Golfers go a few rounds for cancer charity

They called themselves Hole Lotta Golf! - and that’s exactly what four Marlborough golfers got over the weekend.

Jamie Norton, Matt Croad, Bob Tate and Jason Giblin completed the equivalent of a golfing marathon, playing non-stop from 7pm Saturday until 7pm Sunday in a bid to raise funds for the Cancer Society Marlborough.

The quartet, who kept up a steady stream of banter as they trudged around the Marlborough Golf Club course at Fairhall, played 100 holes [five rounds and 10 holes] during the 24-hour span.

During the hours of darkness they used impact-activated LED golf balls which glowed for five minutes after being struck. The specially-designed balls, which are harder than normal, brought about the event’s major casualty, the head of Jason’s hybrid club shattering on impact.

However, this was a minor setback for the foursome, who finished in fine fettle, if a little emotional. There were reports of chaffing in areas of concern and sore feet, resulting in some finishing the marathon in their socks.

They covered approximately 79km non-stop - fuelled by seven coffee rounds, five powerades, bacon butties, venison, toasties, sausage rolls, pies, plus protein shakes and energy bars.

And the scoring was not bad either. Matt’s scorecards for the completed rounds reading 79, 80, 80, 84 and 88.

The Blenheim friends set out to raise around $20,000 for the cancer charity who missed out on Daffodil Day Street collections this year. At last count the marathon effort, plus Friday’s dinner and auction at the Marlborough Golf Club, had raised $32,000.

The team are still accepting donations at www.longestday.org.nz/t/holelottagolf.