A GROUP of golfing friends will be taking on 72 holes in one day in a bid to raise funds for Macmillan.

The six friends, Martin Watts, Kevin Penna, Paul Budworth, Terry Burtrum, Graham Watts and Chris Lye, play golf socially together every week but following the death of two family members from cancer, the group has decided to take part in Macmillan’s charity golf challenge, which will see them complete four rounds of golf in one day at a course in Cullompton.

Martin Watts said: ‘It is part of a competition Macmillan is running but this one is just for our team. We did a practice round the other day, playing speed golf, and timed ourselves to see how quickly we could do it. If we play at that speed on the day, it will take us around 19 hours to complete — we’re hoping we can do it a bit quicker than that.’

The group is undertaking the challenge on May 21 as a memorial to Martin Watts’ father Anthony John Watts, former owner of the White Hart in Okehampton, and Yasmine Penna from South Zeal, wife of Paul, who were both well-known in the area and both died from cancer recently.

Martin said: ‘We’re doing this as a memorial to them and it is our way of giving something back to Macmillan. It is an amazing charity and helped me and my family a lot when my Dad was ill.’

The golfers originally had intentions of raising £300 but have already surpassed that amount, so upped the target to £500, which they have almost reached. They hope to raise as much money as possible however, so anyone who would like to support them in their challenge can do so by donating online at www.justgiving.com/martin-watts4