Industry players celebrate 10th anniversary of the HBAA Golf Classic

The 10th edition of the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) Golf Classic was attended by 70 meetings industry players and was held at Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate on 28 June.
 
Hotel and venue GMs as well as hotel booking agents and representatives of the corporate world turned up to compete for the HBAA golf trophy and to raise money for the chairman’s chosen charity, the RNLI.
 
Nine teams enjoyed the 18-hole course and frequent visits from the HBAA Chair of Events, Absolute Corporate Events’ Jill Fleming, and Trinity Conferences’ Jenny Harding, with beverages and snacks that made the wet weather more bearable.
 
While the golfers attempted to master the challenging course, non-golfers were treated to a range of outdoor activities arranged by Off Limits Corporate Events, including crossbow archery, rage buggies and 4×4 off-road driving.
 
Following the day’s activities attendees enjoyed networking, a three-course meal and an auction to raise funds for the RNLI. Attendees bid against each other to win a stay at Chewton Glen for eight people.
 
The HBAA’s Chair, Chris Peacock, hosted the evening events, announcing the tournament champions and charity auction winner, Martin Stephens, Director from Off Limits Corporate Events, who helped raise £1,250 for the RNLI. When the presentations were complete, guests were entertained by Yorkshire comedian Mike Kelly.
 
The ‘Best Team of the Day’ prize went to Andrew May, the National Account Director for De Vere Group; Alex Armstrong from FCM Travel Solutions; John Atkins and Dave White from International SOS.
 
‘Best Individual of the Day’ went to Will Helsby, the Director of Sales GB, for Best Western. Winners of ‘Longest Drive’ were David Griffin, the Director of Golf, Leisure and Spa at Heythrop Park Resort and Justin Cole, the Commercial Director BSI.
 
The ‘Nearest the Pin’ prize went to Mark Hoyland, GM from Mercure Wetherby. ‘Best Individual Front 9’ went to Stewart Bond from Puma Hotels Collection, and Jon Atkins from International SOS won the ‘Best Individual Back 9’ prize. ‘Overall Team Winners’ of the Activities Award were Liz Devaney from IHG, Natalie McGuire from Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa, Phil Allsopp from Lea Marston Hotel and Chris Carr from Accor. Rage buggy and 4×4 winners were Chris Carr and Jane Clement, both from Accor, and the crossbow winner was Phil Allsopp from Lea Marston.
 
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