Former golf captain remembered in community event

Family and friends came together and played golf in memory of a former captain and grandfather.

A memorial event was held on Friday, June 24, to remember and celebrate the life of 73-year-old Robert (Bob) Mavis, a former captain at Newbury and Crookham Golf Club.

The event held in his memory raised just under £3,000, which went towards tackling homelessness in Newbury.

Mr Mavis, a Newbury resident who passed away from coronavirus on December 12, was a member of the golf club for 40 years and would have turned 74 last Wednesday (June 29).

Organiser and daughter of Mr Mavis, Louise Arthur, said: “We weren’t expecting it, he was only in ICU because it was precautionary. It was between four or five in the morning.

“We then got a call to say he was not great. It was all a bit of a shock, it is surreal even now.”

Mrs Arthur said the event was a celebration that she would do all over again if she could.

“It was everything and more, it was to be a celebration of dad’s life and it certainly was that,” she said.

“There was a lot of people. Players, golfers, family and friends. A lot of people have since said it was very good and that they had not had such an atmosphere at the club like that on Friday for a long time.”

She added: “It was so overwhelming to be with his friends and with family and the staff as well.”

Mrs Arthur said her father was a “great support” to both her and his grandchildren, supporting them all and offering advice where he could.

The community event, which was “well attended” by a total of 52 golfers, saw 11-year-old grandson Max teeing off the first hole.

Her husband Geoff Arthur said: “A great day was had, a really great day. It was great fun and for such a worthwhile cause.

“Bob was a former captain in 2004 and the golf club was a massive part of his life.

“He was Newbury born and bred, he would buy a paper copy of the Newbury Weekly News every week.

“He was always in the clubhouse telling stories, we was a social man through and through.”

He added: “He was incredibly generous and full of life, he liked nothing but spending time with his family.”

The event also saw raffle prize donations from around 30 local businesses.

Mr Arthur said: “On the day people were just putting £20 into the raffle and saying ‘put that into the funds’, there was so much generosity.”

Mr Arthur said the atmosphere was a “natural fit” for the “loved and respected” man.

“It was a perfect day and a great send off.”