Words by Geoff Wood. Pix by Mike Phillips

The sun shone invitingly at Bearsted Golf Club on Thursday 27th September to greet 40 golfers who teed off for the 11th annual Riverside Golf Day. There were some notable absentees in the total of 11 members who contested the Tony Lush Trophy, but the playing total was boosted by 29 guests mainly due to the sterling efforts of that well-loved southpaw Ron Goodman. It reinforced the day and appreciation is expressed to Ron for his support and assistance in raising an attractive array of prizes
The guests prize was won by Peter Lomas (handicap 15) a Bearsted member, who returned 40 Stableford points for the best card of the day. The scoring was very respectable and Kevin McLean, Steve Dear, Peter Russell and Ron Farmer followed in the finishing order. The same could be said of the Riversiders who bunched around the 30 points mark, until Neil Turrell (handicap 20 - shurely shome mishtake) emerged from the pack. He carried off the cup from Colin Hall and Mike Baker to win for the third time in four years with 36 points. Jeff Kimberly has also won the trophy 3 times. Colin Norgate finished nearest the pin at the 18th hole with an imperial 7'8", while a guest performed the longest drive at the 9th hole.
The Golf Day returned to Bearsted after an absence of four years and in the evening 42 dined in the comfort of the new million-pound clubhouse. The guests included Trish Turrell and Sue Phillips, the only two ladies to grace the day, plus our Dutch friends Chris Haarman, Rob Boon and Nico Bruels, who were entertained by Ron Goodman. They played in the rain and Kings Hill and in the sun at Belmont during their three-day visit.
President Terry awarded the prizes, excluding the yard of gin handed to Nic Brokenshireby the Dutch for his sporting score

Mike Phillips roamed with his camera and produced 57 negatives to emphasise the positive, some of which illustrate this page.