A CHARITY golf day helped raise cash for soldiers from the Wimbish-based 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) who have been injured on operations in the Middle East. Some 49 players – a mixture of military and civilians – turned out at Saffron Walden Golf Club (SWG

A CHARITY golf day helped raise cash for soldiers from the Wimbish-based 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) who have been injured on operations in the Middle East.

Some 49 players - a mixture of military and civilians - turned out at Saffron Walden Golf Club (SWGC) to raise in excess of �2300. Local businesses sponsored 10 holes to raise �1000 before a ball had even been hit.

In difficult conditions, players contested a scratch and handicap stableford competition incorporating a team event. There was also a prize for the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin competitions.

Atr Bassingbourn won the team event, with Saffron Walden Ladies Team coming in second.

Cpl (Retd) Daz Parry won the Hanidcap Stableford with 34 points, closely followed by Sgt Jenko Jenner (33 points) and Cpl Matt Cookson (31).

SSgt Keith Simmonds came first in the Scratch Stableford with 30 pts. CSgt John Moody was second (19 points) and club captain Ian Dyce third (18).

SSgt Simmonds also won the longest drive competition, while SSgt Brian Terry beat assistant club pro Dave Cox to win Nearest the Pin.

All trophies were donated by Heather Barnes from Heather Barnes Overseas Property and Investments.

A raffle and charity auction followed, with lots consisting of a framed caddie's bib belonging to Tiger Woods' caddie from the Open Championship 2009, a framed signed flag from the US Open in 2006 and the use of a holiday cottage for a week in Norfolk. In all bidders parted with �960.

Event organiser Cpl Anthony Smith, from the 21 Fd Sqn (EOD), who is a member at SWGC, said: "There was some excellent golf played and everyone had a fantastic, if not emotional, day.

"It was such a tremendous success that it will now be an annual fixture and the club has already penciled in September 3, 2010 for next year. Hopefully it will be a bigger and better supported event so we can increase the total raised."

The 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) Regimental Charity Fund has been established to improve the lives of injured soldiers.

Other charities supported on the day included The Army Benevolent Fund, Help for Heroes, BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Servicemen's Association) and The Royal Engineers Association.