our history & TROPHIES

Our association has a long and proud history, formed at a meeting chaired by  W Bro J Varty of Paulinus Lodge No 3957 in Lincoln on 1 December 1922 with the intent of raising money for the Lincolnshire Masonic Charity Association.

Other lodges across Lincolnshire quickly joined the association and it was agreed that regional competitions would be held, with a final at which the Provincial Grand Master, The Earl of Yarborough and the Deputy W Bro T Kitwood would be invited to take part.

In 1923, one of our founder members, Bro S V Hotchkin, the owner of Woodhall Spa Golf Course, offered the use of the course for the association and following the success of the competition he offered to present a silver trophy for subsequent winners, a tradition which continues to this day. The following year the final was held at Seacroft Golf Club, where £136 1s was handed to the Lincolnshire Charity Association. Subsequent years saw Grimsby GC being played in 1925, Belton Park in 1926, dinner at the George Hotel 5 shillings and 6 pence (26p), Cleethorpes GC 1927, and Lincoln GC (Torksey) 1929. 1930 saw the Minutes being recorded by Bro Wright Holmes and the introduction of the ‘Bald-Headed section’ (!), and the purchase of a Challenge Cup engraved with the names of brethren who had offered to subscribe to the cost. Other trophies have been added over the years and we now have 14 which have been donated from different lodges and individuals.

2014 saw the inclusion of a further trophy donated by the Spavin family who had already donated the Jesse Spavin Trophy in memory of W Bro Jesse Spavin who was Secretary for a number of years. The latest trophy is the Roy Spavin statuette and is played for by those taking part in both the Spring and Autumn meetings. The winner is the player with the best nett medal score for both events. It was very appropriate that the first winner was W Bro Steve Spavin, W Bro Roy’s son.

The total funds raised for charity by the association now stands at just over £47,000, we are looking to make that £50,000 by the time we conclude our celebrations for our Centenary year in 2023, delayed due to Covid restrictions in 2022.

As we look forward to the Centenary in 2023 with a comprehensive programme of events I hope the aims of the founders of having fun, friendship and helping charity will be maintained. This is still the watch word of the Association, and it is hoped with your support we will be able to say in our 100th year that we are achieving both greater success and participation.

W Bro Mick Wright
Secretary, 2022

(A full unabridged history of the Association can be found here)

Each year we hold a series of competitions and play for the the following trophies. There’s some fantastic silverware to be photographed with, unfortunately you don’t get to take them home!