellent condition and often recognised as the best in Chester East.
And finally, whilst its open to lady golfers, there usually a distinct lack of high heels at this event which is something we’re keen to change. If you’re a lady golfer and fancy this, we’d love to hear from you…
