What starts as a round of golf will become a true test of endurance for three local lads, who are taking on one of the toughest challenges in the sport.
Alongside the four rounds of golf in a single day, the 26+ miles walked, and hundreds of shots played, every moment will help support an important cause.
This month, Harry Longworth, founder of Friends of Community Magazines and Green Man Marketing, will be swapping his desk for the fairways as he takes on ‘The Big Golf Race’ alongside his Uncle’s, local business owner Philip Parsons of PP Building Services and Paul Molyneux (known to many of his friends and family as Uc), who will be swapping their usual tools for golf clubs as the trio come together for this incredible fundraising challenge.
Together, the trio will take on one of golf’s toughest fundraising challenges at Shaw Hill Golf Club in Chorley on Tuesday 25th August, attempting to complete 72 holes of golf, four full rounds and around 26 miles of walking in a single day.
It will mean an incredibly early start, a very late finish and a huge physical and mental challenge, with no shortcuts and no giving up. Every swing, every step and every mile will be in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, raising money for research that could help save thousands of lives.
The challenge will take place at Shaw Hill Golf Club, one of Chorley’s most established and respected golf clubs, which has been incredibly supportive of the fundraising effort.
PGA Director of Golf at Shaw Hill, James Houghton, knows exactly what lies ahead, having completed The Big Golf Race himself last year. He understands just how demanding four rounds of golf in one day can be, but also the incredible sense of achievement that comes from completing it for such an important cause.
James said: “Four rounds of golf one after another and around 26 miles of walking is a huge test, but it’s also an amazing experience and a fantastic way to raise money for such an important charity that is close to so many people’s hearts.
‘’We are really proud to support Harry, Phil and Paul as they take this on at Shaw Hill. It’s brilliant to see members of the local community using their passion for golf to make a difference, and I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
‘’I wish them the very best of luck, and I know they’ll do an incredible job.”
The challenge comes at a time when prostate cancer has once again been in the headlines following Jeremy Clarkson’s diagnosis, helping highlight a disease that affects one in eight men during their lifetime. Despite being the most common cancer in men, it remains the only major cancer without a national screening programme.
Philip Parsons added: “Golf has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing with my dad, so being out on the course has always meant more than just the game itself. Taking on this challenge alongside Harry and Paul makes it even more special, knowing we’re supporting such an important cause.
Like many people, we have all known friends and family affected by cancer. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, which is a statistic that’s impossible to ignore. If walking 26 miles and playing 72 holes one after another helps raise money for research, encourages people to learn more about the disease or inspires someone to get checked earlier, then every step will be worth it.
We would love the local community to get behind us. Every donation, big or small, will help Prostate Cancer UK continue its incredible work, and knowing people are supporting us will give us that extra push when the challenge gets tough.”
The Big Golf Race has become the UK’s largest golf fundraising challenge.
Every pound raised helps fund vital prostate cancer research, bringing us closer to a future where more men are diagnosed earlier, treated sooner and given the best possible chance of survival.
If you would like to support Harry, Phil and Paul’s challenge, you can visit: https://bit.ly/4vRJPrl
