A group of 96 individuals from the Queensland automotive industry’s best and brightest golfers took to the greens at the Virginia Golf Club on Friday, 3 September for the 71st Motor Trades Golf Day.

Returning in 2021 following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Motor Trades Golf Day is one of the highlights on the MTA Queensland social calendar, with 24 teams signing-up to battle it out for golfing supremacy.

Arriving to a worryingly overcast day, the players wasted no time getting warmed up before a light shower threatened to put a dampener on the day. However, just as the buzzer sounded to get play under way, the sun began to poke its way through, leading to a magnificent sunny Spring day.

Run under Ambrose rules – in which the location of the single best shot from the four-person team is used by all team members for their subsequent shots – it quickly became apparent which teams had spent the hiatus practicing their craft, with some enviable swings on display, while MTA Queensland’s CEO was also on hand to offer encouragement after an unfortunate injury ruled him out of competition.

In what turned out to be an incredibly competitive day of action, it was the team from Century Yuasa Batteries consisting of Derek Van Hilst, Phil Grounds, Paul Spencer, and Paul Lister who were crowned champions, finishing with a score of 55 to take home the Motor Trades Cup.

Finishing hot on their heels in the runner-up spot was Mick Rudd, Matt Delforno, Ian Johnson, and Dan Hunt from Autopact, who scored 55.375.

While the competition was fierce on the fairways, the day is ultimately about enjoying the company of fellow members of the Queensland automotive industry, networking, and sharing a laugh, which was much needed after the last 18 months the industry has endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. The players returned to the clubhouse at the end of the competition for a well-earned meal and drinks, with a number of lucky-door prizes also handed out.

MTA Queensland would like to thank our wonderful event sponsors for making the day the resounding success: Capricorn, Youngcare, Century Yuasa Batteries, Deep Grey Photography, and Virginia Golf Club.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and we look forward to seeing you in 2022!

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2021) 

3 September 2021