Two teams from Penrith tackling a tough longest day golf challenge are on course to raise £2,000 for people affected by cancer.
Eight players from Penrith Golf Hub — in teams called Number 1 Ball in Golf and PGH — are teed up to play 72 holes on the longest day of the year, Wednesday, 21st June, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
The golf-mad group plan to complete four rounds at four different courses, covering in the region of 13 miles or 23,000 yards in around 15 hours. They are due to tee-off at 4-30am at Carlisle Golf Club, before heading to Appleby for a 9-20am start, then on to Penrith for 1-30pm before hitting the final fairway at Keswick Golf Club at around 6pm.
They were inspired to compete in the charity challenge following the cancer diagnosis of their friend and colleague Nick Sharples three years ago. And, so far, they have already raised £1,485 towards their £2,000 target.
Emily Ingham, Penrith Golf Hub manager, said: “Our friend and colleague Nick Sharples was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May, 2020, during lockdown, aged just 27. Fortunately, following surgery and chemotherapy, he has since been given the all-clear. And, although he didn’t need Macmillan’s support, he is passionate about raising awareness of cancer and also vital funds for such a great charity.
The teams consist of Penrith Golf Hub directors Lee Edwards and Andrew Pickering; hub manager Emily Ingham; and PGA professionals Nick Sharples and Mike Newton, who is also a YouTube influencer. They will play alongside friends Simon Young, county men’s captain; Will Bowe, Cumbria player; and Gareth Richardson.
Emily added: “So many people are touched by cancer, including our family and friends, in one way or another, so we thought it was the right thing to do and try and give something back.
It’s going to be hard, and a very long and tiring day. But we also hope to have lots of fun, while raising vital funds for Macmillan to support other people affected by cancer when they need it most.”
Macmillan’s longest day golf challenge, which is now in its 23rd year, encourages teams of friends to play four rounds of golf in 24 hours. And the top four fundraising teams from across the country will get a chance to win a free trip to Portugal to compete in the longest day golf challenge finals.
To support their epic golf challenge visit: https://longestdaygolf.macmillan.org.uk/Team/number1ballingolf or https://longestdaygolf.macmillan.org.uk/Team/pgh
