THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN COMPLETED!!
A very LONG tiring, fun filled day was had by all and a great deal of money was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The team, four golfers and three support, met up in Benbecula on the afternoon of Wednesday 17 June 2009. We travelled to Barra on the evening ferry and stayed (briefly) overnight before rising at 0230 am to head to Barra golf club. The weather was awful; rain, howling winds and it was dark, very dark!
The golf was under threat at 0300hrs in Barra, but after a brief delay we steppped up to the plate and teed off at 0345 in semi darkness. Luckily, the opening tee shots didn’t set the tone for the day; James Winter's opening duffed 4 iron was enough to knock me down in hysterics without the 45 mph winds! He took such a huge divot that it could have become the 62nd , if it had reached the sea!
Many lost balls followed during the early holes in Barra, but eventually the daylight arrived and we could see through the driving rain. The scoring improved and the rain eventually became intermittent heavy showers only. We completed Barra at 0630 and made the 0700hrs ferry to Eriskay. A quick trip to Askernish and one BBC Alba interview later it was time to tee off for round 2.
We made good time around Askernish, despite the wind and the rain, and left at 1140hrs for Berneray. 1330hrs saw us on the Berneray ferry and heading for Harris. A great sense of relief was felt at this stage, the key logistical hurdles had been negotiated.
At Harris we enjoyed some improving weather, but we still got wet enough in the showers to warrant a third change of clothes! The course was great and the winds had reduced to about 30mph. Some more filming by the Beeb and the footage for the BBC Alba news piece was done.
The final road trip took us to Stornoway by 1915hrs and we teed off for the final round at 1930hrs. The wind had dropped, the sun was out and so were the midgies!
A more relaxed round was had in Stornoway with some good scoring on the well kept course, with very good greens. We holed out at the 72 hole at about 2230hrs, a mere 18 hours after we started. We were all drained, but felt a great sense of satisfaction. After photocall and some back slapping it was time for a few pints; and some reflective chat in the Stornoway Clubhouse, with some key prominent club members who had waited for us to finish. Many thanks for their support.
We rested at the TA hall in Stornoway before meandering back to our respective islands the next day.
Significant video footage and photographs were taken throughout the day. A compilation of reports, video’s and photograph’s is being prepared at my weblog:
http://western-isles-golf-72.spaces.live.com
please visit to view the videos and photos. They will hopefully give a feel for the challenge and enjoyment of the event by all parties. If the blog link doesn’t work please search on www.Youtube.com for ‘Western Isles Longest Day Golf’.
Over £2100 has been raised in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support and the whole event would not have been possible without the support and assistance of all parties and organisations.
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Also huge thanks must go to the following people who have supported us in the preparation and organisation of this event:Macmillan Cancer Support
BBC Alba
Northern Constabulary,
Calmac Ferries
CNES
Mac Signs, Inverness
Creagorry Motors Benbecula
Maclennan Garage Benbecula
Hector MacNeil Motor Hire Barra
Co-op Superstore Castlebay
Stepping Stones Restauarant Benbecula
Stornoway TA Centre
Barra Golf Club, Askernish Golf Club, Harris Golf Club and Stornoway golf club.
ALL have given time, services and goods to transport, cloth, feed, accommodate and motivate the team for the cause!
Also big thanks to the support members of our team:
Gina Hough, Hayley McLay and Bob Mackay (Driver)
PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY BY GIVING HERE.
