The Big Golf Race, Prostate Cancer UK’s biggest fundraising campaign that has seen 11,500 golfers raise £3.4m through sponsored challenges over the past three years, has partnered with The Chipping Forecast to broadcast regular progress updates on the leading podcast from this month.
Host and leading commentator Andrew Cotter, fan favourite Tour professional Eddie Pepperell and regular guest and BBC Sport golf correspondent Iain Carter, will be encouraging listeners to get sponsored to help fund research into better tests that could save the lives of golfing dads, grandads, brothers, uncles and playing partners during 12 episodes of the topical weekly show. Last week, Cotter began by revealing the world record of 420 holes being played in the same day, while highlighting The Big Golf Race challenges.
He and his co-presenters also intend to undertake a challenge themselves this year. The Big Golf Race consists of three challenges to raise funds for research and testing into the most common cancer among men in the UK – playing a half marathon, 36-holes; a marathon of 72-holes; or the ultra-marathon of 100 holes with your golfing mates in a single day.
This year’s fundraiser was launched last month at The Belfry, where Iain Carter interviewed stars of sport and entertainment, including Crystal Palace legend Mark Bright and BBC presenter Nick Owen, who has personal reasons for supporting the effort to beat a cancer that affects 1 in 8 men.
“It remains to be seen which of the challenges our talkative three-ball decide to go for, but we might extend an invitation for someone to join them on the day…and try to get a word in, as well as raise more funds for Prostate Cancer UK,” said James Peacock, Managing Director of Folding Pocket, the company that produces The Chipping Forecast and has seen it top the UK’s golf podcast charts in recent times with streaming on BBC Sounds.
“We love the fact that The Chipping Forecast doesn’t take itself or the game too seriously, but the talented and knowledgeable podcasters are clearly very serious about supporting this important drive to help save the lives of golfers across the UK,” said Seren Evans, Head of Community and Events Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK.
“We’re excited to have the backing of one of the country’s top golf podcasts and thanks to Andrew, Eddie and Iain, we’ll be able to encourage even more golfers to pick up their clubs this summer and make a real difference.”
Golfers who register will receive a fundraising pack, including golf balls, tees, pencils and a fundraising guide, plus there are opportunities to earn incentive gifts along the way. Golfers taking part will have a chance to win some fantastic golf prizes, with the top fundraisers winning a three-night B&B trip for four to the renowned Monte Rei Golf & Country Club in Portugal, including two rounds of golf, courtesy of Golfbreaks.
Golfers who raise over £250 are also in with a chance of winning a full bag of Titleist golf clubs worth £3,000 and a club fitting, while other fundraising prizes up for grabs include a Motocaddy electric trolley and bag.
To sign up to The Big Golf Race, visit prostatecanceruk.org/TheBigGolfRace