The inaugural Great Days Golf ‘MJW Memorial Classic’ took place at Machynys Peninsula Golf Resort on the 23rd of September 2021 with 22 teams gathering to remember the former Wales Rugby International who lost his battle against cancer in 2020.
A great friend of the Directors at GDG, Matthew’s courageous fight against illness was acknowledged with emotional messages from his wife Stacie and two sons as well as former Scarlets legend Rupert Moon.
GDG’s Executive Partner Daniel Biggar sent a good luck message to all the players and sponsors who generously supported the day. Event title sponsors Dyfed Telecom were present and fielded a strong team which included former Wales and British and Irish Lions flanker Martyn Williams. Other celebrities that turned out to support MJW’s family included his former teammates Garan Evans, Barry Davies, Shane Williams, James Hook and Huw Bennett. Ex Wales Internationals Ieuan Evans, Allan Bateman, Jeremy Pugh and Martyn Morris took part as well as Rugby League legend Kevin Ellis. From the world of snooker Ryan Day took to the course as well as former Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Thomas and actor/presenter Rhys Ap William.
Former Wales footballer Andy Legg ended up on the winning 4 ball in the team event with Barry Davies taking the individual honours. Entertainment was provided on the Par 3 challenges by EuroPro star Jack Davidson and GDG’s very own Mike Jones on the Beat The Pirate hole.
The day proved to be a huge success with an array of prizes donated by Cwmfarm Charcuterie, the Scarlets, Rhys ap William, Sam Thomas, Brecon Brewery, SMEG, Huw Bennett, Heywood Spa Hotel, Aspire 2Be and many others.
The main trophies were provided by Corporate Trophy Partners Valley Mill who also provided a Memorial Welsh Slate gift of MJW for his family plus bespoke slate coasters for each golfer in their GDG gift bags, sponsored by Dyfed Telecom.
Media Partners Buffoon Film and Media compiled the perfect montage of the day with use of their drone and film making expertise which included footage from Dyfed Telecom’s 360 camera, part of their new CCTV offering. Riley Sports Photography also captured the nuances of the day as the golfers enjoyed the beautiful weather and course conditions Machynys had to offer.
Following the kind donations by the clients for the raffle and auction hosted by Sean Holley after an insightful Q&A with legends Ieuan Evans and James Hook, Great Days Golf are now in a position to gift MJW’s family with a donation as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation of our great friend and colleague who is sadly missed.
We look forward to growing the MJW Memorial Classic event on an annual basis and places for next year’s event on 13th May 2022 can now be booked via our booking link below:
