Local Resident Putts for Charity
| Published: 19th June 2007 15:57 |
Those of you that have played 18 holes of golf will have experienced that feeling of exhilaration, and occasionally exhaustion, as you walk off the last green. Now imagine the feeling after 90 holes!
On Thursday 14 June I completed the “Norwood Golf Aid Challenge” (for the 3rd consecutive year) – 5 rounds of golf, 5 different golf courses and all in the space of just 15 hours (including travelling time)!
16 golfers participated in the Challenge this year. My alarm clock sounded at 2am. For a moment, I wondered why I had been woken at such an unpalatable hour but then I quickly remembered that I needed to get to Aibridge Golf Club for a 3.30am briefing and a 4am start. We tee’d off in the dark and unfortunately the weather was not too kind to us – I was drenched by the 2nd hole. To make matters worse, I had forgotten to put my golf shoes on and so had to play the first round in my trainers (I blamed it on still being half asleep). A school boy error!
But as the day progressed, both the weather and my general performance improved considerably. Having polished off the 1st round in just under 1 hour and 30 minutes, we moved swiftly on to Finchley Golf Club, completing the 2nd round by 9.00am. This was followed by further rounds at Hartsbourne and then Dyrham Park. By the time we tee’d off at Dyrham Park I was nicely warmed up (and had managed to dry off!), producing a winning performance with 42 stableford points.
The 5th and final round was played at Potters Bar. The last putt was holed at 7pm – 2 hours faster than last year.
There were hundreds of swings along the way, a number of divots (all repaired, or course!), countless lost balls, 4 birdies but, best of all, approximately £35,000 raised in favour of Norwood, a charity that specialises in assisting disadvantaged children and their families in achieving personal growth and maximum independence. Each year Norwood supports thousands of people whatever the issue – it could be abuse, addiction, family breakdown, financial hardship, special education or disabilities.
I have personally raised £1,700 to date, thanks largely to numerous generous donations from several members of the local community. With the support of a few late sponsors, I am confident of reaching my individual target of £2,000.
Amazingly (and much to my wife’s disappointment!), I still haven’t lost that desire to golf. So if anybody’s up for a round…or 5….do please get in touch!
Article submitted by Joe Arazi
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