On Monday 26 September, 48 golfers braved the wind, rain, hills and heather for the ninth annual RGS Professionals Charity Golf Day at the Royal Ashdown Old Course. Our thanks go to Ralph James and Morr & Co for sponsoring the event and to the generosity of our players, who helped us raise an incredible £11,840.

Having caught up with friends and fuelled by coffee and bacon rolls, teams set off to their various holes for a 10am shotgun start.

The Thunderball Challenge proved popular again, although all but three teams donated their yellow balls to the Sussex countryside! The winning team was Stephen Cahill (parent), Craig Burgess and Richard Leutsche.

The nearest-the-pin competition on the 6th hole went to James Espin, while the longest drive competition on the 12th hole went to Molly Moore. Congratulations to them both.

At the 14th hole, players were invited to take up the Par 3 Challenge – to get their ball onto the green (without bouncing or rolling on or off) in one shot. The gusty conditions, appearance of maintenance staff working in the bunker behind the pin and the odd spurt of water due to air in the irrigation system, made this challenge particularly interesting! Indeed, less than 20% of players achieved this and took home a goody bag of wine and beer.

Our particular thanks go to Ashly Kilsby-Dukes from Ralph James for taking some wonderful team photos, which can be viewed here (although one team proved particularly camera shy!). Thanks also to Mike Jackson from Morr & Co for delivering beer and snacks to players throughout the round.

Back at the clubhouse, players donned some dry clothes ready for a sumptuous three-course dinner.

Congratulations go to our team competition winners, James Espin (whose trophy cabinet will be positively bursting after this event!), Tyrone Long, Geraint Watkins (RGS 1989-1997) and Aaron Simmons (RGS 1989-1997).

Once again, our huge thanks to all our players, auction and raffle prize donors and to Ralph James and Morr & Co for jointly sponsoring this important and popular event. Both companies have become valued partners of RGS over the past few years, supporting children through our Changing Lives campaign.

Next year’s RGS Professionals Golf Day will be held in September 2023 (date TBC). Please email foundation@www.rgs.foundation to register your interest. 

Team competition winners

Thunderball Challenge winners

Longest drive winner, Molly