CHARLIE’S Trophy golf day raised an impressive £17,046 at Dainton Park Golf Club.

The charity event is named after Charlie Lawlor, grandson of local businessman Martin Smith, to raise awareness of Charlie’s condition, Rubinstein –Taybi Syndrome. This year is the fifth time round for Charlie’s Trophy.

Charlie is coping well with the syndrome, which is caused by a chromosomal defect and results in mild to severe learning difficulties. He attends mainstream school with added one-to-one support.

Martin Smith, Charlie’s grandad and the event’s organiser, said: ‘I was totally blown away with the amount raised. The auction at the end, orchestrated by Will Smith of Complete Estate Agents and assisted by local entertainer Steve Laister, generated many generous bids from the golfers.

‘I can only thank the individuals and businesses who donated prizes and auction lots, sponsored holes and gave their time and support for the day, particularly the team at Dainton who as always were brilliant, daughters Emma and Becky and my family and friends who made my task that much easier.

‘When I started Charlie’s Trophy back in 2013, converting it from the Firewatch annual golf day, I hoped the day would grow into a significant fundraising event, not just for Charlies’ support group but other local charities. I believe that given we have raised over £66,000 so far we are getting there.’

Martin said five charities will benefit from the money raised this year. The primary beneficiaries will be the Rubinstein –Taybi Syndrome Support Group and Marie Curie, with donations to RC Newton Abbot, Chicks Charity and Dainton captain Graham Hull’s charities – the specialist baby unit at Torbay Hospital and the renal unit at RDE.

He added: ‘The Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome support group will benefit by more than £8,000, which will go a long way in paying for the weekend meeting of RTS children, adults, siblings and families giving an opportunity to help and pass on their experiences in coping with this rare syndrome.

‘Rubinstein –Taybi Syndrome ranges from mild to severe and we do not know what the future holds for Charlie, but what we do know is he will always be ­smiling!

‘Jane Meares of Marie Curie accepted cheques for over £4,600; Devon’s Chicks Charity and the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot both received cheques for £2,000. And a final cheque of £500 to Dainton captain Graham Hull’s charity fund got us to the fantastic £17,000 raised.’

On the day 124 players started, in pairs and teams, in full stableford format. Scoring was very close but the winning pair of Jon Clynne and Dominic Hollingsworth triumphed with 69 points; Jon Clyne of Charles Darrow, the defending pairs champion of last year though with a different partner, won Stowmatic trolleys and Masters 2017 caps; Sid Whitworth and Nick Threadgold came second with 67 on countback; and Mickey Davis with Doug Porter, also on 67, took third place.

Martin added: ‘System Six kitchens team B came first, and were awarded Charlie’s Trophy with a score of 126 points on countback. The team was Sid Whitworth, Nick Threadgold, Mike Gray and System Six Kitchen MD Nigel Jones beating the team of ex Royal Tank Regiment veterans – RTR Black Mafia with a better back nine.

‘There was also a host of individual prizes to compete for, including Beat The Pro, a putting challenge and a return of the Marshmallow Driving Competitionoperated by local telecoms company Mantracom, some 45-plus prizes in total.

‘The Beat the Pro competition bolstered the money by £700 with extra donations to Marie Curie by local businessmen Trevor and Phil Whiteway, in memory of their parents who were supported by the charity before they passed away.’