With Storm Austen bearing down and almost a week of rain beforehand, I spent the build-up to our first charity golf day crossing my fingers (and toes) for four hours of sunshine. Somehow, the golfing gods delivered. Thursday 22 October dawned clear, crisp and completely still, and by 1 pm there were more than a few sweaty brows.

Thirty players took on the Red course at The Berkshire, the better-known of the club's two courses, both named after the red and blue armies that used the land for training manoeuvres before the First World War.

The real reason for the day was Let's Help Our Primary Schoolchildren (LHOPS), founded in 2020 by David Birley and Ian Bartle to support primary schoolchildren and families facing hardship in Sherborne and the surrounding villages. When money is tight at home, children feel it at school too, in their friendships, their confidence and their learning. LHOPS helps families directly, so a difficult time at home doesn't get in the way of a child's education.

Out on the course, everyone donated to enter our four competitions: best team Stableford, best individual Stableford, longest drive and nearest the pin. The course looked spectacular, but the heather was as treacherous as ever, so it was just as well players could buy up to three ‘mulligans’ (free shots in golf-speak) each…and, oh boy, did they. There were smiles on faces all round. 

During lunch overlooking the course, attention turned to the raffle. Eight prizes had been generously donated, including a private chef experience for eight with Hannah Bint, former Head Chef at Padella and Senior Sous Chef at Mountain; tickets to England v Italy at Twickenham; tickets to Queen's; and a one-hour AI consultation with Teddy James of Tercero Analytics.

The moment of the day came when one guest, having won three prizes, put two of them straight back up for auction, raising a further £325. Thank you, Alistair! 

By the end of the afternoon, we had raised over £3,500, and donations are still coming in.

Ian Bartle, trustee of LHOPS, was delighted when we told him about the day, saying:

"Wow! I cannot thank you all enough for kindly supporting our charity. Our children and families are indebted to everyone who donated. Thank you all so much."

We're hugely grateful to The Berkshire for hosting us in such pristine condition, to everyone who donated a prize, and to every guest who played, bid, and bought raffle tickets so generously.

If you'd like to support LHOPS, you can donate here.