Over the last couple of months, our Gibson research team went deep into the archives and unearthed pictures from one of our favorite events, with one of our most treasured customers.
In 2004, West Bend Mutual Insurance president and CEO Rocky Dedrick asked us to create an exclusive golf trip to England and host a few of West Bends top performing agents. We chose to develop an itinerary that included unique style courses, steeped in tradition, and offering our client a completely different experience than a typically golf trip to Scotland or Ireland. Not that those trips are not special, we were just up for the challenge to create something more memorable and different.
We arrived in London and ventured north east to Norfolk.
The group stayed in beautiful traditional Inns including The White Horse in Brancaster and the Red Lion in the City of Lincoln. In Norfolk, we played two magnificent golf courses, Hunstanton and Brancaster. Not only are these courses the top of the line, but both are brimming over with color and tradition. On the third day, West Bend sponsored a horse race at Fakenham Racecourse. While at the races, we were able to obtain the naming rights of the 6:45pm race. No better name for the final race than “The Rocky Dedrick Celebration Novices’ Hurdle”, in honor of the retiring president. Quite fittingly, the race was won by an Irish horse named Fantastic Champion at odds of 3 to 1. After the rush and excitement of Fantastic Champion crossing the finish line, Rocky awarded the winning jockey a bottle of 1999 Veuve Clicquot and he was joined by agents Cal Simmonds and Ken Reisch.
The trip continued to Lincolnshire and a game at the famed Woodhall Spa ranked #57 in the world, what a treat! We concluded our trip with a day of golf at The Belfry, followed by a special dinner with the Secretary of the British PGA. Not only did he bring along great stories, but the actual Ryder Cup trophy itself. Iconic! Each of the lads got to hold this precious piece of golf history, an opportunity few golfers ever have the chance to experience.
We are grateful for these memories and especially the long-lasting relationship with West Bend Mutual and their agents. Thank you!