Enjoy the swing: what the Rockinghorse Ryder Cup taught me about business, brotherhood and purpose

By Sam Thomas.

The sky was blue. The mood was high. And for Team Blue, the scoreline? Well… let’s just say we brought the trophy home in style.

This year marked the fourth chapter of the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity Ryder Cup, a two-day golf showdown that’s become so much more than a friendly sporting event. Hosted once again at the East Sussex National Resort, this annual face-off between Team Blue and Team Yellow is one of the most anticipated dates in my calendar.

Yes, the golf matters. But what matters more is the people, the purpose and the powerful sense of community that’s built year after year.

Let’s start with the scoreline, though. Because, as captain of Team Blue, it’s only fair I enjoy the bragging rights…

Team Blue 25 – Team Yellow 7.

A landslide. A statement. A swing heard around Sussex.

I’d love to say it was a close contest, but the numbers tell a different story. From the first drive to the final putt, Team Blue came with one goal: to bring it home.

But in truth, this event has never just been about who wins on the course. It’s about the bigger win: the one we achieve together.

Why this event matters

At the heart of this weekend is the incredible Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, a cause that means the world to both myself and my dear friend and co-host, Gavin Willis. This year, we raised over £3,000, taking our four-year total past £10,000. Every penny goes toward supporting sick and disabled children in Sussex, providing life-saving equipment, care and hope.

Gavin summed it up beautifully in his own reflections: “Yes, the Blues won but, as always, the real winners are the charity, the amazing Rockinghorse Children’s Charity whom everyone knows is very close to both mine and Sam’s hearts.”

He’s right. The scores fade. The laughs linger. But the impact remains.

Brotherhood over birdies

One of the biggest gifts this event has given me isn’t just the joy of competition or the generosity of the community, it’s the bond I’ve built with Gavin.

We often joke that we’re “Sussex’s own Ant and Dec”, but there’s truth in it. He’s become like a brother to me. As Gavin shared in his post: “It’s hard to explain the feeling I get from hosting this event with someone that has become like my brother over the years.”

Back in 2022, he asked me to co-host this event. I didn’t hesitate. And every year since, I’ve been reminded why. He lifts me up, he keeps the energy alive and he inspires me to keep showing up with heart. Together, we’ve created something that goes far beyond golf.

And while Gavin took this year’s loss like a champ, I know he’s already plotting a Team Yellow comeback for 2026…

A community in full swing

I want to shine a spotlight on the incredible community behind this event. From our generous sponsors to our spirited players, this is what happens when people come together with purpose.

Huge thanks to our sponsors:

• Diginius – Jordan Maxwell

• Hive19 – Aaron Thomas

• Managed Language – Mark Alford

• Ridgeview Wine Estate

• And a special shoutout to “No Bed Before Balcony” ambassador and Day 2 wingman, Matthew Gayler, who not only helped carry me on the course but created a new post-event mantra that might just be life advice in disguise.

Thanks also to the outstanding team at East Sussex National Resort, and to Jackie Irving-Wilkinson and Alex Marshall for your hands-on support across both days. Your efforts make this event shine.

And to the 2025 rosters:

Team Blue, you were unstoppable. Absolute legends: Jamie Salvidge, Paul Severn FCA, Daniel Stoner CERT CII, Chester Ming-Shu Yang, Chris Hoadley, Nick Hoadley, Emma Cleary, Aiden Dunning, Daniel Richards, Stuart Noakes, Jon Barnes, Andrew Davis, Scott Bartholomew, Richard Higgins, and Archie Court.

Team Yellow, you brought the spirit, and we’ll see you next year with a score to settle: Justin Miller, Chris Bantock, Luke Stewart, Jack Hickman, Nathan Lomax, Edward Hickey, Mark Alford, Ben Bennett, Ben Simon, Lara Squires FCIM, Ciaran Donohue, Richard Philp, Stephen Readman, James Heybourn, and Neil Witten.

Enjoy the swing

This year, a phrase stuck with me: “Enjoy the swing.” It started as a golf metaphor, but quickly became something deeper.

In business, in life, in everything we do, it’s easy to get obsessed with the outcome. But sometimes, the magic is in the movement itself. In showing up, taking your shot, and staying present.

That’s what this weekend was all about. The swing. The laughter. The connection. The cause.

As Gavin said: “The two-day event is without doubt one of the highlights of my year. The banter is off the charts, it’s full of fun, love, connection, a lot of laughs, a few drinks, and of course some golf chucked in for good measure.”

The road to year five

Now, with the score tied at 2–2, we’re heading into the 5th anniversary year. The decider. The big one. And I already know it’s going to be epic.

Until then, I’ll carry this year’s memories with me. The joy, the brotherhood, the generosity and the swing.

Because when business meets purpose, and people lead with heart. amazing things happen.

And that, as they say, is a wrap.