50th anniversary Teesside Golf Day breaks attendance and fundraising record

The 50th anniversary Teesside Golf Day organised by independent furniture retailer, Barker and Stonehouse, broke records by attracting the largest number of people in its history and raising £17,000 for industry charity The Furniture Makers’ Company. 

First organised in 1974 by Richard Barker, the 2024 event took place on Wednesday 14th August at the Catterick Garrison Golf Club in North Yorkshire and was attended by 80 people from the UK furniture and furnishing industry – the highest attendance on record. 

The golf day started with a tasty lunch in the clubhouse followed by a shotgun start to the tournament. Guests enjoyed a fantastic day’s play in glorious sunny weather then later before an evening prize giving, dinner, a raffle facilitated by Nick Sefton or Sefton Agencies, and an auction, with Charlie Oulton of SleepHubs auctioneering. 

The winners of the cups were: 

1-9 Handicap - Paul Olivier of Oliviers Furniture - 32 points  10-15 Handicap - Peter Soakell of Barker and Stonehouse - 38 points  16 – 28 Handicap - Toby Smeaton of HealthBeds - 44 points  Veteran - Simon Mallinson - 38 points  Best Team - David Smeaton, Toby Smeaton, Ross Yeardley and Paul Harris - 129 points  Best Gross - William Watts of Baker Furniture - 81 points  Nearest the Pin - Paul Millard of Urban Chic - 155cm  Longest Drive - Jon Varley of Somnus/Harrison Spinks  Best Overall - David Smeaton of HealthBeds - 45 points 

Brian Ahern, Master at The Furniture Makers’ Company, attended the tournament and spoke to guests about the important work the charity continues to perform in supporting people from the trade who are experiencing financial hardship. 

James Barker, managing director of Barker and Stonehouse, said: “We’re so grateful for the continued generous support from our industry at our annual fundraising golf day in support of The Furniture Makers’ Company. It’s an organisation that does great work, so it's fantastic that this year our event raised £17,000, which is our best result to date.” 

The Master said: “Barker and Stonehouse is a long-time and much-valued supporter of our charity. We want to extend our thanks for yet again organising a very enjoyable fundraiser that was incredibly well attended and raised a staggering £17,000. The money raised will go a long way to supporting more people in the UK furniture and furnishing industry who have fallen on hard times.”