Hunstanton golfers tee up record £40,000 for the RNLI

A golf day at a top Norfolk links course raised £40,000 for the charity that saves lives at sea.

Thirty-eight teams of four took to the greens at Hunstanton on Friday, June 21.

They included a team from the town's RNLI lifeboat station, which is a short drive away along the beach.

David Bingham, from Hunstanton Golf Club, with the Bourne Again ladies' team from Lincolnshire. Picture credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

The event was organised by the Hunstanton and West Norfolk Lifeboat Guild, with the generous support of Hunstanton Golf Club, along with sponsors and businesses which donated prizes and items for a silent auction.

David West, the guild's vice-chair, said: “It was a day where local knowledge was found to be a premium but youth managed to take the overall first prize.

“The RNLI Team acquitted themselves well but like the rest of the field, found the rough very unforgiving.

Tim Thory tees off. Picture credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

“That said, it wasn't all about prizes but raising money for the RNLI.

“Although the final monies aren't collected yet we are pretty certain we shall have a record year and maybe top out at over £40,000 after all costs.”

Among the prizes was a magnificent silver salver donated by aggregates supplier PR Thory Ltd as a perpetual trophy for the event in honour of the RNLI's 200th year.

Helen Thory with the RNLI silver salver donated by PR Thory Ltd. Picture credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

Director Tim Thory said: “We live here, my wife Helen is on the guild and we think it's an important cause. Any of us might need rescuing one day.”

Tim and his team - which included Danny Knight, Charley Cook, and Harry Burgess - needed anything but rescuing once they hit the fairway.

They came in first place - meaning theirs would be the first names engraved on the silverware he had donated hours earlier.

A competitor blasts her ball down the fairway. Picture credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

Louise Hudson, Tim Cowell, Ed Barratt and Rosh Samarathuraga came second, while in third place were Dave Caplan, Nic Pull, Derrick Lloyd, and William Barber.

The event, which began in 2013, has now raised more than £220,000 for the RNLI.

The guild presented the golf club with a special commemorative shield to acknowledge its contribution towards saving lives at sea.

The Hunstanton RNLI team who finished just outside the leader board (from left), Seamus Griffin, Bob McDonald, Jeff Lenton, Charles le Strange Meakin and Paul Searle. Picture credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

Angie Coker (left) presents Tim and Helen Thory with the silver salver they had donated before the tournament began. Picture credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

Angie Coker, the guild's joint president, said: “Hunstanton Golf Club gave us the course for the day, which is unbelievable.

“It's a great course and a lot of people want to come and play on it, so we get a full entry every year.”