Mark Bentley, OH 1971-79 has carved a successful career as a Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Coach, drawing on his love of the sport that he has played for over 50 years.  He is one of the UK's best known Specialist Putting Coaches and AimPoint Green Reading Instructors.  With 15 years of golf coaching experience, Mark is now considered to be one of the most knowledgeable putting experts in the country and works at Forest Pines GC in North Lincolnshire and Oulton Hall GC in Leeds.  Players of all levels, from club golfer through the full time playing Professionals and DP World Tour winners continue to benefit from his knowledge and coaching expertise.

At the age of 60, Mark noticed changes to his body and went to his GP.  He was advised to take a simple blood test, a Prostate Specific Antigen blood test often referred to as the PSA.

I was waking up multiple times during the night to urinate.  When I did go, I would stand there for ages and not much would come out, with very low pressure.  It didn’t feel right, so I went to the doctor for advice.  Thankfully, given my age and the symptoms that I described, the doctor advised me to have a simple blood test to check my PSA levels.

The results showed my PSA level was only 0.1 above the upper threshold for my age.  Even though it wasn't drastically high, the combination of my symptoms and the elevated PSA reading prompted my doctor to refer me for an MRI scan.  The MRI revealed something suspicious, leading to a biopsy that confirmed the bad news - I had prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men.  It usually develops slowly, so there can be no signs for many years.  After undergoing a successful prostatectomy a couple of months later, Mark's PSA levels are now undetectable.  The experience helped Mark to realise the prevalence of prostate cancer, particularly among men who have had no symptoms, highlighting the importance for regular testing for men who are most at risk.

Mark is now hoping to spread awareness of his experience to fellow golfers via his work as a specialist putting coach, and hopes golf clubs and fellow PGA professionals across the UK support The Big Golf Race in 2025.  For those who love to play golf and are not aware of it, the Big Golf Race combines fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK with endurance, inviting participants to 36, 72 or the ultimate 100 hole challenge.

My story highlights that early detection is crucial. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.  If you’re over 50, or a man with a family history of prostate cancer, ask your doctor for a PSA test - you’re entitled to it.  It could save your life - it definitely saved mine.

Mark at the official launch of "The Big Golf Race" in London on 25 February 2025

Related Articles:

• Mark's Putting Podcast
• OH Golf Tournament 2023
• Mark Bentley - PGA Professional going the distance for Prostate Cancer UK (external website)