PRESS RELEASE
May 2018

Golf day proves perfect to a tee

Representatives from across the independent merchanting sector recently enjoyed the opportunity to network and indulge in a spot of competitive fun courtesy of the 2018 NMBS/BMGS Golf Day. 

This year, the annual event took place on Wednesday May 30^th and was held at Woburn Golf and Country Club, Buckinghamshire. It was once again staged in partnership with the Building Materials Golf Society (BMGS).

Over 100 players drawn from across NMBS' 1000+ merchant members and 600 building industry supply partners turned out on the day for a round on The Duke's Course, which is set against the stunning backdrop of Woburn Abbey and its historical estate. 

Designed by respected golfer turned golf course architect, Charles Lawrie, the 6,983 yard Duke's Course opened in 1976 and has been described by Today's Golfer as a ‘masterpiece'. 

Home to the British Masters for 20 years and also host to the Women's British Open in 2016, the course regularly ranks amongst the top 100 courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

It sports fairways lined with pine, silver birch and chestnut trees whilst heather, bracken and gorse add to the course's charm and provide natural hazards. 

The day featured a shotgun start which enabled all players to tee off and finish at a similar time.

After all players had completed the course, a number of prizes were awarded including:

Best individual score:

1st place - Harvey Knight - Excel Plumbing Supplies

2nd place - Stuart Smith - Gardners World & Building Supplies

3rd place - Graham Richards - BMGS 

Longest drive - Tony Milbery - Bathroom & Plumbing Superstore

Nearest the pin - John Groves - BMGS

Winning team:

Peter Fletcher - Polypipe

Jonathan Eyre - Polypipe

Bill Acton - BMGS

Dave Karling - Newcastle Plumbing & Heating Supplies
 

Sam Hunt, events manager at NMBS, said of the golf day: "The annual golf day is one of a number of events staged by NMBS which enable our merchant members and supplier partners to network and to build mutually beneficial business relationships.

"We're delighted that this year's event was so well supported and we would like to thank everyone who attended.

"The feedback from those who took part has been wholly positive and not even the rain managed to dampen their enthusiasm - or enjoyment."

- ENDS - 

Images:

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NMBS Golf Day individual winner­.jpg

Caption:
Business meets pleasure.NMBS members and suppliers enjoyed the chance to network over a round of golf at the buying society's 2018 annual golf day.

For more information on this story, contact Wayne Leith atwayne.leith@nmbs.co.uk 

Notes to editors:

• NMBS (National Merchant Buying Society) is the UK's largest buying group for independent builder's, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants.

• Since its formation over 50 years ago in 1963, NMBS has continued to grow and evolve. Today it represents more 1000 merchant members and enjoys collective buying power in excess of £1.7BN. It uses this buying power to negotiate favourable prices and terms for members from over 600 brand leading, building industry suppliers.

• Collectively, NMBS members operate more than 3000 branches nationwide and achieve annual sales of £7BN. This equates to approximately 40% of the value of the entire merchanting sector.

• Further value-adding services offered by NMBS include credit insurance, marketing support and access to a dedicated and secure portal known as the ‘Report Centre'. This enables members and suppliers to deal with many day-to-day transactional requirements online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• NMBS also stages regular networking, knowledge sharing and trading events that bring together both its members and suppliers. These events include the NMBS Golf Day, the NMBS Gala Dinner, the NMBS Dinner Dance, the NMBS All-Industry Conference and the NMBS Exhibition.

• As part of its commitment to ‘Strengthening Independents', NMBS not only delivers services and events to enhance the profitability and success of its members but also acts as a voice and as a champion for the independent merchanting sector.

• For more information on NMBS, visit www.nmbs.co.uk