Iconic Martello tower hosts special Captains Day event
For the first time in Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club’s history, members were able to hit balls off the top of its iconic Martello Tower rather than trying to navigate around it.
The 210-year-old structure, which sits alongside the 17th fairway, was one of eight defensive forts built on the Suffolk peninsula during the Napoleonic War. The Championship links course takes its name from the tower and members used it as a clubhouse from 1880 to 1884.
But during the Captains Day on Saturday more than 200 members took part in the “Martello Challenge”, hitting shots to the 17th green in a beat-the-pro competition and the 13th green in a nearest-the-pin challenge. Their efforts raised more than £5000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Prostate Cancer UK and the Martello Tower Repair Fund.
Club captain Richard Seaman said: “We were delighted to create a unique event for our members, we were blessed with lovely weather and it was wonderful to see so many members taking part and enjoying the fun of the day.
“Hitting golf balls from the top of the Martello Tower certainly gave us a whole new perspective and appreciation for the place that we are fortunate to play golf in. For many members this was their first time in the Tower, and many were in awe of the historic significance of this iconic building.”
Prior to the event a special platform was built by TBF Scaffolding and the ‘Martello Challenge’ was sponsored by MSC, Felixstowe Ferry Professional Shop, Seven Hills Crematorium and Titleist Golf.
Felixstowe head professional Andrew Robinson spent 10 hours at the top of the tower and managed to beat around 85% of the members!
The special build platform was also used in early July by the club to shoot a video at sunrise, highlighting the fact its has an iconic feature as part of its golf course.