Nerak raise their game and elevate their credentials as AMHSA Sporting Champions.
As lockdown restrictions were eased on 16th August, AMHSA members were finally able to meet, physically, for the first time in over 18 months. The AMHSA Sporting Challenge, Charity Golf Day was held on 7th September 2021 at Ullesthorpe Court Hotel and Golf Club.
John Oakley & Simon Musgrave proudly holding the trophy triumphantly along with the Nerak team.
Covid Crisis
The pandemic decimated the AMHSA Events Calendar throughout 2020 and most of 2021, preventing members from coming together to meet safely and enjoy usual networking opportunities. The secretariat team arranged a programme of online sessions during the restrictive period – including training courses and informative discussion and roundtable events. Several topical online sessions were also presented offering useful information to members in relation to the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit situation.
Frustration to Relaxation
As restrictions eased so too did the mood of our population and along with it our industry frustrations. Our attention once again turned to our freedoms and being able to go about our lives in a normal manner, though being mindful of the need to retain a cautious approach.
The AMHSA Sporting Challenge was opened to members and their guests to come along and enjoy the great outdoors whilst competing for the coveted title and trophy – “AMHSA Sporting Champions”.
Following a leisurely networking breakfast guests were invited to compete in the first contest “The Foam Ball Chipping Challenge”. Play was under way by mid morning and competitors’ took to the 1st tee to start enjoying the countryside and soaking up the sun. Seven teams competed in the competition and all were more than happy to be supporting, Parkinson’s UK, AMHSA’s current chosen charity.
Strong Competition
The incumbent champions, MiTek Mezzanine Systems, took the honour of teeing off first and did not disappoint the supporting crowd of other, onlooking, members – including teams from Big Box Automation, IPL Group, Knapp, Nerak, Swisslog and Loadhog, with impressive tee shots setting the tone and standards required if the rest of the field were going to challenge for the title.
High Standards at the 19th
Standards were, as suspected, extremely high and whilst some struggled with the pace of the greens others were finding their range and scoring extremely well positioning themselves at the top of the leaderboards. Competition was fierce and the race was on to post the best two scores from each four ball. Interplay competitions were also being tightly contested. Scott Chambers enjoyed successes in the foam ball chipping challenge and nearest the pin competitions and Conan Bonser, Loadhog, recorded success in the longest drive competition with a mighty impressive 300 yard drive!!
After a long hot day on the course competitors were able to enjoy refreshments, more networking and share “fish tales” about their own standards of play before a three course dinner and awards presentation in the hotel restaurant.
It was the Nerak team who enjoyed the awards most having posted an unassailable score of 93 points and clinching top place as “AMHSA Champions 2021”. The Nerak team played with accuracy and precision and were deserved winners. Simon Musgrave commented “It’s been a long journey for the team today, having travelled from Wales, but we are extremely pleased to be taking the spoils home with us”, “we shall enjoy our status as AMHSA champions for the next year and will be back to defend our title in 2022”.
Whilst the competitors and member companies who took part in the day have all enjoyed the event and overcome the pain of the pandemic, ultimately, the real winners where the AMHSA supported charity – Parkinson’s UK who will receive in excess of £600 towards their funds, a great start towards our target of £1,000.
Well done to everybody who took part and we hope to see more of you next year.
Matt Jones
AMHSA