PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
PAC Golf Day 2015
Lingfield Park Resort, Lingfield, West Sussex
Saturday 20th June 2015
The 2015 Penguins Against Cancer Golf-Fest
Once more, Lingfield’s 18-holes offered an exciting challenge for the mixture of abilities assembled on Saturday 20th June 2015. The 6,511 yard, par 72 course tested our skill and stamina from the first tee: negotiating, as we did, the welcoming fizz for each player served by Charlie Gush and then the down-pour which failed to dampen the smiles and laughter. The event has suitably grown reflecting the spreading support and wider awareness of Penguins Against Cancer. The number of players doubled this year and 34 golfers were on the starting card. An early meet allowed convivial chatting and catch up for the vast array of Guy’s Alumni taking advantage of the reunion opportunity: Andy Skyrme, Johnny Staffurth, John Costello, Grant Harris, Pete Davis, Charlie Beardmore, Alan Mislin, Charlie Spedding (Gush), Lizzy Peck (Armitage), Wayne Llewellyn, Tony Willetts and Ross Perry. A mini-raffle had already set the tone for the day with the prizes - including golf balls, tees, course-tools and miniatures - spread evenly amongst the teams. Mulligans and Birdies had been duly purchased, the fizz consumed and the first ball was perched on its tee.
Many had travelled from afar to support PAC: the Penguins pulled members from the South Coast, Cardiff, Cornwall and Sussex; Paul & Lu Palmer (Warwick Lodge Dental Practice) came from Southend; Paul Johnston’s team drove from Yorkshire; Lawrence Kemp’s gang came from Kent; Nick Armitage assembled a Home Counties foursome, Bickley Park School likewise, and the City of London spawned an octet. Friends and relatives from far and wide helped spread-the-love this year.
Charlie Beardmore, our PAC President unusually made the tee time. Pete and Grant inadvertently entered the gum-ball rally with the aid of a buggy and a few bottles of bubbly! As the players thrashed their balls around, the gorgeous gathering of partners supped champagne on the terrace, pampered themselves at the spa and co-ordinated the clubhouse preparations for the evening. At 5.00 pm, in dramatic fashion, the race meeting began, lightning storms materialised and the sport continued on all fronts. It was hot and wet, but the girls looked stunning, whilst the boys and the horses perspired. The golfers enjoyed the experience of crossing the race course to the 12th, and recrossing to the 17th, all to the pound of hooves.
As the course meandered, we caught glimpses of Paul Johnston using a wedge to cut hay, Al Mistlin putting from the rough and John Costello slicing like a battle field surgeon. Calls of ‘fore-right’ were oft to be heard, in reality summoning the drinks car: what a civilised use of a golf buggy. This year, Imogen remained as caddy and Will was playing the Tiger-Line.
The golf was fantastic. Players were greeted by a cold drink on arrival at the clubhouse and very soon the 19th hole was buzzing. Anecdote swapping competed with the race meet below; the atmosphere was electric and the PAC effect grew with the banter flowing between new and familiar faces mixing together.
Ross Perry won the tournament (and the freshly engraved Stephen Barrister claret jug). Nipping at his heels were Lawrence Kemp, and Rolf Nuijens. The Longest Drive was won by Johnny Staffurth and Nearest the Pin by Andy Skyrme: each received a trophy and a box of balls. The most coveted award, Best Trousers/Shirt, was won by Roland Couch who collected a clothes-hanger and a bottle of Champagne. Paul Harwood’s extraordinary generosity, donating 34 rounds of golf, raised over £1600: PAC is hugely grateful.
Supper was excellent, and Pat's magic raffle and the hotly contested auction raised a huge amount. A special thanks to Total Orthodontics (John Costello and Grant Harris) for their generous donation of consultation and treatment – a unique auction item that our bidders certainly got their teeth into! Our thanks to Emma and her company, ‘Fundraising Auctions’, for the fabulous silent-auction items and to all who bid and bought! Thanks also to Roland Couch for the weekend at his gastro B&B, The George, in Alfriston Sussex; Paul Harwood for Golf at the Addington; Russell Pooley for Golf at The London, Stoke Park and St George’s Hill; Darren Arman for the case of wine; Chris Morley (Lingfield Golf & Spa) for the 12 months Academy Membership and finally to everyone for successfully bidding for these super items and experiences. Thanks to all the guests who joined in the raffle and the games.
The donations, contributions and attendance at the event have enabled Penguins Against Cancer to make a £7000 grant to Pancreatic Cancer UK, who will use the money to continue to Research, Support, Inform and Campaign [Nominated by Pat and Charlie Gush and Jackie Spedding]
Thank you to Paul & Tania Harwood, for making the day such a success, and to Charlie Gush for her tremendous support.
Book early for next year, 5 teams already have! Please contact Pat Gush if you have an item or experience you would like to donate for future auctions. It truly was A Fabulous Day of Fund Raising, Friends, & Fun just as it said on the flyer!
Players:
Paul Harwood, Pat Gush, Paul Palmer, Will Harwood, John Costello, Paul Barwell, Tony Willetts, Ross Perry, Lawrence Kemp, Nick Frost, Steve Hughes, Chris Hodge, Charlie Beardmore, Alan Mislin, David Littlejohns, Graham Hill, Andy Skyrme, Wayne Llewellyn, Johnny Staffurth, Roland, Russell Pooley, Rolf Nuijens, Eddie Coulson, Gary Arthur, Paul Johnston, Stewart Bardsley, Iain Prestell, Colin Riddell, Nick Armitage, Graeme Graas, Andrew Birchill, Eric Kaufmann, Grant Harris, Pete Davis.