Countdown underway for Wardlow Classic

14 June 2023

SPA Golf Club members taking part in the Gary Wardlow Memorial Classic later this month are invited to attend an information evening in the clubhouse when all aspects of this important event will be explained in detail.

Senior club officials including Alan Snoddy, who chairs the organising committee will be in attendance on Thursday of next week, June 22, along with club captains Marian Armstrong and Gary Wright and president Heather Edgar.

A PowerPoint presentation will be the highlight of the initiative. Everything, including the format of the pro-am day, the morning and afternoon shotgun starts, the prizes on offer, the catering arrangements and the duties of the volunteers, will be outlined.

By that stage it is expected all the logistical issues will be resolved and the planning for the Sunday, June 25, Classic will be at an advanced stage including the membership of all the four-balls taking part in the competition.

“It is hoped at least one member of each four-ball will attend the Information night when we will be able to give a detailed plan of the day,” Alan said.

This is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken at Spa Golf Club and all proceeds from the day will be donated to the wife and family of the late Gary Wardlow.

Gary was the PGA professional at the Ballynahinch complex from 2015 until last November when he died tragically and suddenly after taking ill in his shop.

Indications of the esteem and respect in which Gary was held both within the ranks of professional golf and with ordinary club members continue to emerge.

The timesheet for the event was filled within 90 minutes of it going public and over 50 PGA golfers from north and south are pledged to take part each leading a team of three amateurs..

Over 30 golf clubs, north and south, have

donated complimentary four-balls as prizes — including the K Club, Druids Heath, Carton House, Slieve Russell, Malone, Royal Belfast, Royal Portrush, Shandon, Bangor, Galgorm and Donaghadee.

“The overall response has been staggering — from the members, the PGA, sponsors, and other clubs. We at Spa are absolutely delighted by the response and we now have a healthy list of volunteers who will be on duty to carry out a range of duties on the day,” Alan said.

“We always knew it would be a special and successful day but I don’t think any of us envisaged just how the Memorial Classic would take off,” he added.

Tee sponsorship, he added, was progressing well and already the Lowe Corporation had come forward as the main sponsor with their cheque presented to the club several weeks ago.

A specially commissioned commemorative poker chip ball marker featuring Gary Wardlow’s name and his trademark “How’s you” greeting is now one sale in the Spa pro shop.

Last week Alan Snoddy and Chris Harland, Spa’s greens and competitions convenor, met the club’s head greenkeeper, Lee Cartmill, to discuss final plans for the course in advance of the Classic.

Chris said the 18-hole course was “in magnificent condition” thanks to the consistent hard work and imagination of Lee and his team.

“His attention to detail is incredible. Since he came here he has been determined to move us on and push Spa forward. I cannot speak highly enough of Lee and his team and we at Spa are very lucky to have him,” he added.

Anyone wishing to offer sponsorship for the Memorial Classic or become involved in any way should contact Spa Golf Club on (028) 9756 2365.

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