Imaging colleagues gather ‘fore’ a friendly golf challenge

Submitted by Dr Tom Kaye, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Last updated Sep 17, 2021

After a 12-month delay due to COVID-19, competitors assembled for the 23rd UK Radiologists Golf Challenge at The Berkshire Golf Club near Ascot. The tournament was hosted by 2019 winner Dr Tom Kaye from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with a field of 52 enthusiastic radiologists, industry professionals and friends competing. Teams had travelled from as far afield as Edinburgh, with industry representatives from Canon Medical, Agfa, Soliton IT and Philips.

The early morning threat of rain did not materialise and with only a light breeze the stage was set for some good golf and impressive scoring. Among the early starters, previous winners Dr Kaye, Dr Mike Weston from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Dr Richard Orme from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust all managed a respectable 33 Stableford points. However, it was Dr Eric Woo from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust with 39 points and Dr Stephen Glancy from Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, with 40 points who set the early pace and topped the radiologist leaderboard for most of the day.

Previous winner Dr Nikesh Menon from Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust found trouble in the bracken.

Another early starter was Canon Medical’s Chris Whitton who made a fast start and finished with a score of 45 points to win the non-radiologist’s competition. The team prize was won by Dr John Millar from University Hospital, Southampton, with Andy Macey, Andy White and Steve Holmes, who achieved an incredible score of 96 points, although they were closely chased home by the Canon team of Alistair Howseman, Iain Gray, Steve Bird and Chris Whitton with 95 points.

There was late drama as the final group of the day saw previous radiologist champion Dr James Hampton from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust start with two birdies in his first four holes and hole out on the 18th for a fantastic individual score of 42 points to usurp long-time leader Dr Stephen Glancy and reclaim the radiologist’s trophy for a third time.

Dr Maria Johnson from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwick NHS Trust won the ladies long drive challenge.

A successful day concluded as competitors enjoyed the hospitality of the golf club with a three-course dinner, drinks and a sense of anticipation of what excitement the 24th golf challenge might hold in 2022.

Lead picture: Dr James Hampton from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was winner.

Published on page 6 of the August 2021 issue of RAD Magazine.