‘Memorable’ event to celebrate Worthing Golf Club captains’ charity fundraising

The club officially welcomed its new captains at the annual Drive-In event on Sunday, March 22. The Captains’ Drive-In saw hundreds of members, family and friends gather to mark the start of the captaincy for new Club Captain Tim Dunn and Lady Captain Donna Prangnell, while also celebrating the achievements of the outgoing captains, who symbolically ‘putted out’ to conclude their year in office.

Fundraising and charitable work remain at the heart of Worthing Golf Club’s ethos, with a strong commitment to giving back to the local community and supporting biodiversity through social and environmental impact initiatives.

The Captains’ Drive-In is a long-standing tradition at the club, dating back more than 100 years. The ceremony sees the incoming captains make a grand entrance before each performs a ceremonial ‘drive-in’, striking a golf ball from the putting green up the fairway.

As the ball is hit, a starting shot is fired, signalling the club’s junior members to race up the hill in a bid to be the first to retrieve the balls, with a prize awarded to the winners.

This year’s event was particularly memorable, with both captains bringing their own personal flair to the occasion.

Club Captain Tim Dunn arrived on the putting green in a buggy decorated in West Ham United colours, complete with a bubble machine and the club anthem “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” playing. Dressed in full cricket attire to reflect his passion for the sport and his time as the former Chairman of Worthing Cricket Club, Tim began by bowling a cricket ball on the green before completing his official drive-in in traditional cricket whites.

Lady Captain Donna Prangnell made an equally striking entrance, arriving on the back of a motorbike wearing a bright pink wig. She was greeted by a guard of honour formed by fellow lady members, who created an arch of golf clubs while dressed in matching biker jackets and pink wigs.

Following the ceremony, both captains announced their chosen charities for the year and outlined plans for a programme of fundraising events.

Tim Dunn will be supporting Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac deaths in young people through awareness, screening and research, as well as supporting affected families. Donna Prangnell has chosen to support Guild Care, Worthing’s leading social care charity.

Fundraising events planned for the year include the Captain’s Charity Am-Am Competition on Frida, June 26, and the Lady Captain’s Charity Golf Day, an open competition taking place on Thursday, September 17.