Teams go wild at the First Born Free golf day

The ‘Go Wild Golf Day’ saw fourteen teams from the surrounding area, as well as some from further afield, taking part in the competition, with the chance to win a host of coveted prizes.

Arriving from 7.30am, the golfers enjoyed a cup of Coffee Real ‘Born Free blend’ coffee, before teeing off at 8.30am, to tackle the strategically designed and beautifully manicured course.

Facing water hazards and challenging rough as they navigated their way around the 18 holes, the course proved a stern test for even the most experienced of golfers.

Raising vital funds to help the Born Free Foundation to protect threatened species in the wild and prevent individual animal suffering, the wildlife even came out to join in the fun, with a family of ducks wandering onto one or two of the holes as the teams passed through!

Adding to the ‘wild’ theme of the event, the challenging tenth hole was marked by a lifesize elephant calf statue which greeted the golfers as they set up to tee-off across the lake.

The modern clubhouse was the setting for the three-course lunch which was enjoyed ahead of the much-anticipated prize-giving. Born Free CEO, Will Travers OBE, introduced the award ceremony by talking about the work of the Born Free Foundation to ‘Keep Wildlife in the Wild’ before making the presentations.

Taking home the trophies and Wild Thing Prosecco, kindly donated by Vintage Roots, for the overall winning team were Team Bartholomew who proudly accepted their prizes along with Team Panther’s Mark Griffin who took home the ‘Born Free Pride Jacket’ and prosecco, the prize for the winning individual.

The final two trophies were awarded to the individuals that were ‘Nearest the Pin’ and produced the ‘Straightest Drive’.

Sponsored by camera lens manufacturer Tamron, Aidan Selby from the New Zealand Turkeys team won the ‘Nearest the Pin’, with Ian Smale, part of the Goring Gophers team, winning the trophy for the ‘Straightest Drive’.

Joanne Bartholomew, Born Free’s Events and Fundraising Coordinator, said: “It is fantastic that our very first Born Free ‘Go Wild Golf Day’ was such a success. It was great to see so many teams and supporters there on the day and we are very much looking forward to an even bigger event next year to commemorate thirty years of the Born Free Foundation.”

The ‘Go Wild Golf Day’ raised over £2,000 which will be put to use in the field protecting threatened species including elephants being poached for their ivory and lions hunted for sport.

For more information about the work of the Born Free Foundation, visit www.bornfree.org.uk