PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
PAC Annual Golf Day 2024
Purley Downs Golf Club
Friday 20th September 2024
The weather leading up to the PAC golf day had been a heady cocktail of winter and autumnal uncertainty. The day itself, however, was blessed by the golfing gods and grinning Rockhoppers: glorious sunshine and perfect conditions for driving hooks, slices and divots across Croydon’s finest fairways. Purley Downs Golf Club provided a gorgeous setting for the 11th annual PAC Golf Day, our thanks to George Ashton for arranging the venue. Nine teams gathered in the clubhouse at 11.00am for coffee, bacon butties and the chance to catch up with old friends, check their order for tee-off and discover the format for the competition. The PAC Claret Jug, polished the night before, sat proudly on the first Tee-Box to tantalize and inspire each team.
The practice putting green and the bar-staff were put to work early whilst the indoor driving net was left well alone: preparation befitting the warm up routine for generations of Guy’s and GKT rugby teams; it was noted that one group played keep-ee-up-ee with a golf ball and another attempted some drop-goals with a fluffy penguin door-stop. Registration in the bar was organized and co-ordinated by Charlie Gush supported by George Ashton, Immie Gush, and Jamie Dunbar: most efficient and a great start to the day. Thanks also to Paul Harwood and George who sorted and explained the format to all the Captains and then managed the score cards at the close. With admin complete and sufficient hydration on board the first team were underway with a large crowd of supporters and fellow players cheering them off from the clubhouse balcony.
The course was challenging, hilly and long but the greens ran true and fast. Teams crossed paths frequently, and there was universal agreement that it was lovely seeing people you know in front, behind and in the team beside you. Of course, it’s competitive but with a genuine Corinthian spirit and ribaldry that makes these PAC Golf Days a truly special calendar item. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition despite the previous week’s rain. There were stalwarts aplenty taking part along with returning teams and some new faces joining the fray. Special thanks to Captains Terry Dwyer, Paul Harwood, Gerry Murphy and Andy Mathieson who return each year with their players (named below); it was a shame that last year’s winners ‘Bickley Boys’, could not be here to defend their title.
It's traditional that PAC buggies roam the course offering refreshments to the players: thanks again this year to Charlie, Ronnie, Immie and Jamie. (To qualify for this role your name must end with ‘ie’!) The first prize-hole was the longest-drive on the 5th; Paul Harwood was the early contender, pipped to the bottle of Fizz by Nihal Faiz. The next challenge came at the 15th, a tricky par 3 for nearest the pin. This was a closely fought contest and won by the final group Captained by Alan Mistlin: the winner was Ian Francis. Alan collected the Cava in his absence, and I cannot be sure the bottle left the Clubhouse intact.
As we wound our way through hedges, thick grass and fairways, the locals and Club Members were so welcoming and genuinely interested in who we were, where our funds go and ‘Why Penguins?’ It’s wonderful that PAC Golf reaches new pastures each year reflecting the spreading support and wider awareness of Penguins Against Cancer. Regardless of levels, handicaps and seasoned club players, everyone was smiling and clearly enjoying their golf and the community spirit that flows across this event. As teams completed the 18th, they gradually filled the balcony at the clubhouse overlooking the grounds. As the final groups, sliced, searched and chipped, the preparations for dinner in the clubhouse were underway with the raffle and auction prizes competing for space on the table.
Left: Longest Drive. Nihal Faiz
Right: Nearest the pin. Alan Mistlin on behalf of Ian Francis
John Costello’s Team (58.4) won the coveted PAC Claret Jug and a bottle of Fizz each. Nipping at their heels in second place (58.6) was Paul Harwood’s Team, and in third on (59.2) was Ben Settle and the Student A Team. PAC has raised and disbursed £545,000 and the annual golf day contributes significantly, enabling further PAC grants to organisations who treat cancer, run cancer research programmes or provide palliative care for cancer patients. Most important is that you all become PAC members so that we strengthen PAC’s 3 Cancer Research Awards and so that you as members can nominate where the money goes.
Post golf supper was excellent; Sam Bridge and Izzy Staffurth joined us for dinner and the young medics and students kept the bar open and the games flowing into the small hours. Alan and Pat spoke about the work the charity does, PAC Membership, essential support for palliative care and PAC Research Awards. Pat’s Magic Raffle saw penguins, spirits, champagne, wine and a variety of creative gifts fly off the prize table. A small auction thanks to some generous donors helped boost the total raised on the day. Bespoke Private Tour of Hampton Court Palace for 2 – Entry plus 2-hour Private Guided Tour & each guest a pint of fine ale in The Swan [Thanks to Geraint Thomason]. 1 night Bed and Breakfast at the historic Swan Inn, in the Lake District village of Grasmere, below Helvellyn [Thanks to Charlie Beardmore]. 4 Ball [donated by Purley Downs Golf Club]. £400 worth of Teeth Whitening & Consultation [Thanks to Guy Barwell: The Implant Centre]. 2 tickets for the DP World Golf Tournament at Wentworth [Thanks to John Costello].
Next year, PAC Golf Day is at Hever Castle on Friday 12th September 2025: John Costello is once more kindly hosting. It will certainly be a big event. Book your teams now by sending me a £100 Deposit to secure your 4 ball: it will be busy, very popular and we would love to see you and your teams again. A massive thanks to all of you who attended and support PAC Golf Day, overall the event raised £1953 for PAC.
Please contact me if you have an item or experience you would like to donate for future auctions.
Players & Teams: Paul Harwood, Will Harwood, James Lambton, Scott Stoneham, Johnny Staffurth, Pat Gush, Ben Staffurth, Ryan Spragg, John Costello, Tim Earl, Ian Buckley, Jack Costello, Andy Mathieson, Pietro Panetta, Toby Brown, Robbie Mathieson, Terry Dwyer, Gwyn Pugh, Ben Phillips, Mike Titterton, Gerry Murphy, Steve Farmer, Ralph Bull, Paul Summers, George Ashton, Toby Davis, Will Berg, Joshua John, Benn Settle, Bilal Rayes, Nihal Faiz, Saif Toubasey, Alan Mistlin, Coleman Carpenter, Simon Rothwell, Ian Francis
PAC Golf Flyer 20 09 2024
PAC Golf Flyer 20 09 2024