28/09/2024
The Raymond Brown Family Ashes: A 24-Year Legacy of Golf, Family, and Heartfelt Traditions
For 24 years, the Raymond Brown Family Ashes has brought family, friends, and unforgettable moments together. This year was no exception. On September 28th, we gathered at The Shropshire Golf Course, despite a smaller turnout due to illness and even “royal” duties!, the presence of co-founder Prys, Our amazing cousin Yvonne and their Australian crew, brought extra warmth to the event, bridging both continents and generations.
The pre-tournament fun began at The Clocktower Pub, where the usual suspects—Steve, Stef, and Charlie—ended up at the wrong golf course, courtesy of s**t Googling. Over pints and banter, the group shared past glories and infamous tales, while Kev quietly recalibrated the next day's handicaps with each exaggerated story. It became clear: the more the stories flowed, the more the handicaps shifted!
Game day arrived, and Michael Sr., true to form, fuelled up with a Biera Moretti for breakfast. Meanwhile, Donny and James wisely hit the driving range, only to earn themselves a two-shot handicap cut. Not so wise maybe? Stef, the only woman on the course after last year’s convincing by Kathleen, was a lone but proud female representative. Her perseverance was inspiring, reminding us all that it’s not about winning but being part of the family tradition. Which is probably just as well, 😊
The golf itself was full of standout moments: Donny’s spectacular shot that landed within a foot of the hole from 160 yards, Kev chipping in for a birdie, Michael Jr. losing his ball in a flooded bunker, and Michael Sr. impressively chasing his runaway trolley at full speed—at age 72! We were urgently looking for a defibrillator whilst standing in awe of the speed and prowess of this pi**ed up 72yr old. We feel he will sleep well tonight.
After the game, we gathered in the clubhouse for a well-earned dinner, minus Donny and James, who were busy dealing with a car-lockout at their Air B&B, only to be saved by some local lock-picking "specialists" from Telford (you can’t make this up!). Over dinner, we raised a toast to absent friends, particularly Raymond and just this year, previous attendee Denis McGeever, whose memory and loss was felt deeply throughout the day. They are all forever in our hearts.
This year brought a historic first: two winners! Tom and Prys both scored 39 points, and after a back-nine countback couldn’t separate them, they shared the coveted prize.
The night concluded with our cherished tradition—the burning of the winner's card, placing the ashes into our beloved whisky bottle( some say next to Grandma) . The moment was a beautiful reminder of the bond that ties us all together, a family tradition that transcends the game itself.
As we look ahead to 2025, our Silver Jubilee, we hope to see more faces at Grangemouth. It's not just a tournament—it’s a celebration of family, friends, and the memories that keep us coming back year after year. Whether you’re an original member or new to the family, we invite you to join us for this milestone event. Let’s make the 25th year the best one yet—golf, laughter, and love all rolled into one.
Sláinte to the Raymond Brown Family Ashes—and to all who make it the magical event it is! See you at Grangemouth!
