The Joseph Miller Cup, the annual golf match played between Durham and Northumberland, was this year hosted by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, on Friday 10th September at Sharpley Golf Course, Seaham, County Durham.
Having lost the previous two years matches, Northumberland Freemasons were keen to set the record straight and wrestle the silverware from the tight grip of the Durham Freemasons.
After lots of rearranging the teams were set at 8 a side and the day started well with coffee and bacon butties all round, as is the tradition.
Shortly after the first tee-off the heavens opened up and the rain came down. Brollies went up and waterproofs went on and the sun came out and play continued.
After a few hours play again came the rain and most players called it a day, however, one brave group continued to the end, hellbent on re establishing the status quo for Northumberland.
Once the intrepid group joined the rest of the players in the clubhouse, and began to dry out, all participants partook of a very enjoyable meal. Martin Rankin, the Durham Captain, arrived with the Cup which he reluctantly presented to Euan Duff, the victorious Northumberland Captain.
The final scores were Durham 203 points Northumberland 213 points.
At the end of the day the sun was shining and the real winner was Charity, as £184 was raised which was to be donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Congratulations to the Northumberland team on their victory and commiserations to the Durham team, however, we’re sure that you’ll come back all guns a blazing next year, which will make for a fantastic return match.
Many thanks to W.Bro Eric Longstaff, the Honorary Secretary of the Northumberland Masonic Golfing Society, for the submission of this article.
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