5 Star Events has been arranging society golf for over 30 years, raising substantial funds to support a range of charities in the Oxford area.
History
The first Five Star event was played in 1990 at North Oxford GC with cricketing golfers competing for the Richard Pineo Shield. In 1993 the Oxfordshire Cricketers team event began, followed by the Phil Garner Trophy in 1995 and the Liz Harris Cup in 1997. Further development came in 2001 with the Barry Yates Cup, followed by the Five Star Masters and Celebrity Day for the Tony Buck Trophy in 2002. The Cricketers event was replaced by the Five Star Team Competition from 2005-2011, and resurrected in 2015 and 2016 to play Cotswold Hills.
Five Star Events have managed 170 events until the end of 2024, played at leading golf courses, highlighted by the 50th and 100th events at Frilford Heath. In 2004 the guest speaker was PGA professional John Sterling, and in 2011 celebrity Willie Thorne and President Steve Styles. Five Star Presidents have been leading supporters of our events: Ray Hawes (2009-10), Steve Styles (2011-12), Graham Hobbins (2013-14), Les Harris (2015-16), Arthur Ball (2017-18), Collyn Fell (2019), Jim Elkins (2020-21), Brian Kay (2022) Clive Alcock (2023) and Martin Southey (2024).
A major initiative started in 2000 with Five Star supporting a local charity with an annual donation. Over 23 years, twenty different charities have benefited with total donations of over £183,000, highlighted by a record £13,000 to UCARE in 2016. Five Star have been excellently supported by over 50 sponsors, who generously contribute to our fundraising, helped by Vice Presidents’ donations, David Duckham’s sporting dinners and Barclays Bank. Five Star have invited a celebrity each year since 2002; these celebrities have visited for the end of season Celebrity Day and presented our Charity cheque annually. We have been honoured to be supported by these great sportsmen and sportswomen.
Events completed up to the end of 2024
Richard Pineo Shield 34 events to date, Cricketers/Team Event 21, Barry Yates Cup 23, Liz Harris Cup 25, Five Star Masters 20, Tony Buck Trophy 22
Courses Used
Wychwood 24 events, Frilford Heath 37, North Oxford 17, Tadmarton Heath 18, Studley Wood 25, Huntercombe 16, Oxfordshire 6, Burford 17, Cotswold Hills 5, Cotswolds Club 2, Wrag Barns 2, Buckingham 1.
Presidents:
Ray Hawes (2009-10), Steve Styles (2011-12), Graham Hobbins (2013-2014), Les Harris (2015-2016), Arthur Ball (2017-2018), Collyn Fell (2019), Jim Elkins (2020 – 2021), Brian Kay (2022), Clive Alcock (2023) and Martin Southey (2024).
Holes in one:
Arthur Ball (Wychwood) 2006, Richard Pineo (Tadmarton) 2011, Keith Edwards (Studley Wood) 2013, Ken Appleby (Burford) 2022, Ian Wilson (Wrag Barn) 2023
Charities Supported
| Year | Charity | Amount | Celebrity | President |
| 2000 | Oxford Dyslexic Ass | £1000 | ||
| 2001 | Riding for the Disabled | £1000 | ||
| 2002 | Douglas House | £1500 | Tim Henman | |
| 2003 | Thomley Activity Centre | £2500 | John Francome | |
| 2004 | ROSY | £3500 | David Howell | |
| 2005 | ACE Centre | £5500 | Matt Dawson | |
| 2006 | SEE-SAW | £7500 | Martin Keown | |
| 2007 | OSCAR | £6000 | Steve Rider | |
| 2008 | Special Effect | £7300 | Mick Fitzgerald | |
| 2009 | Bridewell Gardens | £3500 | Andrew Wingfield-Digby | Ray Hawes |
| 2010 | Samantha Dickson Trust | £11000 | Charlie Ross & Jonathan Batty | Ray Hawes |
| 2011 | Footsteps Foundation | £7500 | Willie Thorne | Steve Styles |
| 2012 | Oakleigh School | £10000 | Mark Lawrenson | Steve Styles |
| 2013 | ROSY & RDA (New Yatt) | £9500 | Jeremy Charles | Graham Hobbins |
| 2014 | Special Effect | £12000 | Richard Ellison | Graham Hobbins |
| 2015 | Child Bereavement UK | £12500 | Simon Halliday | Les Harris |
| 2016 | UCare | £13320 | Sarah Stirk/ Charlie Ross | Les Harris |
| 2017 | SEE-SAW | £12500 | Eddie Pepperell/ Samantha Head | Arthur Ball |
| 2018 | Young Dementia | £11500 | Tim Brooke-Taylor | Arthur Ball |
| 2019 | Flexicare & RDA (New Yatt) | £11000 | Dermot Gallagher | Collyn Fell |
| 2020 | Not [;payed due to Covid | |||
| 2021 | Lords Taverners | £9000 | Mike Gatting | Jim Elkins |
| 2022 | ROSY and Lawrence Home Nursing Team | £7500 | Richard Phillips | Brian Kay |
| 2023 | Young Dementia | £8000 | Peter Rhoades-Brown | Clive Alcock |
| 2024 | UCare | £8,500 | Tim Munton | Martin Southey |
| £183,100 |
Thanks to all Players, Sponsors, Vice-Presidents, Barclays Bank, David Duckham dinners for their support.