TONY PENNELLI

It is with much sorrow that we have to report that Tony Pennelli, the organiser of the Kirby Muxloe GC’s substantial contribution to the “powered wheelchair campaign” died suddenly on Wednesday 3 December.

During his 14 years at the helm of the club’s appeal, a significant milestone was reached in 2008 when, at their annual Wheelchair AM-AM in September, the 50^th, 51^st and 52^nd chairs were presented to local children from the Ash Field School. Tony had recently relinquished his role as the main organiser and was in the process of handing over the reins to Les Warren, who confirms that two further chairs will be presented at the club’s Charity Christmas Luncheon next Sunday. It will be sad that Tony will not be there to witness the inevitable smiles of the children when they receive their chairs. Peter Alliss said “It is stalwarts, in the cast of such men as Tony, who have created the solid foundation of what we are achieving, in raising funds to help many handicapped youngsters who would, otherwise, not have had the opportunities in life that the chairs make possible”.

Kirby Muxloe GC will be the poorer for losing Tony who was looking forward to becoming President of the club in the near future. The thoughts of everyone involved with the Peter Alliss Masters are with Tony’s wife Eileen at this sad time.

Tony is pictured on the left at the presentation dinner of the Peter Alliss Masters in October this year. Alongside him are Les Warren, Alistair Knight, winner of the Green Jacket, Peter Alliss and Sam Saunt, Captain of Kirby Muxloe GC. Tony is also pictured with Alex Hay and at the hospitality tent at the 10^th, both at Elie at the Peter Alliss Masters Tournament.