Golfing friends hit the course at the crack of dawn this morning (Thursday) as they embarked on a charity challenge.
Friends and neighbours Gary Ellis, Ben Peck, Craig Bradford and Mark Peck have chalked up many rounds between them over the years.
But this morning they were due to tee off at 4am to fit in four full rounds of back-to-back golf before the sun goes down. Their aim is to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Care, which is promoting the Longest Golf Day Challenge 2024.
The challenge is taking place at Toft Golf Club where club pro Mark Jackson allowed early access to the course and will be asking other golfers to stand aside for the group and let them play through during the challenge.
Gary, who lives in Bourne, said: “I think it will be difficult because Toft is quite a hilly course so it’ll be 26 miles of ups and downs.
“A normal round takes up to four-and-a-half hours so we’ve been trying to play as much golf as possible to prepare for this.”
Gary only took up golf a year ago but has grown to love it while brothers Mark and Ben were taught to play by their dad. Despite them both being right-handed, their dad was left-handed and taught his sons to play in the only way he knew how. As a result, they play left-handed too. Ben also has the added challenge of being partially sighted.
The team are raising money for Macmillan Cancer Care through sponsorship and a raffle.
Gary said: “There’s very few people who haven’t been affected by cancer. Macmillan does such a good job, not just for people with cancer but for those suffering in the background behind them.”
The golfers hope to finish by 9.30pm tonight. Their wives will be popping by with food and drinks to keep them going throughout the day and a bottle of bubbly at the last hole. The friends will then continue their celebrations at a barbecue tomorrow (Friday) after a well-earned rest.
Donations can be made online at: www.justgiving.com/page/lgdc2024toftgc
Are you taking part in a charity event? Email the details to news@lincsonline.co.uk