Sportsmans Dinner
The Sportsman's Dinner.
The Sportsman's Dinner has become one of the highlights of the Club calendar since the first event in 2005.
The fundraising dinner is hosted by Chic Young the BBC sports pundit and each year we are entertained by a series of sports personalities, footballers, referees, and others on the after dinner circuit. Chic Young creates a wonderful rapport with the guests and he runs the prize draw and the auction.
The first Ralston Golf Club Sportsman's Dinner was set up to raise funds to pay for the Short Game Practice Area and the driving nets. This excellent facility is the envy of many and provides an opportunity for all members to improve their short game to the green and from bunkers. It was specifically created to promote Junior and Youth Golf Development and Ralston Golf Club has already produced our first scratch golfer from the youth section since Alistair Forsyth.
The initial idea was to pay for the golf practice facility without increasing the annual fee for members. The dinner has now paid almost £40,000 towards the cost of £42,000. The event has also donated £5,000 to charities supporting meningitis research.
The Sportsman's Dinner, prizes and auction is organised by Ian McLeod with the support of Alistair Forsyth and many other club members. They have donated prizes, golf outings, hotel deals and memorabilia autographed by world class sportsmen like Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, Trevor Immelmann and Colin Montgomery. Over the years we have seen incredible auction bids for Scotland's World Cup Qualifier match against Italy, and footballs and tops autographed by the Old Firm and St. Mirren. Top bids were also made for Take That concert tickets with dinner at Mr. Singh's - Glasgow's best curry restaurant.
The Sportsman's Dinner is always a sell out with many members booking tables for a great night out.
It is planned to repay the investment in full following the 8th. Sportsman's Dinner in November 2012.