THERE may not have been any record-breaking golf during the busiest day ever experienced by Marlborough Golf Club, but one mark could well stand forever.

A total of 256 golfers with a full range of handicaps filled the course for the 21st annual Jim Old Charity Golf Day that featured celebrities from the racing world.

Marlborough general manager Les Trute explained: “This is a new record for the club, we have never had more than 208 before.

“It was amazing they all completed their rounds in daylight and in the dry.

“It was a great test for our club’s resources but we received nothing but praise for the excellent catering, the fine condition of the course and the way the day went.

“This was a tribute to Jim and his hard-working team who do so much to make the event such a success each year.

“Our members always come first but, on this occasion, we closed the course for the only time this year because it is such a special day for the golf club.”

Old, the Barbury Castle racing trainer and Marlborough member, expects to hand over almost £25,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund, taking the total raised for charity to £375,000.

Champion jockeys, famous racing trainers, owners, bookmakers, racing administrators and racing supporters played in teams of four for 13 hours continuously from 7.30am.

The first starters were led by jockeys George Baker and Paul O’Neill, partnered by fellow West Berks Golf Club members Billy Nicholson and Richard Blyghing. And they logged an amazing 94 Stableford points that proved to be the best return of the day.

O’Neill said: “George was booked to ride at Lingfield in the afternoon so we asked to go off at crack of dawn.

“The conditions were brilliant, there was not a breath of wind, and we had by far the best of the day as the wind got up quite strongly later.”

Baker, who dashed back for the presentation, said: “The others were cursing me as we all had to get up at 4.30am to get to the course.

“At least I had one win, I was rubbish on my three rides at Lingfield with two sixth places and a seventh.”

Kieren Fallon, a six-time champion jockey, was a member of the team that finished second on 92 points.

AP McCoy, the champion jockey who seems likely to retain the title again this year, failed to win a prize.

Old thanked all his helpers, supporters, sponsors and participants, saying: “We’re still going strong after 21 years, thanks for all the backing I received and we’ll keep it going next year.”

  • BEN Loughrey has been making his second appearance for England this week after being named in the 11-man squad for the Home Internationals in Ireland.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a good 2011 so far, making his debut for the national team against Spain back in May and then finishing third in the Wales Open Stroke Play.

Loughrey is one of few surviving players from the victory over the Spanish at The Berkshire, with four newcomers named in the side, including Wiltshire's Ben Stow.

England were defending the Raymond Trophy at the County Sligo Golf Club, after regaining it at Hillside in 2009 and retaining it last year at Ashburnham.

The tournament was played at County Sligo Golf Club.

For a full report and reaction from Loughrey don’t miss next Saturday’s golf page in the Swindon Advertiser.

  • JAMES White and Sebastian James were crowned Future Champions at the Hills Junior Classic tournament at Broome Manor.

White picked up the eight years and under title while James won the 10 years and under event.

Other youth winners on the day were James Stratford (12 years and under), Ashley Warren (13 years and under), Tom Law (14 years and under), Tyler Jones (15 years and under), Rob Piesse (16 years and under) and Miles Taylor (18 years and under).

  • CIRENCESTER Seniors shared the honours 3.5-3.5 with host club Chippenham Norton in their annual match recently.

All seven matches started in persistent rain and at the halfway point as the greens were starting to flood, before the wetness relented and the match ended in fine conditions.

Cirencester pairing Dave Clark and Patrick Moylan won their match 3&2 to counter the opening pairs loss.

The visitors lost match three but Keith Greenwood, making his long overdue seasonal debut, pinched a half in match four with his partner Neil Grant.

John Thurston and Geoffrey Cotrell then levelled the tie with a one-up victory only for Chipping Norton to win the next.

It was left to club vice-captain John Morris and Tony Jones to square the match by triumphing 2&1.