By Denis Sheehan FIH, Publisher, H&C News: Perfect weather, robots, awards, sublime dining, and 160 bursaries, the IoH Golf Day 2024.
Perfect weather greeted more than a hundred industry people as they entered The Belfry for the annual Institute of Hospitality Golf Day in Partnership with Meiko UK a little over a week ago.
This year’s event was situated in The Wishaw Suite, the first building to greet visitors as they enter The Belfry Resort, with sponsor banners on the suite’s front green further extending a warm welcome to all as they arrived.
Tea, coffee, bacon, vegetarian, and vegan rolls met with all golfers as they registered for play.
Golf Operations Supervisor Josh Hammonds briefed the players on the day’s play before all collected their individual leatherette gift pack with a course guide, tee pegs, a pencil, a pitchfork, and a ball marker from The Belfry golf team accompanied by a sleeve of Srixon balls from TWO Services.
Forty two buggies awaited collection, looking resplendent lined up in pairs with the buggy sponsor of the day, TWO Services, branding on display to greet drivers and passengers.
Once all had navigated to their respective starting holes, the claxon sounded, and play commenced. The Derby course was in immaculate condition, the sun shone and the gentlest of breezes kept players cool, not interfering with play.
Much of the day’s action was caught on video by Susa Comms’ Piers Zangana, and can be seen below, featuring many of the people, and many of the elements that make up such a special day.
During play teams were able to take a well earned break at the halfway house, and enjoy a sausage roll and a drink, courtesy of TWO Services. Then it was back out onto the course refreshed and ready for more play, hit the longest drive, score some stableford points, and hit nearest the pin.
Once play was completed the teams returned to the 19th and most sat on the green enjoying a drink with other teams and players.
The call for dinner was made and when guests were seated, MC for the evening Peter Hancock took charge of proceedings in his inimitable style.
The first course was served: Belfry Gin Cured Salmon, Sweet Pickled Beetroot & Preserved Lemon. Trying to describe how good that course tasted would be folly, suffice to say I hope… it was sensational. Thank you to The Belfry’s Executive Head Chef Robert Bates and his brigade, not only on the first course, but all three, which were each and collectively exceptional.
Once tables were cleared and ready for the main course Peter Hancock introduced the Institute of Hospitality’s Chief Executive, Robert Richardson FIH MI. Richardson was straight to the point, the day was all about the IoH’s Youth Council. He outlined much of the work done by the Youth Council, explaining how they help other young people enter into and develop their careers in our industry.
The main course then followed: Honey Roasted Rump of Lamb, Shoulder & Spinach Samosa, Minted Peas, Thyme Jus. Please see final sentence two paragraphs up.
The next call from Hancock welcomed two members of the Youth Council to address the diners, Katariina Reissaar, and Jupiter Humphrey-Bishop. Both eloquently set out how the funds raised at the golf day has to date funded 160 bursary memberships for individuals whose financial or other circumstances stop them from joining the Institute and accessing a wealth of IoH resources which benefit their careers.
The dessert course was a fitting finale to dinner: Strawberries & Cream, Basil Meringue & Balsamic, followed by Tea or Coffee & Mints. Please see final sentence four paragraphs up.
In rightful recognition of the sublime dinner experience enjoyed by all in the room, the front and back of house team members were all invited by Hancock to collectively receive a round of applause, they did, and it was a hearty one.
The next stage of the evening were the team and individual awards, Longest Drive sponsored by Housekeeping Today, Nearest the Pin sponsored by BB Merchant Services, and the Winning Team sponsored by Meiko UK.
Hancock then announced his assistant for the awards, Keenbot T5, a collaborative robot (cobot) from the day’s Service Partner, Softbank Robotics.
As representatives of the sponsor of each award category were called out to stand alongside the winners, each winner was awarded their certificate and engraved silver salver by Keenbot T5, who diligently delivered each item as efficiently as serving restaurant tables, Keenbot T5’s primary occupation when not serving awards at golf dinners.
Following the awards were a prize draw and auction with prizes donated by the following organisations, thank you ALL.
- Bōkan 38, Novotel London Canary Wharf
- Café Spice Namaste, London
- Canopy London
- CH&CO
- Cicchetti, Knightsbridge
- Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection
- Dakota Leeds
- Eastwell Manor, Kent
- Exclusive Collection
- Foxhills Golf Club & Resort
- Gouqi, London
- HIT Training
- Luxury Family Hotels, New Forest
- Melia White House, London
- Rowhill Grange Hotel & Spa, Kent
- The Beaumont, London
- The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- The Good Hotel, London
- The Grand Brighton
- The Ritz London
- Waldorf Hilton, London
A grand total of £4,700 was raised, thank you to all who bought tickets and/or successfully bid for an item. All funds go to the Institute of Hospitality Youth Council to further their work.
The final part of the evening was simply for me to say thank you, to all who attended and took part, all the teams that played, the magnificent facilities provided by The Belfry, and all of the sponsors who collectively made the day possible.
The 2025 Golf Day will take place again at The Belfry on Thursday 8th May 2025. We are currently processing re-bookings from all who took part in this year’s event and will be doing so until 1st July. Following that date, we will be opening up bookings for new teams. If you are interested in bringing a team to next year’s event, please complete the form below and a member of the H&C News team that manage the event will be in touch.