Mark Duffus golf memorial raises nearly £10,400 for Poppy Scotland, Erskine and Forres Golf Course
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A TOTAL of 76 people helped raise more than £10,000 for charity by taking part in a memorial golf game.
The players turned out at Forres Golf Club in memory of local man, Mark Duffus, killed in Afghanistan on a NATO compound in 2013. A total of £10,395.39 was raised by the competition.
Organiser Albert Duffus explained that his son, a 41-year-old former Queens Own Highlander, lost his life during an early morning attack at North Gate Camp, Kabul, when a truck packed with explosives was driven into a vehicle bay. The attackers started a gunfight and Mark, who worked for a security firm supplying close protection, was one of seven people who died in the battle.
Mark’s family have a long association with Forres, with many having served with the Queens Own Highlanders, including his father Albert.
Albert said: “We had a day of golf to commemorate Mark’s life on July 2, eight years to the day he was killed.
“Thank you to everyone who took part – I’m very grateful. Thank you too to the club for hosting the event and for ensuring we had fantastic conditions at the course on the day.
“It was all for good causes and they were well supported.”
There were three trophies for the best player by scratch, handicap and stableford. There was also a fundraising raffle and auction at the clubhouse after the competition.
Albert said: “The auction featured 18 items, including SPFL tops and Scotland strips signed by Scott McTominay and Andrew Considine. Everyone who took part enjoyed them.”
Albert chose to distribute the funds between two military charities.
He said: “I support them because they support veterans.
“Poppy Scotland got £4000, Erskine got £4000, the junior golfers in Forres got £1000 and the course got the remaining £1395.39 for maintenance.”
