England Golf staff transformed into super-heroes for summer’s longest day and raised at least £2500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Golfers and non-golfers took on the charity’s Longest Day Challenge at the organisation’s headquarters at the National Golf Centre in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.
It was part of England Golf’s commitment to support the challenge and help raise the profile of the fundraising event among its 665,000 members and 1,900 clubs.
Four teams of players teed off at dawn to tackle 72 holes on the Hotchkin and Bracken courses (pictured bottom) while other colleagues took to the pitch and putt course – and yet more staffed a fund-raising cake stall.
In total they covered 936 holes on the golf courses, 333 holes on the pitch and putt course – and demolished lots of cake!
The pitch and putt players included beginner golfers Nicky Lincoln and Lucy Blakey. They have been taking Get into Golf classes with Woodhall Spa professional Neil Harvey and showed off their new skills by completing 72 holes apiece on the short course.
Meanwhile the marketing team picked up the super-hero theme and played in outfits of capes, masks and glitter (pictured right).
The marathon men and women on the main courses included Lee Dolby, England Golf’s Young People Manager, who summed up at the end: “Finished. 72 holes, 24 miles walked, 361 shots, 2 birdies, 17 pars, 111 points, 51,577 steps. 1 snake, 1 black swan. Several blisters. Great day for a great charity.”
Among the other players were Insight Manager Tom Allen, who is a cancer survivor. He wrote on his Just Giving page: “This challenge is a very personal one to me – as not only do I work in golf, but also in 2011 I was diagnosed with cancer, so have experienced first-hand the fantastic work of charities like Macmillan.
“It’s so important to me that I can share my story to show everyone that it is possible to beat cancer. Cancer is scary, and obviously we all know how devastating it can be – but there are many examples just like mine that can act as reassurance and motivation to anyone going through difficult times.”
England Golf Chief Executive Nick Pink was among those who completed the 72 holes and said afterwards: “It’s been a brilliant day for an excellent charity. We’ve got sore feet but we’re on top of the world.
“This has shown what a committed and excellent group of people we have working for England Golf. It was with a real sense of pride and achievement that I experienced a positive team effort for a charity with an important cause that affects those associated with golf and right across our society. Well done to our team and all those teams across the country.”
The final total for Macmillan Cancer Care is expected to rise as all donations come in. To contribute visit https://www.justgiving.com/teams/englandgolf