The NSPCC golf day at Rochford Hundred again smashed all records when £17,500 was raised for the children's charity.

That staggering amount took the total to £174,500 since the first event 15 years-ago.

Nineteen teams took part in the competition which was organised by Judith O'Hara and the ladies committee from the NSPCC's Thorpe Bay branch.

And she paid a glowing tribute to the Southend firm of solicitors Tolhurst and Fisher who, out of their charitable trusts, match pound for pound what is raised on the day.

Former senior partner in the firm Ian Trenaman has been involved since the inception and said: "The event has just grown and grown over the years since we first started it and is now a very popular part of the local golfing calendar.

"There can be few nicer ways to raise money than by playing golf on a superbly presented course and hopefully it will continue for many years to come.

"The total this year beat our previous best by around £1,500 but the sum just goes up every year thanks to the generosity of the team sponsors plus donors to our giant raffle."

The fund was also boosted by an auction held by Paul Francis, owner of Golf in One at Rayleigh, who persuaded a number of his suppliers to donate golf equipment.

The main competition - a team 4's with the best two scores counting on each hole - was a close run affair but in the end victory went to the team led by Marshall Dale with his son Jimmy, Paul Green and Roberto Bonora on 95 Stableford points.

They just pipped the line-up of David Madan, John McCarthy, Barry Turner and Heinrich Ferreira who had 94.

Third place, two points behind, went to Ian Fisher, Mike Ebsworth, David Scoging and Fred Chandler while fourth on 91 were Nick Rankin, Kevin Fernandez, Matthew Rankin and Geoff Piggy.

Best front nine came from Jim Richings, Tony Brothers, Christine Burroughs and Terry Lincoln with 46 and back nine honours on 48 went to Sally Smith, Ilean Eley, Janice Hazledine and Beryl Claxton.

Nearest the pin on the par 3 7th hole were Tina Dye and Allen Carver while putting prizes were collected by Sally Rankin and Dave Turner.

Best dressed team with the neatest card were Henne Bush, Beryl Barber, Wendy Elmore ad Trish Hopkins.

Cashing in - Ian Trenaman hands over a cheque to the NSPCC's Judith O'Hara while the winning team of (left to right): Jimmy Dale, Marshall Dale, Roberto Bonora and Paul Green look on

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.