Sunshine, fast fairways and £805 for the Benevolent Fund at Banstead

Another Surrey Mark Charity Golf Day, organised by our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, V.W. Bro. Stephen Berkshire, was held at Banstead Golf Club this summer.

After a long dry spell the course was firm and fast. The sun shone all day, accurate drives were rewarded with extra distance on the running fairways, and the greens were quick, true and in outstanding condition, a real test for golfers of every ability. The scorecards ranged from respectable to average, with the occasional work in progress, and in true Mark fashion there was plenty of laughter along the way.

The results

• First: Dash Ganeson, 40 points, our champion for the day.
• Second: Chris Churchman, 40 points, second on countback.
• Third: Luke Connolly, 39 points, who also won the Longest Drive.
• Fourth: Kevin Thatcher, 38 points.

Kevin Roberts won Nearest the Pin, so close that he might have been expected to buy the drinks. A special mention goes to the Provincial Grand Master, whose determined round kept the rest of the field in good spirits by claiming the wooden spoon. Ever gracious in defeat, he blamed the weather and suggested that scorecards with blobs on them should earn points. With not a cloud in the sky, nobody was convinced.

Thanks to everyone who took part, the day raised £805.50 for the Surrey Mark Benevolent Fund.

Next up: Chobham, 9 October

The next Surrey Mark Charity Golf Day is at Chobham Golf Club on Friday 9 October. Golfers of every standard are welcome, and so are non-Masons. Details and booking are on the events page.

Reported in the Surrey Keystone, issue 84, August 2026.