In 2017 Oakham, Rutland based engineers and surveyors Smithers Purslow asked me if I would help them out by photographing their charity golf day, to be held at The Leicestershire Golf Club.
I had previously done some photographic work for them which was more corporate: documenting surveying and engineering projects they had been involved with at venues like Rockingham Castle and Tansor Court. We had always got on very well and I had much pleasure in accepting the challenge!
Finding a local sporting celebrity to fill the mantle occupied by Matthew Hoggard in 2017 was always going to be a challenge for this year's event. Luckily, however, connections with Stamford School secured the services of the one and only Dean Headley who was great fun (and a pretty useful golfer to boot).
The day began with breakfast at the very welcoming Leicestershire Golf Club and, the weather being set fine, the invited guests mingled on the sunny terrace. Four-ball groups had been invited from all manner of companies who have had reason to work with Smithers Purslow during the course of the year: clients, service providers and members of staff from the company itself.
My first job was to photograph each foursome as they gathered on the first tee. A group shot, followed by individual sequences of their first tee shot. Some lucky players even got to take two when the first headed on to the out-of-bounds driving range to the side of the first fairway.
Balls sent on their way, each group would head off to enjoy 18 holes of sunny golf, including some closest-to-the-pin and longest-drive competitions along the way.
Several hours later the first groups to head off were returning down the eighteenth hole, looking forward to some liquid sustenance.
Finally, all the scores collected, it was time to head upstairs to the club's excellent dining room, where supper was served and various awards made, some more serious than others.
A few images from the day:
Guests gather for breakfast at the Leicestershire Golf Club
Warming up on the driving range
Dean Headley tees off from the first
The evening meal and awards ceremony
Dean Headley addresses the guests
Proud winners with Dean Headley
Proud winners with Dean Headley
