SIX GOLFERS will tee off at 3.30am in the morning and play every course on the Island before 10pm the same day to raise funds for a local charity.

The “Golf Relay” takes place on Monday (June 14th) and is the idea of Sam Skelton and Mike Henthorn, both Management Board representatives of the local charity Cruse Bereavement Care.

The spectacular setting of Glen Truan golf course begins the attempt at 3.30am, finishing at Port St Mary some time after 10pm.

The distance and time needed to travel between golf courses is the main logistical problem to be overcome and this is why it has been decided to split into two teams of three and as one team finishes a round of golf they phone ahead to the other who will already be at the next golf club and who will then begin the next round of golf.

This allows “continuous golf” in what best can be described as a “relay format”. For the final round all six participants will meet and play together completing what will be 153 holes of golf in a day.

“This is an ambitious ask, especially as none of the team are young or particularly athletic,” said Sam Skelton. “However, with lots of on and off course support and the truly fabulous sponsorship on offer from so many individuals and organisations the team will, with a bit of luck, weather wise, still have some fun and in the process raise several thousand pounds for this worthy charitable cause.

“My sincere thanks go to all our supporters and sponsors and to every golf club who have agreed to allow us to play.” 

Other team members are: Steve McCafferty, Geoff Gelling, Andrew Gerrard and David Quayle.

Cruse Bereavement Care assists adults and young people who are bereaved and provide one-to-one support, group support, awareness in schools, voluntary and corporate organisations and operate a weekly bereavement support group with Hospice Isle of Man on Wednesdays between 5pm and 7pm.  Clients can refer themselves to the charity or be referred by another person with their consent.

For further information about the organisation or sponsorship of the golf team or to make a donation please contact Mrs Amanda Cafearo on 668192 or email iomcruse@manx.net

The Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man helpline is 668191.