A GOLF Club has renamed the clubhouse bar area after a family who have supported the club since the beginning in 1874.

Seaton Carew Golf Club has renamed its fully refurbished bar area 'The Bunting Lounge' to celebrate a proud family’s long association approaching 150 years.

Family and friends of the Buntings were in attendance as club members and its committee gathered to mark the occasion.

Derek Bunting and Seaton Carew president Mick Chalk unveiled a plaque to commemorate its renaming to ‘The Bunting Lounge’.

Derek, aged 89, who now lives close to Formby Golf Club, in Lancashire, then headed down the first hole to tee off on the links where his brother Edward was such a respected figure before his passing in November last year.

Edward was twice captain at Seaton Carew, in 1975 and 2000 and was, like his father and brother Derek, an active member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

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Seaton Carew captain Norman Bagley said: “When Edward died and made his bequest to the club, we had to recognise him in a way that very few are.

“This club is nearly 150 years old, so historically to confer the status of a lounge in his name, these things are generational. He would love to have been here to see it.

“Edward and his family have served the club incredibly over the years. The lounge being named in honour of the Buntings means people will always come in and ask questions about Edward and his family.”

The Northern Echo: Derek Bunting and Mick Chalk officially unveil the new Bunting Lounge plaque at Seaton Carew GC;

In his unveiling speech, Derek Bunting said: “I joined Seaton Carew when I was 14.

"We had just come out of the war, so there was barbed wire around because it was a possible invasion beach.

“The club have done the Bunting family the great honour of naming this wonderful club room the Bunting Lounge to recognise our family’s deep involvement in the club’s history.

"Edward loved this club. Golf was his life.”

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