Marjon Bakker and Steve Whittaker have been announced as the 2023 golf captains at Hever Castle Golf Club at the Captain’s Drive In on May 7 2023, they are replacing the 2022 captains – Mike Swan and Paula Stack who together raised a total of £15,000 in total for their chosen charities across their term as captains.
Marjon and Steve have chosen to both raise money for the same charity this year which is a first for the club. Their chosen charity is Taylor Made Dreams, a local charity based in Crowborough. TMD support children with life limiting illnesses and provides their families with financial, emotional and practical support throughout their difficult journey. They do this through a number of services: bucket list wishes, holistic therapy and counselling, medical travel grants, medical sheepskins, family portraits, photoshoots, technology loan library, and the sibling support service.
Taylor-Made Dreams was founded by Suzi Mitchell whose son Taylor was diagnosed with a life limiting illness in 2008 and it was whilst fulfilling Taylor’s bucket list that Suzi decided she would one day set up a charity to do the same for other children with life limiting illnesses. The charity operates throughout the counties of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey and they receive referrals from a wide range of pathways including NHS Children’s wards, Demelza, and Ellenor.
Marjon and Steve chose TMD so that they could give back to the charity after a friend of Steve’s was supported by TMD when his son was diagnosed with a life limiting illness.
The Captain’s Drive In was a resounding success, as with the proceeds of a silent auction, some kind donations and money raised on the day, the captains have raised an astounding £3,200.
Following this was The Ladies Open on 17 May, with 128 ladies from golf clubs all over the South East travelling to Hever Castle Golf Club. The day raised an amazing £800 for Taylor Made Dreams.
Another £2,000 was raised on 25 June for the annual Captain’s Day. In total an amazing £7,400 has been raised by Marjon and Steve – a very impressive start for this year’s captains fundraising with more events planned throughout the year.
Over the years, Hever Castle Golf Club’s captains have raised thousands of pounds for a wide variety of charities. You can find out more about some of the money raised here:
2022/2023 – Mike Swan and Paula Stack
2021/2022 – Rob Stevenson and Annette Hards
2020/2021 – Calum Giles and Annette Hards
2019/2020 – Alan Evans and Anne Jakeman
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
