Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Two housewares trade associations – bira and BHETA – battled it out in the inaugural ‘Tussle on the Turf’ golf masters challenge competition last month.
Cookshop, DIY, hardware and retailer members of bira (British Independent Retailers Association) won the competition against housewares, DIY and hardware and supplier members of BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association).
A total of 40 delegates took part in the event, which was held on July 20, at The Welcombe Golf Club in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire.
The golf challenge is the resurrection of the old ‘Battle of the Sectors’ golf competition that used to take place in the early noughties between what was then known as the BHF (British Hardware Federation) – now bira – and the BHHMA (British Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers’ Association) – now BHETA.
BHETA executive director Paul Grinsell, whose idea it was to resurrect and refresh the challenge, commented: “It’s entirely appropriate that our organisations should continue to work more closely together as we both have a vested interest in seeing our housewares and DIY members – suppliers and retailers – doing well together!
“The fact that they also come together in a networking and more social environment via the Tussle on the Turf Golf Day goes to show you can mix business with pleasure. BHETA looks forward to developing the golf day and other initiatives going forward with bira.”
Jeff Moody, managing director of bira direct, added: “What was a very relaxed but friendly competition resulted in an excellent day for both manufacturers and retailers from the housewares and DIY industry. It was a great opportunity for people to talk in a relaxed environment, which made this event a great success. We’re already planning the next one.”
Apart from bira winning the overall prize on the day, individual winners were:
-Top Team – LG Harris
-Top Lady – Jayne Tee-Boon (Creative Tops)
-Individual Winner – Nigel Wright – Stax Trade Centres
-Individual runner up – Matt Aston – LG Harris
-Longest Drive – Nick Tabiner (Select Hardware)
-Nearest the Pin – Vijay Sahdev (Avron Direct)
The date for the 2017 event is July 19. The venue is once again at The Welcombe Golf Club. Its championship standard 18-hole course is set in 157 acres of Warwickshire countryside. Having hosted the European Seniors Tour Ryder Event in 1998, it provides a tricky round for players of all abilities.
BHETA executive director Paul Grinsell (right) presents the trophy to bira direct managing director Jeff Moody
