14 June 2023

BPIF Northern Ireland Golf Day and Dinner 2023 - puts printing back on course!

The now 104 years old BPIF Northern Ireland golf society roared back into life as golfers from local printing and packaging companies, and their supporting supply chain, turned out to reacquaint themselves with the wonderful beauty of Malone Golf Club. A stunning parkland course hugging the river Lagan as it meanders through the outskirts of a leafy South Belfast.

It was fitting that the last champion (Barry Browne) and his colleagues at RW Pierce got the BPIF Northern Ireland Golf Day, sponsored by Landa Digital Printing, underway and off the first tee.

Certainly, a first in recent times, the BPIF was very happy to welcome some industry colleagues up from Dublin. Representing the Irish Printing Federation, we had Diarmuid Dawson, Dermot Downer, Eugene Healy and Joe O'Callaghan.

In a very friendly but competitive clash the top rankings had to be decided by countback. Out in front this year in the Challenge Trophy, sponsored by Landa Digital Printing, was Jamie McMinnis (MAD Colour); just ahead of his colleague Andrew Christie and Jonathan Dinsmore (Boxpak). As well as collecting the now 104 years old Challenge Trophy, Jamie also received a lovely Shortcross Rye & Malt Irish Whiskey gift hamper, presented by Steve Donegal at Landa.

David Bell from GPS Colour Graphics was the victor of the Stanley Little Rose Bowl (Directors' Trophy), also sponsored by Landa Digital Printing. Steve presented David with the additional prize of a Shortcross Gin gift hamper.

The Iddon Sherlock Trophy, sponsored by BPIF, for the best placed two-person company team was won on this occasion by MAD Colour's Paul Muise and Andrew Christie, just ahead of Stuart Marshall and Phillip Gibb from W&G Baird.

Darren Vance (Elliott Baxter) picked up the Nearest the Pin award, whilst Ian Torrans (MAD Colour) had the longest drive, with a monster effort down the final fairway - both awards were sponsored by Alphagraphics.

The best guest competition, sponsored by BPIF, was won by Darren Vance at Elliott Baxter. Finally, the Alphagraphics sponsored awards for completing any hole in two shots went to Michael McCombe (WestRock), Ian Torrans, Paul Muise (both MAD Colour), and Dermot Downer (Irish Printing Federation and Westside Press).

The BPIF's Darren Shepherd introduced a new competition at this year's event - the Bamboo Challenge. It's not clear that there were any winners, though I'm sure some may argue with that! See for yourself by watching the Bamboo Challenge video below.

A big thanks must go to all our sponsors, Landa Digital Printing, Alphagraphics and MAD Colour - and to all the companies and individuals that got involved; we'd love to welcome you back next time.

Thanks also to Paddy, Stephen, and all the staff at Malone Golf Club for helping make this event run smoothly and be so enjoyable.

Click here to view some more photos from the day.

The full list of prize winners is:

Challenge Trophy - sponsored by Landa Digital Printing
1st: Jamie McMinnis - MAD Colour
2nd: Andrew Christie - MAD Colour
3rd: Jonathan Dinsmore - Boxpak

Stanley Little Rose Bowl (Directors' Trophy) - sponsored by Landa Digital Printing
David Bell - GPS Colour Graphics

Iddon Sherlock Trophy - sponsored by BPIF
Winners: Paul Muise and Andrew Christie - MAD Colour
Runners-up: Stuart Marshall and Phillip Gibb - W&G Baird

Best Guest - sponsored by BPIF
Darren Vance - Elliott Baxter & Company Ltd

Longest Drive - sponsored by Alphagraphics
Ian Torrans - MAD Colour

Nearest the Pin - sponsored by Alphagraphics
Darren Vance - Elliott Baxter & Company Ltd

2s - sponsored by Alphagraphics
Michael McCombe - WestRock, Ian Torrans and Paul Muise - MAD Colour, Dermot Downer - Irish Printing Federation

We're working on securing a venue and date for next year. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions and offers for sponsorship would be greatly accepted.

THANKS TO OUR HEADLINE SPONSOR:

AND THANKS TO ADDITIONAL SPONSORS:

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