8:00am Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Stuart Grace will be hoping for a par-fect finish to a marathon fundraising day he is undertaking on Friday.
He’s hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the Piam Brown Children’s Oncology Ward at Southampton General Hospital by playing 72 holes of golf and cycling 72 miles between the five courses he is visiting.
Lymington-based Grace said one of the main reasons he had chosen the charity was to say a thank you to the ward for helping his close family friend Joe Walsh, who contracted leukaemia aged just three-and-a-half.
The former Walhampton Golf Club champion will play at Dibden, Walhampton (nine holes), Highcliffe, Paultons and finally at Romsey (nine holes) – his day beginning at the former at 3am!
The 53-year-old nine-handicapper hopes to arrive at Romsey at 6pm to play his final nine holes with home pro James Pitcher and Walhampton professional Kevin Saunders – assuming all goes to plan. But after putting in the training miles, he’s confident this will be the case.
“I’ve been riding 70 miles every weekend with GA Cycles and playing a bit of golf as well,” said Grace, adding: “I had 41 Stableford points on Saturday so the golf’s not too bad either.”
Although not comparable to Grace’s undertaking, Pitcher and Saunders will be having a pretty busy day themselves – playing in the club’s pro-am, organised in association with The Rotary Club of Southampton Magna, before helping Grace with the final leg of his charity challenge.
Pitcher, who is this year’s Hampshire PGA captain, said: “All proceeds from the day will be going towards the ward. Kevin and myself are just glad to do our bit to help Stuart ‘over the line’.
“I’m really looking forward to the whole day as it’s my home event. The course is in great condition and I’m just crossing my fingers for some good weather.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Grace, or find out more information, can visit piambrowngolfcyclechallenge.co.uk For more golf news, don't miss today's Daily Echo.
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