PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
PAC Annual Golf Day 2026
Surrey National Golf Course
Friday 19th June 2026
Nigel Ashton
5th June 1961 - 25th May 2026
PAC Golf returned to the summer season this year and landed in mid heatwave. Undeterred, the drinks wagon was laden with chilled water ready to support the 60-strong body of golfers braving the heat and the undulating stretches of the beautiful Surrey National Golf Course. The greens and fairways were in stunning condition but no matter how much time was spent on the putting greens above the clubhouse, nothing prepared us for the unpredictable and varying pace surrounding each flag.
The great and the good gathered at 10.30am, upstairs, to register, sort their cards, learn the match format and tuck into bacon butties & beers. 15 teams of 4, most of whom are now regular faces returning to support the charity and have a fun-filled day. Some newbies, invited by returning champions or PAC veterans, were very soon in the swing of buying mulligans, checking out the array of raffle prizes and learning from the programme who the Penguins are and what the day entails. The balcony and panoramic suite, ours for the day & night, provided a view across a vast expanse of varied fairways: a stunning backdrop to challenge any golfer and a gorgeous space to enjoy a beer whilst unnerving those on the 18th below. With the PAC Claret Jug, freshly engraved, sitting proudly on the prize table to inspire each team, Pat Gush outlined the day’s programme (heckled by the Barwell brothers) and then Andy Skyrme explained the format and rules for play.
After a little confusion at the 1st Tee, caused by another society event, who were suffering from a humour failure and happiness transplant, the 13th annual PAC golf was underway. The clubhouse had its own beer buggy so instead, our support buggy, crewed by Charlie G, Imogen & Lizzy, stationed themselves at the 6th hole providing blue and gold shots for each player. With 8-minute intervals, there was no time or drink wasted. As well as the traditional mulligans, which raises lots of cash for the charity, we had nearest the pin on the 13th won by Will Harwood, and the longest drive on the 18th was won by Wills Cowing, in full view of the clubhouse balcony. No Pink ball to protect much to the delight of the assembled players!
Out on the course, teams crossed paths regularly, creating opportunities for polite encouragement or general score checking – always with honest answers! The few buggies, belonging to our players, looked more like the Red Arrows display team rather than seasoned fairway finders! Cheers, laughter and banter could be heard across the valley and throughout the course, particularly from the tail-end students. Despite the competition, there is a spirit and tomfoolery which make these PAC Golf Days a truly special calendar item. As always, special thanks to those Captains who return each year with their players.
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The Terrace Bar was packed and as each team climbed the slope off the 18th the welcome and the atmosphere was fabulous. The evening diners had arrived and the drinks were beginning to flow outside; even a red fox sat on the grass with us to cheer home the tail enders. Score cards were collected and checked, anticipation grew and we headed to our room for speeches, prizes and dinner.
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George Ashton has played in 5 PAC Golf Days and organised the 2024 event at Purley Downs. Sadly, his father, Nigel, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer on Thursday 9th April 2026, following which he remained positive and courageous sharing precious time with his family, until he passed peacefully on 25th May. He would have been delighted to know that George played golf today, then shared his thoughts and memories with us all, so vividly. This year’s PAC Golf is dedicated to Nigel Ashton. In his memory, a grant (£5000 tbc) from Penguins Against Cancer will be made, following an awaited nomination by George, most likely to support research into early detection of Pancreatic Cancer (TBC).
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George gave the PAC address before dinner and the young, newly qualified Doctor spoke bravely and eloquently about his father’s life, about his dad’s illness and about the connection, guidance and support that PAC was able to provide to George and his family. George then linked this to PAC’s work in Hospice Care, Treatment and Research, highlighting PAC’s events and fundraising, how the money is used and reinforcing the value and benefit of becoming a PAC member. George connected with so many people in the room sharing something incredibly personal and it brought home simply, and precisely what PAC does and how it makes a difference. Thank you, George. RIP Nigel.
Following the meal, we reached the chocolate Penguins course with awards, prizes, raffle and auction - much enjoyed by the boisterous audience. Firstly, for services to PAC, especially Golf - organizing 3 events at Hever Castle and next year’s event too - John Costello received the coveted Pewter Penguin. For once, John was overcome and lost for words. The Pin and Drive winners, next, were each awarded a bottle of Fizz. Then the PAC Claret Jug had 6 teams in contention: Teams Gush & Armitage both on 91; Teams Costello (jnr) and Buckley both on 93; in 2nd place Team Potter on 95 and the 2026 Winners scoring 98 were Andy Skyrme, Marcus Skyrme, Declan Skyrme and Oliver Plumstead: Collecting the Trophy, and each receiving a bottle of Malbec ‘Number ONE’.
The Auction had a few last-minute additions and all items were outstanding, prompting bidding that was fierce and extremely generous. Our thanks to all who donated super items: Beaverbrook Golf [Andy Skyrme]; Surrey National Golf [Pat Gush]; TaylorMade Hybrid Club [Callum Owen]; 4 Ball & Lunch West Kent [Paul Harwood]; Birkdale Open for 4 [Andy Skyrme]; Cotswold Cottage week [Paul & Lu Palmer]; Deal Golf & Lunch [Tim Ufton]; Bespoke Wine Rack & 6 Malbec [Gerry Murphy]; 2 Single Malts [Paul & Guy Barwell]; 3 Nights in Denmark [Team Roberts]; Lunch & Sommelier, Mayfair [Team Roberts]. And huge thanks to those who kindly and successfully bid for each item.
Lastly, Pat’s Magic Raffle saw penguins, spirits, champagne, wine, a fishing rod, socks, pants and a variety of creative gifts fly off the prize table. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the prizes and indeed to a wonderful day of fun, PAC awareness and fundraising. Your support today raised £6015 for Penguins Against Cancer – thank you. Thanks to Charlie, Immie, Jamie & Lizzy Peck and also to our hosts, Surrey National GC. So far, PAC has raised and disbursed over £785,000 and the annual golf day contributes significantly, enabling further PAC grants to treat cancer, support cancer research or provide palliative care for cancer patients. We hope more of you become PAC members so that we strengthen PAC’s 6 Cancer Research Awards and so that you, as members, nominate where the money goes. NB: Paul Barwell set up his membership after George’s speech.
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NEXT YEAR: PAC Golf returns to Hever Castle Golf Club: on 17th September 2027.
Players & Teams: George Ashton, Toby Davis, Jamie Dunbar, Josh John; Andy Skyrme, Marcus Skyrme, Declan Skyrme, Oliver Plumstead; Pat Gush, Andy Mathieson, Robbie Mathieson, Joe Stratton; Gerry Murphy, Ian Jappy, Ralph Bull, Greg Aldridge; Paul Harwood, Will Harwood, Scott Stoneham, Nigel Gill; Charlie Beardmore, Paul Gilliam, Pat Davis, Guy Barwell; Alan Mistlin, Coleman Carpenter, Paul Barwell, Gerald George; Nick Armitage, Dominic Stober, Alex Reeve, Marcus Landau; Gwyn Pugh, Terry Dwyer; John Costello, Tony Willetts, Tim Earl, Tim Ufton; Callum Owen, Saif Toubasey, Bilal Rayes, Will Taylor; Cameron Roberts, Michael Jacob, Michael Proctor, Wills Cowing; Harry Costello, Jack Costello, Charlie Costello, Raphael Azria; Ian Buckley, David Lampitt, Sonny Lampitt, Chris Atkinson; Jack Potter, Harrison Try, Henry Pearson, Josh Fenn.
