The RGS Foundation was delighted to welcome 22 pairs to the new venue of Reigate Hill Golf Club for the Charity Golf Day, sponsored by Devine Homes. The event raised an incredible £8,300 for the Nightingale Fund and we thank our golfers, sponsors and prize donors for their generosity.

In what has been a difficult 15 months, it was fabulous to be able to get together with other Reigatians. Thanks go to Barry Devine (‘90) for his ongoing support for this event.

The course at Reigate Hill Golf Club proved popular with players and our prayers for good weather were answered, offering perfect conditions.

After buying mulligans, raffle tickets and selecting their ‘silly strings’ (varying lengths of string that can be used as a shot on the green), teams headed off to the first tee.

On the eighth hole, sponsored by Paragon Building Consultancy, players inched their way towards the nearest-the-pin trophy. Joe Armiger was convinced he’d won, until Richard Read (parent of former student) stole his thunder with an amazing hole-in-one – his fifth to date!

At the start of the tenth hole, players eagerly refuelled with a cold beer and a snack at our refreshments stop, sponsored by Surrey Bubbles, with thanks to Leo Sargent (RGS ‘16).

Early in the competition, our very own Sean Davey (Head of Foundation and parent of former student) set the target for the longest drive on the 14th but lost his crown following a belter of a shot by Oli Jones (RGS ‘97)! Thanks go to John Munday (RGS ‘90 and parent of former students) of Paragon Building Consultancy for his sponsorship.

With everyone back and enjoying a drink and dinner outside on the clubhouse veranda, it was over to the brilliant David Hylton (parent of former students) to scrutinise the scorecards.

The team competition proved tight with four pairs achieving over 70. With an incredible score of 80 points, trophies and champagne were presented to Alex Dalley (RGS ‘95) and Stuart Mills (RGS ‘03).

With trophies awarded, it was time for the raffle with winners choosing from a great selection of prizes, including beauty products, prosecco, vintage rioja, a mid-week 4-ball, a wine-tasting voucher, haircut and more…

Jonny Hylton, (RGS ‘99) RGS Foundation Associate Director whipped up excitement to secure high-value donations for the three auction prizes, which included: a hotel stay from Pebble Hotels (with thanks to Ted Kennedy, parent of former student), one day’s self-drive hire of a classic Ferrari or AC Cobra courtesy of RNG Classics and three-nights hire of a portable hot-tub thanks to Surrey Bubbles.

With all prizes awarded, Sean Davey, Head of Foundation, gave a heartfelt speech highlighting the impact that the Nightingale Fund has already had, with six NHS Scholars joining RGS this September, including two in the Sixth Form.

Finally, Foundation Governor and Chair of Governors elect, Mark Elsey (RGS ’78 and parent of former students), rounded off a fabulous day by underlining the value of the work of the RGS Foundation. Mark added his thanks to all those who had so generously supported this fabulous fundraising event.

The RGS Professionals Golf Day is on Monday 27 September at the magnificent Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club – email foundation@www.rgs.foundation to register your interest.