On Friday 25th July, the East Kent Masonic Golf Association held its annual William Blay Trophy competition at the scenic Chestfield Golf Club. In a landmark moment for the Association, this year’s event proudly welcomed lady golfers from West Kent — the first time such participation has taken place in East Kent, marking a significant step forward in inclusivity and inter-Province camaraderie.

The competition, held in fine summer conditions, attracted 47 Players and guests from across Kent making it the busiest event of the year so far. The course, perched above Whitstable with coastal views and a mix of tight fairways and fast greens, offered a true test of skill and strategy.

The William Blay Trophy, usually housed in the museum at Canterbury was donated by the past Deputy Grand Master for the Masonic Province of Kent before its division into two provinces.  The competition is a team Stableford format with the best three of four scores from each lodge team counting toward the result.

As in previous years, the entry criteria for each lodge were only two subscribing members with a selection of single players being randomly drawn to make up the teams. The support this year was exceptional with eight lodges entering at least one team ensuring a highly competitive and enjoyable day.

Runners Up – Weald of Kent Lodge

🏆 William Blay Trophy Results (Best 3 from 4 Scores)

🥇 1st Place: Richard Watts Lodge (1) No. 8534 – 111 Points

🥈 2nd Place: Weald of Kent Lodge No. 1854 – 103 Points

🥉 3rd Place: Richard Watts Lodge (2) No. 8534 – 100 Points

4th Place: Maeides Stanna Lodge No. 7868 – 97 Points

5th Place: Queenborough Lodge No. 3893 – 92 Points

6th Place: Douglas Lodge No. 1725 – 85 Points

7th Place: Malling Centenary Lodge No. 8068 – 81 Points

8th Place: Royal Navy Lodge No. 429 – 76 Points

⛳ Individual Stableford Winners

1st Place – Richard Cooper (Guest of Fleur-de-Lis Lodge) – 42 Points

Runner Up – Colin George (Weald of Kent Lodge) – 41 Points

Third Place – Ashley Lawrence (Richard Watts Lodge) – 40 Points

Best Ladies Score –  Fiona Murray – 38 Points

Left to Right.  Richard Cooper,  Colin George, David Davenport & Fiona Murray

After a spirited day on the fairways, players gathered in the clubhouse for a well-deserved meal and the prize presentation. In his remarks, Roy Butler extended sincere thanks to all participants and guests, with special appreciation for the lady golfers from West Kent whose inclusion brought a fresh and welcome dimension to the day.

Captain Roy Butler also organized a raffle on the day which raised over £340 for the Five Acre Wood School

Thanks were also expressed to the team at Chestfield Golf Club for their warm hospitality and the superb condition of the course, which received high praise from all attendees.

⛳Other Awards

Nearest the Pin – 4th Hole: Daren Horne

Nearest the Pin – 8th Hole: Ash Lawrence

Nearest the Pin – 12th Hole: John Fairfax

Nearest the Pin – 16th Hole: Richard Cooper

Longest Drive – 11th Hole (Men): Paul Ames

Longest Drive – 13th Hole (Ladies): Fiona Murray

Longest Walk Award: Dave Davenport

For the Full results and Placings Click here

 Fixture List 2025

 Friday 29th August 2025

Tenterden Golf Club

Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:24 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 26th September 2025

Faversham Golf Club

Captains Day & Social Stableford

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:30 First tee.  £65.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 17th October 2025

Upchurch Valley Golf Club, Sittingbourne

David Graeme Trophy – Light Blues V Dark Blues

09:00 Breakfast, 10:00 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

iiAn Impressive Day on the Greens Ends in Glory for East Kent Masons

The third Interprovincial competition of the 2025 season saw the East Kent Masonic Golf Association host the Surrey Masonic Sports Association for the prestigious Surken Silver Salver.

Having mislaid the trophy in 2024, the Surrey Team arrived at Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Golf club which was in top condition thanks to the recent glorious weather.

The day started with the usual breakfast meeting and the format would be decided on five single games between the two sides with each game being decided by the most Stableford points.  As Surrey had some late withdrawals, the East Kent team comprised of Captain Roy Butler, Vice Captain Paul Ames past captains, Daren Horne, Leon Zacharow and Chris Metherell.

In the end, East Kent stormed to victory, winning all 5 games for a clean sweep.

Standout Individual Performances

While the team result was a cause for celebration, individual brilliance also lit up the day. Leon Zacharow of the Royal Engineers Lodge in Chatham and playing at his home course, delivered a masterclass in consistency and control, finishing with 42 points to claim his first win of the season.

Second place was tightly contested, with Dave Woodward of the Richard Watts Lodge taking the runner-up spot on 36 points, just edging out his lodge brother Ben Parrish, who also finished with 36 points but narrowly lost out on countback. The strong showing from Richard Watts Lodge highlighted their intent for the forthcoming William Blay event at Chestfield Golf club in July.

Congratulations to all participants, and especially to Leon Zacharow for his exceptional round. The spirit of Freemasonry was well and truly alive on the course, and the East Kent Masonic Golf Association can take great pride in a well-earned victory.

Captain Roy Butler also gave a heartfelt outline of his charity for the year which is Five Acre Wood school and as a result the “fine bucket” raised a wonderful £165 for the year.

Vice Captain Paul Ames with the Winner Leon Zacharow.  (Royal Engineers Lodge).

Runner Up Dave Woodward (Richard Watts Lodge) – 37 Points

The Prizes were:

Nearest The Pin 4th Hole – Paul Day

Nearest The Pin 7th Hole – Roy Butler

Nearest The Pin 11th Hole – Steve Woodward

Nearest The Pin 15th Hole – Nigel Mann

Longest Drive – 17th Hole – Ash Lawrence

For the Surken Silver Salver

East Kent Beat Surrey 5 – 0

For The Full Results.  Click Here

 Fixture List 2025

 Friday 25th July 2025

Chestfield Golf Club

William Blay Trophy & Individual Stableford

10:00 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:16 First tee.  £60 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

 Friday 29th August 2025

Tenterden Golf Club

Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:24 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 26th September 2025

Faversham Golf Club

Captains Day & Social Stableford

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:30 First tee.  £65.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 17th October 2025

Upchurch Valley Golf Club, Sittingbourne

David Graeme Trophy – Light Blues V Dark Blues

09:00 Breakfast, 10:00 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING