Many thousands of pounds raised during 2015 for good causes
There is a lot more than golf taking place at Seckford Golf Club, near Woodbridge.
Quzzing is proving popular, and very lucrative, for local charities at the club.
Last year quiz nights, as well as other charitable events, raised many thousands of pounds to help local charity fundraisers for a wide variety of good causes - at home and abroad.
Mine host, and quizmaster, is Simon Jay the golf professional and Director of Golf & Sales at Seckford Golf Club.
Seckford Golf Club is a members’ club but quiz nights, in particular, are open to non-members and guests too.
They are great fun - I’ve been along to support a few of them - as well as great for fundraising.
It has been a great success all round.
Simon said: “It is good for the club, it showcases the club and the food, and it is very good for the charities we support.”
Simon has been involved with the club for 25 years, working there full-time since 1994.
Quiz nights originally began as fun nights for members, but extra charity nights have gradually been added over time.
“We started 16 years ago, with just six quizzes a year at first, in winter, and six Texas Scramble golf events in the summer.
“Last year we had 37 quiz nights and we already have 27 dates in the diary for 2016.
“We have really brought the community in and it is great that is also helps the local charities.
“They are supported by golfers and non-members too.
“We started with 10 to 12 teams of four people and it has grown, we often get 18 or 19 teams.
“It is always a fun event, and the food is good.”
The first club night quiz of the new season is on January 27, and the first outside charity event is on February 8, to raise money for Cancer Information.
“We have six quizzes during the month,” he added.
Simon asks the questions and those questions, and themes, are researched and written by his mum, Elaine, with help from dad Paul.
Graham Cook also helps with the organisation and there are also a few regulars who also help out on the night.
“It means the charity can just come along, and raise money,” he added.
Charities can raised several hundreds of pounds on a quiz night, up to around £1,400 is the record stand alone event.
Some fundraising events, when linked with a business, can also double up the money with matched funding from the employer.
During 2015 the quiz nights alone raised £22,474 direct for charities.
Other charity events, including golf days, brought in another £21,082 for good causes.
Also, the three captains’ day raised a further £7,200 which was shared between three charites - Hospice At Home, Cancer Research and the Teenage Cancer Trust.
One single golf event, organised by member Martin Rouse, raised £1,811 for Men United, the prostate cancer charity.
There is already a buzy quiz programme being planned for the coming year.
You can keep up-to-date on the website; wwww.seckfordgolfclub.co.uk
Or telephone: 01394 388000.
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