TWENTY friends enjoyed a golfing trip to Mallorca in memory of former Ringway Golf Club member Paul Keefe who died last year.

His wife Claire, also a member at Ringway GC, said: “Paul had quite a few weekends away in the last 25 years, playing golf around the world with different groups of friends from the Navy, Tatton Arms pub in Altrincham, Ringway and Hale golf clubs.

“This gave him the idea that he wanted all his golf friends to have a weekend away in Mallorca playing golf in his memory.

"He asked his best friend, Peter Fitzpatrick, to organise it and left him £10,000 to do so.

“Paul knew he didn’t have long but sat with Peter and chose who was to go, where etc, he did like to organise things and be in charge.

“In total 22 people went and the money paid for everything except flights, all 20 plus myself and Paul’s sons Tom and Sam got a golf towel, balls and tee bag with ‘Paul Keefe Classic Mallorca Tour 2017’ embossed on it.

“The trip was extremely well organised by Peter and everyone had a great time, and it was also very emotional, so much so, that next year on the Thursday before the annual TAGS/Navy weekend they are all going to meet and play golf at Ringway in Paul’s memory.

“Even though some of them didn’t know each other, they all got on very well. Tommy Griffiths was determined to win for Paul and he did, giving a very emotional speech.

“Paul joined the navy in 1980 and served on HMS Churchill before he left in 1990 and set up his own electrical contracting business with Simon Kelly

“Paul’s parents ran the Tatton Arms in Altrincham from 1980 to 1997

“He loved all sport but was particularly keen on football and golf, playing football locally for the Tatton and Timperley and he also played football, rugby and cricket for HMSM Churchill.

“In 1987 he organised a charity football match involving his navy friends and Tatton Arms friends playing against Man United veterans and they raised a large amount of money for Elizabeth Fitzroy homes.

“Around 1982 the Tatton Arms had a golf society with Paul’s dad Tom being an honorary member and Paul organised a weekend away in Wales where the Navy played against TAGS – this has continued every year since and it ends on the Sunday at our house with BBQ, speeches etc, and it still went ahead this year on Paul’s wishes, and will continue.

“Paul was a wonderful man, very popular, loyal, hard-working and a friend for life.”