A WODONGA golf tragic played 72 holes in the heat on Monday – but it was all for a good cause.
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Brandt Johnson joined The Longest Day 2017, the first event of its kind on the Border to raise money for Cancer Council Victoria.
Mr Brandt played four rounds at Wodonga Golf Club over 12 hours.
“I teed off at 6.30am and finished about 6.45pm,” he said.
“I was averaging about three hours a round.”
The Collective Communications director of marketing and public relations, Mr Brandt, teamed up with Wodonga Golf Club, CFA District 24 Headquarters Brigade and Wodonga company JAMU Drinks on the fundraiser.
Mr Johnson said he was glad he completed the challenge on Monday.
“As a golfer, it taught me a lot about the enormity of golf,” he said.
“You can play a good or bad round but over the course of 72 holes it all kind of balances out.
“As a person, I’m really glad I got through it. At different times in the heat I thought I might like to pack it in.
“But then people turned up at the right time for support. The golf club provided the cart and club members supported me; the CFA provided the cooling chair; and JAMU provided the drinks.
“My kids also came out for nine holes too.”
CFA Captain of the District 24 Headquarters Brigade Mark Slater said The Longest Day was a perfect opportunity to wheel out the new Health Monitoring and Rehab Unit.
“We recently had it built to keep firefighters from overheating on the fireground but these golfers needed to keep their body temperature in check too,” he said.
Wodonga Golf Club PGA Professional Gavin Vearing donated the use of a golf cart to fundraiser participants.
“The cause is a great one, and I’m excited to play a part in this effort to raise funds,” he said.
“Not everyone can give money, so helping the players with carts, food, sunscreen, cold drinks or even just moral support are great ways for others to get involved.”
Border golfers Craig Beard and Connell Flavell undertook the 72-hole marathon at Wodonga Golf Club on Tuesday.
Cancer Council Victoria needs $200,000 to fund research at Monash University into immunotherapy for skin cancer treatment.
This project will explore whether a patient’s immune response can be enhanced to stop the spread of malignant tumours.
The Longest Day 2017 fundraising portal remains open until January 31. To donate visit: longestday2017.everydayhero.com/au/borderbizcommunity