Continuously run since 24th May 1921, with the exception of the war years of 1940 to 1946, and originally created for the members of North Shields Masonic Hall, the North Shields Cup competition was more recently opened up to the wider Masonic community to help swell numbers, about 20 years ago when numbers began to drop off.
The trophy played for, a magnificent silver cup engraved “The Borough of Tynemouth Masonic Cup 1921”, and hallmarked Birmingham 1920 was valued in May 1994 at £2,500 but must be worth twice that now.
The first competition witnessed 57 entries at Tynemouth Golf Club run as a foursome, until 1927, subsequently adopting a singles Stableford format. In the early days the competitors dined in the Masonic Hall in Norfolk Street, after the competition, however they are now treated, to the dining facilities at Tynemouth Golf Club.
This years competition was played on a very dry Tynemouth Golf Club with competitors receiving soup and sandwiches on arrival prior to heading out in threes for tee-offs from from 1.30pm. Conditions for the competition continued to be very good, warm and sunny with a light breeze, for the duration of the event. After playing the 18 hole course, competitors were welcomed back at the club house with drinks and later a meal of fish and chips.
W.Bro Gavin Wales, of John Page Lodge No.3619 and Dudley Lodge No.5425, both of which meet at Cramlington Masonic Hall, was victorious this year with a fantastic 42 points playing off his 17 handicap, pinching the title from W.Bro Gary Breach, a member of a number of Lodges in the Province, all also meeting at Cramlington Masonic Hall, and a First Joiner of Lodge Sine Nomine No.10000, who won with an impressive 44 points.
Garry Burton subsequently presented Gavin with the Cup, and a bottle of whisky, which he was very pleased to receive as he has, on previous occasions, won, either individually or as part of a team, all the other Masonic Golf Competitions, with the exception of the North Shields Cup. Gavin was then tasked with sourcing a new base for the trophy, as part of his prize, in order to take future winner’s names and Lodges.
Many thanks to W.Bros Gary Breach and Garry Burton for the submission of this article.
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