MEMBERS of Okehampton RFC have been busy raising funds for the much publicised club project to improve its main pitches and provide additional facilities. The latest event was a golf day held at Okehampton Golf Club on Friday.

The event, organised by Richard Camies, Ed Thorpe and Martyn Letchford, was supported by 18 teams of four players each. They played 18 holes on the challen-ging Okehampton course in what were rather wet conditions, but the golfers all enjoyed a great day’s golf, which included a ‘hole in one’ by Will Searle, before repairing to the 19th hole to celebrate the days play.

Following an excellent dinner, prizes were presented to the winners. The winning team comprised Matt Chamberlain, Eric Pengelly, Billy Searle and Nick Redman.

The individual winner was Billy Searle who scored 45 points to take the winner’s trophy which was presented by Okehampton Golf Club captain Evan Rees.

An auction raised £1,360 of the £3,363 total raised on the day. Richard Camies thanked Okehampton Golf Club for their hospitality in hosting the event, Dave Wills catering for the dinner and everyone who took part and raised such a fantastic sum for the Pitches Project.

Earlier in the Summer club chairman Robert Barkwell and chairman of the junior section embarked on a walk along the Two Moors way to raise funds for the club and for Cancer Research, a charity close to both their hearts. They raised £13,000 for each of these causes.

More recently a group of players, led by veteran prop Ian Langbridge, took on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and the club. They have so far achieved £1,180 for BHF and £630 for the club.

Okehampton Rugby Club secretary Dave Potter, said on behalf of Okehampton Rugby Club: ‘This Summer’s fund raising has been a tremendous effort on the part of the club members involved. Their generosity and commitment is very much appreciated.

‘The club’s Pitches Project is making good progress. The back pitch, which had new drainage installed last year, will come back into use in August when a pre-season game is played on it. It will be the club’s main pitch for the coming season.

The first phase of work on the front pitch has been completed with the main drainage pipes installed, the ground levelled and grass sown, which is already showing a green sward.

‘The work will be completed in the Spring of 2018 but the pitch will not be available for play until September 2018.

‘The players are already training for the new season under new coach Martin Harrison-Brown, who replaces Gareth Evans in the role, and new club captain Tom McGrattan. Training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For further details contact the club through the web site at www.pitchero.com/clubs/okehampton.’

The club is looking forward to the new season, two pre-season games have been arranged, away to Exmouth on Friday, August 11 and at home to Kingsbridge on Sunday, August 20.

The season in the South West one league starts on Saturday, September 2 away to Clevedon, while the first home game is on Saturday, September 9 when newly promoted Cullompton are the visitors.

Dave added: ‘Please come and support your local rugby club as it continues to move forward.’