Austrie at it again

Austrie Takes the Wheel at Surrey National

The ACGA arrived at Surrey National Golf Club on Friday 5th June for the third Major of the season, greeted by excellent weather, smooth-running greens, and a course presented in excellent condition. With valuable Order of Merit points on offer and the season beginning to take shape, the competition was fierce from the opening tee shot. This time, the spotlight belonged to Stuart Austrie, who produced an excellent round to claim Major 3 honours and secure a well-deserved victory. Stuart’s winning performance was enough to edge out a strong field and remind everyone that experience, determination, and a steady nerve still count for plenty in ACGA competition. Finishing in 2nd place was Frank Baptiste, continuing his recent return to form with a superb 40-point haul. Sheddy Rose claimed 3rd place with 38 points, while Mark Henry secured 4th place on countback. Raf Roberts rounded out the top five, also posting 38 points and further strengthening his position in the Race to the Championship.

 Race to the Championship

 With three Majors completed, the Order of Merit leaderboard is beginning to reveal the early contenders:

 🥇 George Grant – 235 points

🥈 Raf Roberts – 205 points

🥉 Gerry Anderson – 175 points

4️⃣ Frank Skinner – 158 points

5️⃣ Mark Henry – 140 points

 George remains the man to catch, but with several Majors still to come, there is plenty of golf left to be played and many twists and turns ahead.

Guests Join the Action

 The ACGA was delighted to welcome ten guests to Surrey National:

 * Errol Palmer

* Patrick Agbeko

* Bernie Scotland

* Trevor Nelson

* Winston O’Connor

* Donovan Reid

* David Cole

* Marc Butler

* Omar Springer

* Leo Faure

 It was particularly pleasing to welcome Trevor Nelson, the renowned BBC DJ and broadcaster, who joined us for the day and proved that he is as comfortable walking fairways as he is commanding the airwaves. The guest competition was won by Dayo Osuntugun, continuing his impressive start to life around ACGA events. Leo Faure, making a welcome return, secured 2nd place among the guests.

 Nearest the Pin Honours

Special congratulations go to:

🎯 Tunde Adeshokan – Nearest the Pin

🎯 Gerry Anderson – Nearest the Pin in Two

As always, a combination of precision, skill, and perhaps a little luck was required to take home the prizes.

The Blob-o-meter Keeps Delivering

Away from the main competition, the ever-popular Blob-o-meter was once again hard at work. For those unfamiliar with this uniquely ACGA tradition, every blob contributes to the charity pot, ensuring that even a bad hole can still produce something positive. The members’ generosity, assisted by the occasional wayward tee shot and misjudged approach, resulted in a further £290 being raised for charity on the day. This means the ACGA has now raised an outstanding £850 so far this season, supporting worthy causes through our golf and fellowship.

2026 Charity Totals

 * Abridge – £270

* Aldwickbury Park – £290

* Surrey National – £290

 Total Raised: £850

A tremendous achievement after just three events and a testament to the spirit and generosity of the membership.

A Touch of Class from the Champion

While Stuart Austrie’s victory was worthy of celebration in its own right, it was what happened afterwards that perhaps said even more about the man. In a thoughtful and selfless gesture, Stuart chose to dedicate his victory to the memory of David William, who sadly passed away on 12th November 2025 following contracting a rare form of cancer. Rather than keeping the trophy for himself, Stuart donated it to David’s family as a mark of respect and remembrance. It was a gesture that embodied the very best of the ACGA. While competition is an important part of what we do, moments like these remind us that friendship, community, and looking after one another matter far more than any silverware ever could. The Association commends Stuart for his kindness and thoughtfulness, and continues to remember David and his family in our thoughts. 

Remembering Kanya King CBE

The day was also played against the backdrop of the sad news of the passing of Kanya King CBE, founder of the MOBO Awards. Kanya’s vision and determination helped create one of the most important platforms celebrating Black music, culture, and achievement in the United Kingdom. Her work inspired countless artists, opened doors for generations that followed, and left a lasting mark on British culture. The ACGA extends its sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all those affected by her passing. Her legacy will endure for many years to come.

Another Excellent Day for the ACGA

With excellent weather, a challenging course, strong competition, a fantastic group of guests, and another substantial contribution to charity, Surrey National delivered everything that makes ACGA events special. The season continues to gather momentum. George Grant remains the leader in the Race to the Championship, Raf Roberts is applying pressure, and Stuart Austrie has added his name to the list of Major winners for 2026. As we move towards the next event, one thing is certain: the competition is heating up almost as quickly as the charity pot is growing.

🏆⛳