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Community Golf Day generates £7,000 for great range of causes!
The stunning vistas of Royal Blackheath Golf Club provided the backdrop for the inaugural Annual Brun Bear Foundation Golf Day in June. Teams representing a mix of maritime, offshore, and other businesses competed and completed the breathtaking par 71 course, mixed and mingled at the rum tasting, took in the storied history of the UK's oldest golf course by way of a VIP museum tour, enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal, and bid enthusiastically in the evening's lively and spirited auction!
Cross industry support
Aderco, Bureau Veritas, Blue Communications, Deep Blue Shipping, FINALLY Agency, Hybrid Legal, Korean Register, L&R Bricklayers, Navig8 Group, Neptune P2P Group, Red Penguin Marine, Rivertrace/Solarsolve, Riviera Maritime Media, Shipergy, and Webflow Partner Agency all fielded players who made their way around the celebrated course, renowned for its excellent fairways, well-positioned bunkers, and testing slope rating of 128 when played from the back tees. For added interest, there were also nearest the pin and longest drive challenges along the way.
Players line up at the first tee. Scores varied but all were unanimous: fantastic course, fantastic day
"The choice of such a prestigious venue certainly makes the golf day an attractive proposition for keen golfers. It was a really fun day. A great experience." Scott Herring, Aderco
Echoing the views of all who took part, Aderco's Scott Herring said the golf was thoroughly enjoyable. "The choice of such a prestigious venue certainly makes the golf day an attractive proposition for keen golfers. It was a really fun day. A great experience."
Following the golf, the programme and attendance expanded as golfers were joined by non-golfers and invited to enjoy learning about—and most importantly, sample—Kromanti rum, courtesy of co-founder Danielle David, as well as tour Royal Blackheath's on-site museum. "It was so well-organised, well done everyone," said Deep Blue Shipping's Ray Walsh. "The atmosphere during the rum tasting was really nice. I see us supporting you again next year."
"It was so well-organised, well done everyone," said Deep Blue Shipping's Ray Walsh. "The atmosphere during the rum tasting was really nice. I see us supporting you again next year."
Something for everyone
"The experience was excellent," agreed Soumaya Graine, who, along with her husband Hakim, joined the museum tour and evening activities. "The work the Brun Bear Foundation does to support the community and other charities is truly impressive. I appreciated the fact that even non-golfers could attend and enjoy the event."
There was plenty for the non-golfer including VIP museum tours and Kromanti rum tasting
"The experience was excellent. The work the Brun Bear Foundation does to support the community and other charities is truly impressive. I appreciated the fact that even non-golfers could attend and enjoy the event."
The merriment continued late into the evening as guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal in the hallowed dining room of the UK's oldest golf club. Guests included representatives from two of the causes benefiting from the day: The OSCAR Campaign and One Hand One Dream.
Spinnaker Chairman and founder of the OSCAR Campaign Phil Parry gave a moving speech. The OSCAR Campaign is one of the beneficiaries of this year's golf day
Spinnaker Chairman and founder of the OSCAR Campaign Phil Parry gave a moving speech on the awe-inspiring work of the campaign and also detailed the long and productive relationship between OSCAR and The Brun Bear Foundation. One Hand One Dream donated a Champagne Cruise on the Thames for auction, with proceeds going to support Harry's dream. Other auction items included assorted sporting memorabilia, days out, a donated case of Kromanti Rum, and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label donated by Sanmar Group's Ruchan and Vimmal Choi. Special thanks also go to the evening's guest auctioneers Bureau Veritas' Fred Hardy, Spinnaker's Phil Parry, and Kromanti's Danielle David. A special mention also for Riviera's Steve Labdon who patiently and painstakingly calculating the scores and provided valued support before, during, and after the day.
Golfing accolades
"We all really, really enjoyed it; great venue, great golf - albeit not from us - and of course great company!" Team Captain Nick Blythe, Blue Communications
There was also time to celebrate the day's golfing achievements. The longest drive was won by Toby Labdon while nearest the pin was picked up by Hybrid Legal's Ryan Lisk. The best team of the day was Rivertrace. On collecting the team award, Team Captain Martin Saunders said it has been "a fantastic day. Put us down for next year!" Each recipient picked up a specially commissioned Brun Bear Foundation Trophy and pack of golf balls.
From left to right: Winner of the longest drive Toby Labdon (Riviera); nearest the pin Ryan Lisk (Hybrid Legal) and winning team Rivertrace. Also pictured Riviera's Steve Labdon (white shirt) who gave tremendous support before, during and after the golf day
In keeping with the idea that it's not just the winning but the taking part, the team with the day's lowest score was also acknowledged. This accolade went to the team from Blue Communications. Team Captain Nick Blythe said: "We all really, really enjoyed it; great venue, great golf - albeit not from us - and of course great company! You should be extremely proud of everything you have achieved. And I am sure your Dad would be too. Please count us in for next year and I will make sure we bring our A game to the wonderful course."
Team Blue Communications: Lowest score but highest praise for the company, the course, the day and what it represents. Captain Nick Blythe (left); Alisdair Pettigrew (centre) and Mark Stokes
Reflecting on the day, Ben Henderson said, "It was an excellent day and very well run. We were warmly greeted and made to feel very comfortable from the very beginning. Keep doing what you are doing!" Jonathan Carr said, "Thank you for organising such a great event! I've already pencilled in next year!" Bradley Rowe agreed: "A great and enjoyable day! while Korean Register's Mr. Bong-Chan Ko said the day had been "very enjoyable," and he looked forward to returning in 2024.
An amazing effort
"Thanks to the incredible and truly humbling support from our participants, sponsors, and volunteers, our charity golf day has raised an amazing £7,000," says founder of The Brun Bear Foundation Edwin Lampert. "The unwavering enthusiasm and generosity of our participants and sponsors has driven us towards this remarkable achievement. The proceeds will be put to good use and will have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others, whether locally, globally or in the animal kingdom."
The Annual Brun Bear Foundation Golf Day 2024
The Annual Brun Bear Foundation Golf Day returns to Royal Blackheath Golf Club on Friday, June 21, 2024. Early Bird Tickets for golfers and non-golfers are now available.
Those wishing to be kept up-to-date on upcoming Brun Bear Foundation golf days are invited to register their interest here.
About The Brun Bear Foundation
Registered charity The Brun Bear Foundation is the result of Edwin dedication to honouring the promise he made to his father while undergoing radiotherapy for brain cancer. The treatment led Edwin’s father to believe he and his family lived with two kindly bears – Brunhilfer and Brunfin, the Foundation’s namesakes – and he sought Edwin’s promise that he would look after these bears 'when the time came'.
When his father sadly passed away in 2014, Edwin set about creating a charitable foundation that would honour both his father’s memory and the values he held most dear. Since then, The Brun Bear Foundation has raised and donated thousands of pounds to numerous projects and causes in the fields of medical research, community projects and, in keeping with the promise he made to his father, animal welfare with a special emphasis on bears.
Staffed entirely by volunteers, The Brun Bear Foundation continues to work tirelessly in supporting new and existing causes and projects, whilst upholding and promoting its inclusive ethos and vision, as well as hopefully, in some small way, helping Edwin look after his father’s bears.
To date, The Brun Bear Foundation has donated thousands of pounds to a mix of local, medical and animal welfare charities.
Through The Simon Shades Award Programme, an annual, merit-based competition, it supports a talented student during their studies and has at its heart a project-based elements that allows the candidate to have a meaningful experience that is personally and professionally rewarding.