Pals’ marathon golf challenge in sweltering heat

A GROUP of friends fundraised for a cancer charity by playing golf all day in sweltering heat.

Jack Woodhead, Adam Lightowlers, Jonathan Fleetwood and Michael Lawrie completed Macmillan Cancer Support’s longest day golf challenge last month.

The aim of the challenge is to complete four rounds of golf – 72 holes – in one day.

The four rounds took place at Crosland Heath Golf Club in Linthwaite and Meltham Golf Club in Meltham.

In total the pals walked 26 miles in 16 hours.

Jack, 25, from Golcar, said: “We were all playing more holes than we had ever done before in one day.

“Sixteen hours in 26°C heat, 15 lost balls, more than 300 shots each, 42km walked – which is pretty much a marathon – and 50,000 steps – it was a tough challenge. The pint afterwards was well deserved.

“Both Crosland Heath Golf Club and Meltham Golf Club were incredibly supportive on the day – acknowledging the challenge and also giving us courtesy of both courses.”

The challenge was supposed to be completed on the summer solstice, but the group chose to do it on June 18 instead – which turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year.

It began at 4.30am and finished at 8.30pm with a total team better ball score of 54 under.

The group have raised £1,500 but have until September to submit their score and fundraising total.

To donate to their fundraising campaign, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LongestDayGolfChallengeHeath.