Two Timaru workmates are swinging into action to play 72 holes at Gleniti Golf Course tomorrow.
The challenge is part of a fundraiser to make money for the Cancer Society of South Canterbury.
Harry Lyon and Ian Coombridge have a goal to raise $4000 for their efforts and — as of Tuesday — they are just over halfway there.
Main cheerleader, Mr Coombridge’s wife Leysa, said the two men were participating in the challenge as Mr Lyon’s father Angus had died last year ‘‘at a young age’’ in his fight against cancer.
She said the duo wanted to complete the challenge to bring awareness to and raise money for the charity as it was a topic which ‘‘hit close to the heart’’.
The challenge is an annual event the Cancer Society runs to raise money for those in New Zealand affected by cancer.
In what is dubbed ‘‘the longest day’’, participants play a golf marathon to raise money for the society.
Players tee off at sunrise and played through to sunset, making the most of daylight on the longest days of the year.
Mrs Coombridge said Gleniti was an excellent course with long fairways and hilly terrain, and the occasional side road obstacle.
‘‘Generally one 18-hole game takes an experienced golfer four hours to play, so the boys are predicting the day could take them up to 16-18 hours of consecutive play time.
‘‘Both Harry and Ian are ex-rugby players who play golf leisurely.
‘‘The challenge is a big feat for the boys.
‘‘Will there be pain? Very likely, but it will be for a good cause.
‘‘Harry will also have his challenges as well, coming off a knee surgery from last year from a rugby injury.
‘‘Likely they will need to put their feet up for the weekend to follow.
‘‘There may be a need to utilise a golf cart on the day — for a round — just to beat the sun going down.’’
Mrs Coombridge said the men would be looking to start playing as soon as the sun rose to make the most of the sunlight, as well as to accommodate other golfers on the course as it could get busy on a sunny Friday.
She said the two men understood times were tight, but every dollar counted.
‘‘We have all known someone, whether it has been a family or friend, who has or had cancer.
‘‘We know it’s going to a good cause supporting those individuals in their treatment or for preventive programmes and future research.’’
