In the Rough, the event industry annual charity golf day has raised £7,000 for good causes.

This year's event was sponsored by The NEC and held at the Forest of Arden Championship course near Birmingham on 17th July 2014. It is brought to you by ESSA, (Event Supplier and Services Association), supported by AEO (Association of Event Organisers), AEV (Association of Event Venues) and industry promotional body FaceTime. Organisers, venues and service suppliers take part in a day that combines fun, entertainment and a chance to network.

The glorious sunshine and heat didn’t put the 72 players off, as 18 teams of four set off from their allotted tees at the 11am shotgun start. After five hours of golf, the teams retired to the bar for drinks and networking before convening for a three-course dinner, prize-giving and charity auction.

Graham Stephenson of the Business Design Centre (BDC) won the gold medal with a score of 39 points, and The Lord's Taverners won the team prize.

Christ Skeith, ESSA Director, commented: “I think our teams excelled themselves this year, exceeding last year's total raised, and really entered into the spirit of the event.

“A great deal of fun was had by all and I'm grateful to this year's event and tee sponsors for making it all possible.”

The money raised supports both a UK and Overseas Charity. This year the funds will be shared between Events for Namuwongo and The Lord’s Taverners.

In The Rough was supported by a raft of sponsors including headline sponsor NEC and event partners Exhibition News, ASP, Jungheinrich Material Handling and Hawtrey Dene.

The event was organised by ESSA and the cross association steering group, composed of Luke Facey of Alfa Displays, Graham Stephenson of BDC and Paul MacDonald of Centaur.

Next year's In The Rough event moves to The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, and will take place on 16 July 2015.

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