Designed and fabricated in-house by the engineering teams at White Cross Ring Ltd and Yorgrip Ltd, the 2026 SMI Golf Challenge trophies have now moved from concept to finished pieces, with only the final finishing process left to complete.
Tom Horner (MD) added, “Our creation of the Sheet Metal Industries 2026 Golf Challenge trophies has been a challenge in itself. Whilst trying to create trophies that fit the bill, but at the same time trying to incorporate our services here at White Cross Ring Ltd was at times difficult, but I must admit I have enjoyed how they have developed.” That development is now complete, with all trophies built.
Five Trophies, Five Processes
The winner’s trophy leans on White Cross Ring‘s “bread and butter” work, rolled angle flanges with holes, the central space is formed from the company’s own aluminium walkway product, supplied by Yorgrip.
The overall winning team’s trophy is bent tube off the BLM Elect machine, producing a striking, sculptural piece. Longest drive sees the tube rolled, curved and twisted to emulate a ball in flight, while the closest to the pin showcases finer work in 6mm stainless round bar, shaped largely on the new CBC-Mini-Calandra-Ring-Roller from Tubela.
The wooden spoon, for the tournament’s ‘best worst player’, resulted in a coiled piece forming the shaft of a spoon-shaped trophy — proof the fun prize still got proper craftsmanship.
A Team Effort
The design direction came from White Cross Ring‘s own team, exploring what could be achieved at a small scale. Fabrication was carried out by Grace Williams, the company’s apprentice welder — a showcase of new talent coming through the trade.
Jas Rai Sheet Metal Industries MD added, “These trophies are not just golf prizes but a working portfolio demonstrating collaboration, art, metal fabrication, welding and tube manipulation. I’d like to thank the team at White Cross Ring, clearly Grace has had fun in the process and for everyone’s attention to detail and sheer creativity in manufacturing these items.”
The MD’s View
Tom credits the team. “I’m genuinely pleased with the creativity my team has shown. It would have been easy to play it safe, but instead they pushed themselves to try things we haven’t done before, and Grace has done a brilliant job bringing it all together. I can’t wait to see the finished trophies presented to the winners.”
Next Up: The Finishing Stage
With all trophies fabricated, the project moves into its final phase of finishing. This turns raw, welded metalwork into presentation-ready works of art — surface finishing, polishing and detailing. It’s the least visible part of the process, but it’s what separates a good weld from a trophy worth lifting.
