Newark Golf Club hosts Notts and Lincs Irish Golf Society’s 44th St Patrick’s Day golf tournament as well as Newark Golf Club captain’s annual Drive In tradition to celebrate start of new season

Annual traditions were honoured as golfers gathered in Newark.

To celebrate St Parick’s Day, the Notts and Lincs Irish Golf Society held its 44th St Patrick’s golf tournament.

Each year society members, all of Irish descent, come to Newark Golf Club to play a special round of golf, with the best player being awarded the green jacket.

It is also an opportunity to raise money for charity.

Tournament organiser Frank Duffy said: “About 30 people took part in the tournament and it was a great day.

“It was a close contest for first place, with two golfers on 41 points. But when there is a draw we see who had the best score on the back nine and Pat Roach came out the winner, narrowly beating Father Michael.”

The tournament was sponsored by Smiths Timber, based on Appletongate, and QK Coal Stores, with people giving generously to support Newark Mencap and Newark Hospice as the chosen charities.

The society has three more events taking place later this year and invites anyone of Irish decent to join in.

Also taking place at Newark Golf Club was the annual Drive In tradition, where the club’s captain hits balls for charity.

Current club captain Wayne Joslin saidthe event has been an age old tradition, usually on or around the first day of spring, to signify the start of the new season.

On a crisp, sunny spring morning around 75 people gathered to wish Wayne well in the coming season as he hill balls down range, supported by vice-captain, Alan Maidlow.

This year, a book to see how far the captain could hit a ball was kept with two golf club vouchers up for grabs for those that guessed the correct distance.

Money collected will go towards the charity Parkinson’s UK.