An introduction to memorial competitions

During the years since the inception of “Mowsbury Golf Club” in 1975, we have introduced numerous people to the game of golf, many having gone on to play elsewhere. This is of course their option, and we respect that.

It is because we have so many new members each year that much of the Club’s history over the past 40 years is only retained in the memories of our long standing Members. It is for that reason that these particular Competitions are being identified so that all Club Members may be aware of why these are not just ‘another competition’, but quite why they are so important to the Club and its history.

Notice to Members
As you will see from these notes; Mowsbury Golf Club supports many charities, not just the Captain’s Charity which is chosen by the current Club and Lady Captains, and which for 2018 is the charity Prostrate Cancer UK. We hope you will show your support by playing in as many of our Competitions as possible.

Alessandro Rizzi “Alex”
Alex started playing golf when he was just 8 years old and joined Mowsbury Golf Club in 1988. He was often to be seen playing golf with his father Mario, who was the Junior Organiser from 1989-93, and his elder brother Guiseppe, who was the Junior Club Champion for 4 years.

Alex’s size and age did not deter his competitive attitude, which was reflected in his better than average handicap. Most of the Members who knew him will remember his infectious smile that was always present, and his determination to win; he got immense pleasure from defeating his elders but was always as gracious in defeat as he was in winning.

Mowsbury Golf Club was Alex’s second home, if he was not on the golf course, he would be on the putting green, driving range or in the Lounge feeding himself. His main ambition was to emulate his brother and win the Junior Club Championship; this sadly was not to be, as Alex died tragically at the age of twelve and a half, in a road accident when cycling home from school in 1992.

The “Alex Rizzi Texas Scramble Trophy” was presented by Paula and Elgar Thompson and is played for in his memory.

We say “God bless you Alex, you will be sadly missed but never forgotten by those who knew you”.

Derek Ballam
Derek was another of our Juniors who achieved much in his short life; a pupil at Hastingbury Upper School, he joined Mowsbury Golf Club at the age of 16, and shortly after obtaining his handicap, he played with T. White in the Peter Beesley Trophy competition in 1990 and won.

Thereafter he continued his winning ways in medals and in Junior Competitions. His activities were not limited to golf alone; he also had a keen interest and ability at pool. When he turned 18, he continued his membership of the Golf Club, as a full Member and it seemed he would have a bright future as an amateur golfer, however fate was to deny him this, as he was struck down with Meningitis, and died tragically within hours in 1992.

His parents donated a Trophy in his memory, which is played for by the Juniors and the Ladies, the proceeds going to Meningitis UK, which was also chosen for 2012 as the Captains’ Charity.

Peter Beesley Memorial Trophy
Peter was employed by the Complex Golf Professional; Stuart Allsopp as one of his assistants, from 1976 until his untimely death in 1978, at the age of 20.

He was a very popular professional, yet friendly young man, with the knack of being able to get on with all members of the Golf Club and the General Public and was always in demand for his teaching ability.

Les Allan, a past Club Secretary and Life Member recalled Peter having a drink in the bar with fellow assistants and Members, when in conversation, Peter said that he was going on holiday at the weekend. When Les asked him where, he said Wadebridge in Cornwall. Les suggested he take some water-wings as we were aware that Peter was not renowned as a swimmer. That was the last time we saw Peter, he went on holiday, was playing football on the beach, when the ball went into the water he waded in to retrieve it and was swept out to sea and drowned.

Peter Beesley was the first person connected to Mowsbury Golf Club to die in tragic circumstances. The Club Captain at the time; Peter Harris, decided to put up a shield in his memory, to be called the “Peter Beesley Trophy”.

It was first played for in the season 1978-79, the competition being a betterball stableford, and was won by P. Joy and A. Burgon, and has been played each year since then. Peter’s father and his son-in-law have also played and presented the trophy to the winners. The proceeds of this competition go to the RNLI.

Les Rimmer
Les was a founder Member of Mowsbury Golf Club and served on the first General Committee of the Club as a Playing Member for at least 3 years; 1975-79.

Both he and his wife Hazel were Members and played in mixed competitions, retaining membership until Les died after a long fight against illness in 1989.

Les also served on the Social Committee for many years and took on the task of cleaning the trophies prior to the Mayor’s Charity Golf Days and the Men’s and Ladies Dinners, for which he has been sadly missed. Never an ostentatious man, Les however was always there to step in and do the job when required, and for that will be long remembered by those who were privileged to know him. The Club Captain; Richard Houghton put up the Les Rimmer Trophy in his memory, which is played for fittingly in a mixed competition.

Margaret Plumb
Margaret Plumb was the first Ladies Captain of Mowsbury Golf Club from 1975-76 and continued playing well into her eighties and was proud to have attained at one time an eighteen handicap.

During her membership of the Club she donated two trophies which are still played for each year: The Margaret Plumb Cup is a mixed scratch foursome, and the Margaret Plumb Trophy is usually a mixed Texas scramble.

Margaret sadly died on 20th April 1995, and her daughter Mrs. Judith Flint kindly donated the Ships Bell and Plaque which is mounted in the Bar Lounge, in memory of her mother. This is used by the Club as the “Captain’s Bell”.

Don Williamson
Don was the first Club Captain of Mowsbury Golf Club, and despite being surprised by his election to the position; he was happy to Captain the Club for the first 2 years of its existence 1975 and 1976.

Following Don’s death in 2006, his widow and son presented a Trophy to be played for in his memory by all sections of the Club; Ladies, Gents and Juniors.

Sue McCoy
Sue was a Past Lady Captain of Mowsbury Golf Club and took on many duties within the Club during her years as a Member. As a retired Head Teacher, Sue was eminently qualified to help out with the Juniors, as she did at both Club and County levels, and took the role of Club Child Protection Officer.

Sue’s death in 2006 was a great shock to the Club as a whole, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Darrell her husband (himself a Past Club Captain and elected Club President in 2013) proposed a Trophy that would commemorate all deceased Past Captains, to be played for by all Sections of the Golf Club; Ladies, Gents and Juniors. Darrell himself succumbed to Cancer and is also now commemorated by this trophy.

The Trophy is therefore the “Sue McCoy - Past Captains in Memoriam Trophy” and is played for during the month of October, the winner being the Member with the best nett score over all medals held during that month.

All proceeds raised from entry fees for each of these medals, go to Children in Need.

Captains who sadly have passed away and are commemorated by this trophy are: -

Don Williamson, Sue McCoy, Josie King, Wendy McCory, Margaret Plumb Anne Kidd, Barbara Smith, Darrell McCoy, Diane Morgan and Sheila Dixon.