The B3CF and The Royal Commonwealth Society Nordic-Baltic Hub were honoured to organise the 3rdCommonwealth Golf Day, Awards and Dinner. This year we were delighted to have been sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover, Famous Grouse, Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki, Hartwall, Olvi, IDÉ House of Brands, Westerback, Thirsty Bear, LCS Wines and Consulting, Firstbrokers and Hello Stranger.
The Golf Day kicked off with a 9am breakfast, briefing and group photo. Chairman of B3CF Garry Parker welcomed all guests to the Golf Day. Tapiola Golf CEO Jari Hakkarainen took the opportunity to provide a brief introduction of their club to the guests. Just before 10:30am the first teams began sauntering toward the first hole. Over the course of the day, teams played a total of 18 holes.
While experienced golfers were completing the full course, the rest of the guests along with B3CF staff attended a private golf lesson for the completion of Green Cards. After along day of golfing, players had the opportunity to relax with a sauna and massage, test drive either the new 2019 Range Rover Evoque Hybrid or the fully electric 2019 Jaguar I-Pace and prepare for dinner. The weather remained sunny, refreshing and ideal for a day of golf.
Just after 17:30, golfers were joined at the evening reception by VIP guests, our guest of honour, Her Excellency Ambassador Carmen Smidt of South Africa, and as mattering of other members. VIP’s included documentary film director and producer Michael Franck, artist Johanna Oras, landscape artist Taina Suonio (designer of The Roots in Finland Kyrö Garden at the Chelsea flower show 2019, London) and reporter Rita Tainola, along with all their spouses. Guests we regreeted with live piano and drinks, while raffle tickets were being sold.Guests were seated just after 18:00.
For the first hour, diners were entertained by the Jasmine Wynants and Ben Granfelt duo, while enjoying a variety of mix of salads, chicken, roast salmon and sides. Famous Grouse Whiskey could be sampled free of charge throughout the evening.
After an hour or so of dining, Executive Assistant and MC of the evening Katie Bell opened the ceremonies of the evening. Katie introduced all guests to the golf day, B3CF and RCFNordic-Baltic Hub, the VIPs and opened the floor to our guest of honour, HerExcellency Carmen Smidt. Ms.Smidt’s heartwarming speech was focussed on the themes of golf in South Africa, and the 70 years of Modern Commonwealth celebrations. Next, those who attended golf lessons were awarded their green cards.
The prizes for Third Best Team went to Team Rusan including Reggie Rusan, Samu Nurmi, Jaava Myllyniemi, Kimmo Kujanpää. Each of the four players received House of Lords themed Golf balls. Team Koskimies, including Gunnar Tengström, Juha Korhonen, Jouko Kiesi, won the the 2nd Best Team. Finally the Best Team award went to team Halminen, including Juhani Halminen, Toni Hämäläinen, Heikki Koskiand Marcus Mangs. Each player received a bottle of Famous Grouse sponsored whisky.
Awards were given out for various golfing achievements:
- The prize for “Closest to the Pin at Hole #2” went to Timo Vainio at 4,98m, for which he he as well received the Malta trophy and a 100€ gift card to Hello Stranger.
ThePrize for “Closest to the Pin at Hole #13” went to Marcus Mangs at 1,57m for which he as well received the Malta trophy and a 100€ Hello Stranger gift card.
- The prize for “Longest Drive” were the Australia trophy and a bottle of Tempranillo sponsored by Thirsty Bear, presented by Michael Franck and went to Elias Koski.
Elias Koski also won the Best Individual Commonwealth Trophy along with an artwork from Johanna Oras.
The Fourth Commonwealth Golf Day will be announced shortly. Click any picture to see the whole gallery for the event.
