On Monday June 18th, the team from Stewart Golf set their alarm clocks for 3:30am to take on a 72-hole challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The team consisted of: CEO Mark Stewart; MD David Funnell; and COO Robert Hardie. Service Technician James Prewett unfortunately had to withdraw from the team at late notice due to a shoulder injury.

Key Facts

• 72 Holes Played
• 63,857 Steps
• 29.32 Miles
• 16,965 Calories Burned

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To boost the total figure, the group also placed an X9 Follow up for auction and donated all profits to the Macmillan cause. The team are still taking donations and appreciate the generosity everyone has shown so far.

05:00: The team tee'd off at Minchinhampton GC's Old Course, which was originally opened in 1889 on common land. Whilst the course has no sand or water, it does come complete with cows and all that they bring... 18 holes were completed without too much fuss in 3 hours 30 minutes, the team score was 78 points (best 2 Stableford scores). It was then straight in to the cars to drive 10 minutes to the New Course where the rest of the day's challenge would take place. 

09:17: After a quick pitstop to say hello to the staff in the shop, refill water bottles & switch batteries over, the team started on the Avening course, which is to host regional qualifying for The Open next week so is in outstanding condition, and flew through the first 9 a little too hastily. With scores on the slide the team settled in behind another three ball who ensured the pace was a little more sensible and scoring recovered to a slightly better level. The team putted out on the 18th (36th in total) at just before 12:45 so another 3 hour 30 min round, but with a disappointing 63 points.

With almost 45 minutes until they could get back on the course, the team decided to make the most of the gap and once again refill water bottles and change batteries, and also have a quick shower and sandwich before getting back out on the course for round 3.

13:30: This time the team played the Cherington course. With scores not getting any better and feet and backs starting to get a little sore, the team starting playing 'The Perch' to try to regain some focus. CEO Mark Stewart had a hot streak mid-round to score 2 points and survived a late rally from MD David Funnell to win the game 2-1-0 (COO Robert Hardie controversially missed out on scoring a point when the team forgot to start the game until halfway down the second fairway) with the team score another disappointing 65 points. 54 holes complete and the team had time for another quick pit stop before heading off to the Avening course again for hole 55.

17:15: Due to the rest of the country settling down in front of the TV to watch England's World Cup opener, the SG Team had the entire course to themselves, which meant that they were actually off 15 minutes earlier than planned. Armed with new batteries, drinks and snacks, the team started a new game of 'The Perch' and got to work. The team were starting to feel the strain now both physically and mentally, stretching at every opportunity to try to keep their backs, legs and feet as loose as possible. The wind had increased and the dark clouds rolled bringing fine 'wet' rain with them, which in turn reduced the light conditions. Incredibly, in spite of this the team played better golf, scoring 79 points.

The team skipped the traditional 72nd hole picture to run back in to the clubhouse just in time to see Harry Kane head England's winner against Tunisia, before sitting down to a well earned drink.

Steps Walked: 63,857

Miles Walked: 29.32

Calories burned: 16,965

A little note on the X9 Follows that everyone used on the day: they were incredible! They didn't miss a beat all day and made the challenge so much more bearable. All the team did was swap batteries after each round, putting one on charge while they used the other (the 4-amp charger getting the spare to full capacity before the team got back to swap again).