Kings Golf Club have raised close to £40,000 for Prostate Cancer UK from their 72-hole challenge.
Taking place last week, a total of 70 golfers got involved in four rounds of golf at the Inverness club: a single’s competition, a pairs’ competition, a foursomes’ competition and a Texas Scramble to round off the day.
Four of the golfers in action at Kings Golf Club to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK: Andrew Martin, Jordan Andrew, Bill Andrew and Craig McKay. Picture: Callum Mackay
Those who were involved in all four rounds set off at 4.30am, with money being raised through donations for individual golfers, as well as a race night last Saturday and raffles available at the club.
Last year, Kings Golf Club raised £38,500 for the cause, and they expect to hit roughly the same total this year, taking their total fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK over the years to nearly £120,000.
Organiser Andrew Stokes commented: “It went really well! In the end we had 70 players taking part across the day, and everyone managed to get around which was fantastic.
“We were aiming for £50,000, but I’m a fan of throwing the javelin and aiming for a big number knowing we might not reach it.
“It gets harder every year, because a lot of the same guys come and play, which means we’re asking the same friends and family to donate again.
“If we match last year’s total, we will have done really well, so I’m very happy.”
A total of 70 golfers were involved at Kings throughout the day. Picture: Callum Mackay
This year’s challenge was the fifth the club have set out to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, inspired by the loss of friend and fellow golfer Billy Andrew to the cancer.
Stokes himself was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer, leading to an emotional climax to the challenge last year.
Another year stronger through treatment, though, and he reiterated that the point of the annual challenges is to raise awareness and encourage testing as well as the monetary side of it.
“I was delighted to finish it again because of everything I’ve been going through for the last couple of years,” Stokes added.
“I did well to get through the four rounds, and I was really chuffed and delighted that everything went well.
“We got a lot of really good feedback from everybody that took part. We had a lot of people coming up and saying it was brilliant, and that they are looking forward to next year already.
“There are a few of us who organise it, but we were actually thinking about doing something different next year.
“The reaction was so good though, we’ve changed our mind and we will probably do the same format again in 2027.
“For me the key thing is to get the message out that people should get tested. We’re talking about how to bring that to the next level next year, but it’s very early days.”
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