A charity golf day hosted by the Mayor of St Albans was a swinging success.

The Mayor, Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, held the event in aid of both Rennie Grove and Keech Hospices.

Teams of four took part in the fourball competition at Verulam Golf Club in St Albans and more than £4,000 was raised.

The mayor had never swung a golf club before, but gamely took on the driver challenge. This involved players chipping in £10 each to guess how far he could hit the ball off the first tee.

Most guessed he would hit it fewer than 50 yards, but he surprised all by smashing it 169 yards down the fairway.

He said: “It was the first time I had ever held a golf stick in my hands, but I showed myself to be a natural. People should have had more faith in my sporting prowess.

“It was a marvellous day as we even had glorious sunshine. Everyone enjoyed the golf, a lunch in the club house and the chance to support two very good causes.

“I am delighted the event raised in excess of £4,000 for hospice care. I thank everyone who took part and contributed, especially Nicola Bond who took on the tough task of organising it all and did a fantastic job.”

The winners were a team from DLA Town Planning – Neil Grainger, Mike Lake, Mark Williams and Piers Wilmot.

Joyce Lim, the competitor who came closest to correctly guessing the mayor’s drive, was presented with a state-of-the-art mobile phone donated by 2 Circles.

Other prizes were donated to the April 19 golf day by Metro Bank, the Centurion Club, Collinson Hall, Bar Meze, Majestic Wine and Waitrose.