Twelve friends who play golf at Castletown have taken part in a very special event to celebrate the start of the new captain’s year in office, all connected to the unique date 12-12-12.
The golfers played twelve holes on the 12th day of the 12th month of the year 2012 (12-12-12), thanks to an idea by Barry Watts, the new captain at Castletown Golf Club, who had been meticulously planning the day for some time.
The number 12 continued to appear throughout the unique day on the calendar when the friends played twelve holes, starting on the 12th tee at 12 minutes past 12 midday.
The players then moved on to The Abbey Restaurant in Ballasalla where a specially themed 12-course meal had been prepared on the theme of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’
Even after their meal the theme didn’t end when one of the players, former Castletown golf captain Steve McGowan, collected ?12 from all the golfers and travelled to the casino to place ?12, twelve consecutive times on number 12 on the roulette wheel! Unfortunately, the number 12 didn’t come up.
“I’ve had a wonderful response from the players, and we all had a wonderful day,” he said. “I particularly want to thank The Abbey owner Sarah Giummri and chef Richard for their amazing ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ menu. It was fantastic and they went to a huge amount of effort.”
Items on the menu were linked to the song ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ and featured items such as partridge, goose egg brulee, golden pheasant and ‘turtle dove eggs’ with 12 Christmas cake ‘drums’ to conclude the meal.
Players taking part in the unique day were Barry Watts, Barry’s son Robert, Andrew Beeman, Andy Cross, Richard Wild, Steve McGowan, Phil Games, Mark Grace, George Ferguson, Gordon Drake, Steve Nuttall and Malcolm Whetnall.
Barry added, “My thanks are due to all the players for making the effort to be there and making the day so special. It was a unique opportunity to do something very different.”
Photo - The twelve players begin their unique day on the 12th hole at Castletown at 12 minutes past 12 (Photo: Bill Dale).
