Epic effort by Blairgowrie Golf Club trio raises more than £4k for charity

It was teed-up as ‘The Longest Day Golfing Challenge’ and three Perthshire pals aced it, writes Gordon Bannerman.

Declan Gray, an assistant pro at Blairgowrie Golf Club, joined long-time members Fraser Matthews and Callum Dow in a bid to clock-up 100 holes at the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup venue on June 20.

The first drives were sent down the Rosemount fairway at 4am and the exhausted trio toasted success 17 hours later with a greenside pint in front of the clubhouse at 9.30pm.

“The weather was kind to us and we decided to change into shorts after the third round,” said Declan.

“We were into the unknown because none of us had ever played more than 36 holes in one day.

“We expected the legs to get a bit tender and sore. We just had to grit the teeth and get on with it. It was pretty full-on.

“We managed a 45-minute break for a bite to eat when we felt confident we were on course to complete the challenge.”

The three former junior section members were determined to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Callum’s grandmother Pat McGregor, who passed away earlier this year.

And they have raised more than £4000 by playing a ton of golf over Rosemount, Lansdowne and the Wee Course.

One-time Perth Grammar pupil Declan (23) and former Blairgowrie High duo Callum and Fraser were determined to complete every hole.

“I won our wee competition with a 27 over par total, but what surprised me the most was that we only lost three golf balls between us.

“We could have lightened the load by taking a lot fewer in the bags but we couldn’t afford to take any chances!”

The friends set up a JustGiving page and collection buckets around the clubhouse were filled.

“Family, friends and club staff and members have been very supportive and that has been much appreciated,” said Declan.