PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
PAC Annual Golf Day 2017
Dale Hill Golf Club, Ticehurst, East Sussex
Saturday 17th June 2017
The 2017 Penguins Against Cancer Golf-Fest
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The venue was, as last year, Dale Hill Golf Club in Ticehurst but the weather could not have been more of a contrast. One of the hottest days of the year greeted the tournament’s participants: vast in number, buoyed with anticipation and competitive spirit and resplendent in the brightest golf attire - determined to win the coveted Trouser Trophy. The weather-wise and the lazy had arranged buggies and were ready for the ‘shot-gun’ start. For some the heat, the pressure and the 18-hole journey without sufficient hydration or beer cart would soon take its toll.
While we were golfing, the non-players and supporters had planned a country-walk for a prosecco-fuelled lunch. They were cut short at the cheese course, summoned by desperately thirsty players, and they came, like the cavalry to the rescue. A fleet of buggies driven by hydro-angels arrived at the 10th with supplies, provided for those without drink or shelter and then they vanished, as if a mirage.
Andy Skyrme once again organised a fabulous day which began with breakfast and the professional registration system led brilliantly by Karen. The auction items and raffle prizes were on display and there were some super donations: lunch at SKYTOP at the Gherkin; Holiday Apartment in Puerto Banus; signed shirts, rounds of golf and B&B at the George, Alfriston. A huge thanks to the sponsors drawn together by Andy’s efforts and for the wine prizes which again depleted Andy’s re-stocked cellar.
The 60 players, sun-drenched and weary, headed for the 19th in need of refreshing, cold, beers following a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the Woosnam Course. The lively clubhouse soon dispelled any thoughts of overheating and tiredness; the atmosphere was great and building towards dinner, match-results and ‘Raffle-Time’. The men’s winner was Pat Gush with 40 points and he now holds the Stephen Barrister claret jug. The ladies’ winner was Alison Llewellyn on 29 points and the junior winner was Will Harwood with 37 points. Longest (and shortest) drive was taken by David Yates and it was his team, The Yates Reprobates who won the Team Event. Nearest to the pin was won by Mark Roberts and from the numerous contenders, the prize for Sartorial elegance award went to Stewart Pope. Each received a delicious Rose magnum.
Andy Skyrme’s extraordinary generosity and his organisation of this event enabled us to raise almost £4,000: PAC is hugely grateful. The dinner was excellent, and Pat's Magic Raffle and the hotly-contested auction put the ‘FUN’ into fund raising. A special thanks to Roland Couch for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at the George Inn, Alfriston; Cheryl Skyrme for donating her apartment in Spain; Andy Foley and Adam Brown for exceptional Dining and Golf experiences.
The donations, contributions and attendance at the event have enabled Penguins Against Cancer to make a further grant to St Christopher’s Hospice in Bromley, Kent. [Nominated by Paul Harwood in memory of his father, Peter, who sadly passed away recently and who received care at St Christopher’s.] Paul helped establish the PAC golf events through his generosity and support for the inaugural Golf Day and again the following year, also staged at his Club in Lingfield.
The next PAC Golf Day is on Friday 20th July 2018 at Hever Castle. Book early, 6 teams already have! Please contact John Costello or Pat Gush if you have an item or experience you would like to donate for future auctions. John takes over as PAC Golf Captain following Andy’s outstanding success and organisation. Well done again, Andy, on two hugely successful events and good luck to John – please support him, it truly is A Fabulous Day of Fund Raising, Friends, & Fun just as it says on the flyer.
Dale Hill Golf Club, the magnificent setting for the sun-drenched 2017 PAC Annual Golf Day
