A murder within the grounds of a local golf club may sound like the easy-to-read run-of-the-mill fayre from within the pages of a cosy crime caper.
But Tandragee Golf Club is preparing for such an event – and it’s all for a most worthwhile cause.
The date is in the diary, March 21, when amateur sleuths are invited to join club members and put their little grey cells to the test.
The Murder Mystery night will be savoured alongside a delicious meal and is currently being plotted and planned.
The evening is the brainchild of the club’s three newly-in-place dignitaries, who are hoping to raise as much money as they possibly can to support the vital work of the Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) charity.
Taking up their roles towards the end of January, for the first time in the Tandragee Golf club’s history, the Lady Captain and Mr Captain are a husband-and-wife team. And Hammy and Vivienne Loney are joined in their endeavours by current Club President, Mr Colin Wallace.
Tandragee Golf Club celebrated its centenary in 2020 and is understandably proud of its longevity, history and place at the heart of the local community.
For the Murder Mystery, Isaac Beattie is something of a maestro, as the man tasked with creating the puzzling scenario is no stranger to such things.
He will marry murder with mischief, history with humour and intrigue with introspection.
Lady Captain, Vivienne Loney
And his murder most foul which shall unfold will be set in a year which predates the club’s foundation, drawing on both fact and fiction in creating the parts, introducing witnesses as each course of the delicious three course menu is served.
“We did a bit of research into it and were given a contact name of somebody that was able to do that,” said Vivienne.
And that’s where Isaac excels; with a team of four professional actors, suitably attired in period dress, he was happy to oblige…
Without giving too much away – as even the club dignitaries are being kept in the dark – Vivienne explained the format: “With regards this Murder Mystery night, it is over an evening. He sets it in 1913, so there’s a bit of history and it’s about a murder on the estate. There’ll be opportunity for participation from those attending the evening.
Mr Captain Hamilton Loney.
“Obviously answers from witnesses are given and we know from previous experience that sometimes if anybody’s getting too close, then Isaac, the maestro, is able to twist the tale. Following the final witness and summing up, then the marking and telling the answer followed by conclusion and prize giving, rounds off the evening.
“And during the course of the evening we also hope to have a raffle for a hamper kindly donated by Forest Feast, Kestrel Foods Ltd and spot prizes which will see additional funds raised for the charity.”
That charity, as stated, is NI Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) and it will benefit from the proceeds over the course of the year in office of the three dignitaries.
“Chest heart and stroke affects a lot of people and it’s close to a significant number of families in general population including golf clubs,: explained Vivienne. “Even though golf is meant to be a healthy sport, it still does have people who suffer from the various conditions.
“NI Chest, Heart and Stroke charity are 80 years old this year. It’s interesting, because when we did more research, it was founded originally by 16 volunteers to do with the tuberculosis crisis at that stage. So interestingly, the impetus for starting the charity was from the chest aspect.”
Previous causes supported by dignitaries at Tandragee Golf Club have included cancer charities and the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance to mention a few.
Club President Colin Wallace
In selecting their chosen charity for the year ahead, the current trio at the proverbial helm were conscious that “one in three people are actually living with chest heart and stroke” conditions in Northern Ireland, so the “statistics still prove themselves”, in terms of the frequency of life-threatening and altering issues which are in great need of research and support.
Said Vivienne: “The selection of a single charity for the year by all three, perhaps arose as a result of the ‘one club model’ approach adopted by Tandragee Golf Club two years previous. This essentially means all members, regardless of gender, have access to tee times, council positions and membership categories.”
For Hammy, he has previously held the office of Vice-Captain, Mr Captain and President. Vivienne – who joined Tandragee Golf Club during her husband’s first year as Mr Captain in 2015 – is assuming office for the first time. She had previously served on committee and, following her retirement from work, two years ago this April, now feels she has the time to devote to the busy schedule which the role of Lady Captain carries.
Husband Hammy had been President up until two years ago, then had a year off as office-bearer before becoming Mr Captain for the 12 months ahead. The ‘one club model’ approach embraced by Tandragee means the Presidential period of two-years in office has now changed, instead alternating between male and female candidates, on a single-year basis, with Colin Wallace now in place.
As far as charity is concerned, it is an approach which will prove beneficial to both club and charity, and Vivienne confirmed: “We’ve already met with the charity representative and they are helping us with the practicalities.”
Tandragee Golf Club – and NI Chest Heart and Stroke – are extremely lucky to have Vivienne’s organisational skills and commitment to the fore.
For this is not her first fundraising rodeo and she fully understands the practicalities and what can be achieved with fastidious planning and forethought.
“I was part of a team involved in production of a cookery book for the golf club, which raised monies through that,” after acquiring sponsorship to cover printing costs,” she explained.
It is expected that raffles will take place periodically for the charity. And then charity donations from Lady Captain’s Day, Mr Captain’s Day and President’s Day should also help to swell the coffers substantially.
“Generally speaking, a couple of events throughout the year are planned,” explained Vivienne, adding that the grand sum of all proceeds will be presented at the end of their year in office, when charity representatives will come along to Tandragee Golf Club.
“We do have a good footfall in Tandragee Golf Club from the locals who attend the Club Restaurant, Dukes Bistro, quiz nights and ‘Annual Night at the Races’, however we would like to encourage more people into the club, at the same time as raising funds for charity and wanting for them to have an enjoyable night,” she added.
The Murder Mystery night will take place at Tandragee Golf Club on Saturday, March 21, at 7pm, Tickets are priced at £40 per person, including a three-course meal, and are available to purchase from Tandragee Golf Club, either contact 028 3884 1272 Option 2, or visit the Club, opening hours 12 noon to 8pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
