Is there any better way to round off the week by getting to know your fellow business owners during a bracing Friday round of golf?
So it was that the region’s largest and most successful networking group, Collaborate MK, enjoyed its third annual golf day at Pavenham in Bedfordshire. The course was in excellent fettle, the weather was (mostly) kind. The standard of golf? Well, let’s find out…
Louise Barth, from Barth Consulting, said:
“There’s nothing like a long walk and a talk to really get to know a person. So it proved with last month’s Collaborate MK golf day. It was fabulous to meet up with so many sponsors, members and guests. Everyone who came together enjoyed a wonderful day making connections and friendships, too.
“This was by far the largest group for our twice-yearly event so far. Particularly pleasing was the presence of five women golfers joining in with the fun and the golf. Not enough women play in these golf events. It’s great to see that the tide is turning!
“Just one of the happy contestants was Martine Davies. She only took the game up during lockdown and hadn’t realised you could network and have so much fun on the golf course. Headline sponsor Karen Macdonald was equally impressed by the way the day had gone. An experienced club golfer, Karen is new to this type of networking and really enjoyed it.”
Andy Axtell from It’seeze Websites added:
“The weather forecast wasn’t great, but the 42 golfers and business professionals who played on the day were treated to pretty good conditions, with only a couple of short showers to bring out the waterproofs and umbrellas.
“Considering the time of year and weather prior to the event, the course was in great condition, too. The day provided a fair test of golf on this Bedfordshire parkland course for both the experienced and less experienced golfers.”
The competition was Stableford and there were prizes for the best score over 18 holes, as well as the front and back nines, along with prizes for nearest the pin and longest drive for both the men and women. The men’s longest drive was hotly contested, with the lead changing several times. The eventual victor was Paul Swales. Martine Davies hit the longest drive among the ladies, while the nearest the pin was less of a contest, with the first name on the sheet from the first group, Chris Walthew, taking the prize.
For the round prizes, again, the lead changed several times as the groups came in. The eventual winner was from the last group. Anthony Smalley took the best back nine honours with 23 points, with Steven Dryden-Hall taking the best front nine with 22 points. Steven was also the overall winner with 43 points.
Roy and Karen Macdonald from sponsors Coach Forever Ltd, said:
“We are a leading supplier of mental health and well being training in Milton Keynes, and were really pleased to be able to sponsor such a well-organised event, a great way to network with new people while enjoying a round of golf on a lovely course.”
Congratulations to all the event winners and thank you from Collaborate MK to Pavenham Park Golf Club for the welcome and hospitality on the day.
To find more about Collaborate MK contact Tim Lee at tim@collaboratemk.co.uk or visit www.collaboratemk.co.uk
