Ashgate Hospice Annual Golf Day 2026

The Ashgate Hospice Annual Golf Day is the charity's longest running event, now in its 35th year. Shorts were the main event sponsors of the day, and it's a privilege to be a part of it and to show our support year upon year.

Golfers of all levels from seasoned competitors to those playing in memory of loved one’s head to Chesterfield Golf Club, together raising vital funds for palliative and end-of-life care across North Derbyshire.

This year's event was blessed with plenty of sunshine, and although the days' staggered start times run from 7am, the Shorts team were blessed with a comfortable 'tee off' time of 1:40pm. The Shorts' Team for this year was Andy Irvine, Ian Robinson, Chris Chambers and Dan Thomas.

After a 1st tee photo, the round began. A gentle uphill drive to hole 1 'Aspiration', a 298-yard Par 4, comfortably navigated by each of our golfers (there'll be no highlighting of any wayward shots here)

Hole 2 'Castle' is back down the hill for 425 yards, and then through the trees and hedgerow to the left to hole 3.

It was at this point, having seen the 4 men sweetly hit their tee shots, and set off to walk towards the hole, that I headed back to the clubhouse, for some conversation with the volunteers, and to find out which hole our sponsorship had been allocated.

I was thrilled to discover that we were on hole 8 - and that it was quite a walk to get there, especially if unfamiliar with the course. I was even more thrilled then, when James, one of the Ashgate Volunteers offered to take me down on a golf cart! Outwardly I was quite nonchalant about this, but inwardly I was very excited to experience my first ride on such a vehicle!

Hole 8 looks deceivingly easy, an 148-yard par 3, well protected by bunkers.

Our signage and sponsorship looked fantastic at the tee and adorned 3 sides of the hole.

I was fortunate to find that, as I arrived, the hole was being played by a team which included Danny Wilson, former Chesterfield FC manager, and proud Ashgate Hospice Patron. We were introduced, and Danny kindly paused for a photo, before continuing what I'm sure for him, was an easy par!

Back at the Clubhouse, the day concludes with a team’s presentation, a two-course meal, and a luxury raffle.

Overall, the Shorts team enjoyed a modest result on the final leaderboard, having had a fantastic day, and very happy to have been a part of another very successful event for Ashgate Hospice, a wonderful local cause.