THERE were emotional scenes as dozens of people accompanied four golfers up the 72nd and final hole of a mammoth golf challenge for charity. Friends, relatives, and Monmouth Golf Club members cheered on Russell Giblin, Chris Chalk, Dave Wilding and Rob Pilot as they completed the Macmillan Cancer Support Longest Day Golf Challenge, 14 hours after setting-off at first light.

Teeing-off just after 4.30am, the intrepid team knew the physical demands of walking and playing four rounds of golf on the hilly terrain of the ‘prettiest course’ in Wales would be challenging. But they knew their task would be made easier due to the goodwill and support from so many people on the day, as well as the many generous donations already pledged to their cause.

Playing in memory of club vice-captain David Uttley, who sadly succumbed to bowel cancer in February, the foursome played some great golf on the day, despite fatigue and the extreme heat in the afternoon.

They were accompanied for most of the day by Dave’s wife Louise, as well Monmouth Golf Club’s version of the Muppets characters Statler and Waldorf, Jon Davies and Jon Jones, whose wit and banter helped buoy the spirits of the golfers throughout.

The ‘Fabulous Four’ said they would like to thank everyone for all their help and support to enable them to complete the challenge – Emma Henry and the team at the golf club for the refreshments; Aaron Mills for turning up on the first tee to take the team photo at 4.30am.; all the members who loaned equipment on the day; Gareth Roberts for the ‘wonderful photography’; everyone for their messages of support and above all, the scores of people who have donated to the team’s Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising effort, which is close to raising £5,000 in total.

The event will become a firm fixture on Monmouth Golf Club’s calendar of events, and the challenge is made to all members to join in – donations can still be made via longestdaygolf.macmillan.org.uk/Team/monmouthgc