Rockinghorse Ryder Cup hits a hole in one for charity partners again

At the end of April, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity trustee Sam Thomas and long-term supporter Gavin Willis once again teamed up to host 32 local business men and women at East Sussex National for the annual Rockinghorse Ryder cup. 

The two day event saw the two teams of 16 go head-to-head on the course to battle it out for the prestigious Ryder Cup Trophy. Despite some heavy rain on day one, participants’ enthusiasm didn’t waiver and over a fantastic three course meal that evening the day one scores were announced as Gavin Willis’s Team Yellow and reigning champions finished a point up. The pair then hosted a raffle and game of heads and tails to raise much needed funds for the charity, before we heard from Amanda Hethrington, corporate engagement manager at Rockinghorse, about the charity’s upcoming projects and how companies can support the new One Day at a TIme campaign, helping families experiencing cancer. 

Following the dinner, Team Blue captain Sam encouraged some team bonding at the bar until the early hours to go out and try and bring home the trophy on day two. 

The FirmBalls weather guarantee kicked in on day two as the sun gods came out. The two teams went toe-to-toe as groups came in it was extremely tight and the teams where level with two groups still to come in. Gavin and Sam waited at the 18th as co-sponsors Aiden Dunning, EMW (Team Blue) and drinks sponsors Mark Brown, Viewz.AI (Team Yellow) walked up the 18th fairway. As they came in with partners Mark Martin (Team Blue) and Rob Callow (Team Yellow), Aiden pointed at team captain Sam saying they had brought it home and gave Team Blue the advantage with one final group to come in. Stuart Noakes, from headline sponsors Carpenter Box and Ross Czolak, Team Blue, walked up the 18th with opponents Sonny Cutting, of Sussex Business Show, co-sponsors, Team Yellow and Duncan French. The sign from the teams was that Team Blue had won the match and won the 2023 Ryder Cup. 

“It was amazing to host our second annual Rockinghorse Ryder Cup this year at the fantastic East Sussex National, with my good friend Gavin Willis. I was overwhelmed with the support and popularity of the event that sold out in under a week after launch. We bought 32 players together over two days for some fantastic golf, fun, building connections all whilst raising money for a fabulous cause. The weather on the first day didn’t dampen people’s spirits and although I was overly excited to secure a win for team blue this year (12 months of bragging rights in the bag) the real winner is Rockinghorse with the money that was raised. Massive thanks to our sponsors Carpenter Box and to the co-sponsors, MCR MEDIA SOLUTIONS LTD,  Sussex Business Show,  EMW Law LLP, & STax – part of the EMW family, Viewz.AI and Accredo for being drinks sponsors and everyone that attended the event. I am already looking forward to next year and retaining that trophy for team Blue’”~ Sam Thomas, owner of FirmBalls

“The 2023 Rockinghorse Ryder cup was another epic battle, enduring all weather conditions, with all 32 players being absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was brilliant yet again, and i am very proud of what this event is becoming, and what it stands for. Bringing people together, to have fun, network and build relationships, and help make a difference to a simply amazing local charity that means so much to me – I really couldn’t ask for more, and I’m already excited for next years event.” ~ Gavin Willis, Founder Search Seven

This fantastic two-day event is now a firm favourite in the FirmBalls and Search Seven calendar as a flagship event for Rockinghorse. The teams are now one win each and 2024 is all set up to be another amazing event.

Thank you to all the sponsors and everyone that participated to make this a truly memorable event that raised an amazing £3,000. 

For more information or to see how you or your business can support Rockinghorse please visit  https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk