Rudding Park Team Raises Over £7,600 For Local Hospice

ONE 4 BALL FROM RUDDING PARK, 12 GOLF COURSES, 4 DAYS AND OVER £7,600 FOR SAINT MICHAEL’S HOSPICE

17July 2023 – a team from Rudding Park in Harrogate, North Yorkshire have completed the ultimate golf challenge; playing all 12 golf courses in the Harrogate District Union over four
consecutive days and raised over £7,600 for Saint Michaels Hospice, the Rudding Park Golf Captain’s charity.

Peter Banks (Rudding Park Chairman), David Balbi (Rudding Park Golf Captain), James King(Rudding Park Head of Golf) and Marc Rice (Rudding Park member) started the challenge at
Oakdale Golf Club on Monday 10 July teeing off at 6.30am and finishing at Rudding Park at on Thursday 13 July at 7.30pm. Over the course the four days they played three courses each day
including: Harrogate, Knaresborough, Masham, Bedale, Romanby, Ilkley, Otley, Pannal, Thirsk & Northallerton, Ripon and Rudding Park.

David Balbi, the inspiration behind the challenge said; “I thought it would a difficult yet fun challenge, which it was even if my feet don’t currently agree! We must thank all the Club’s in the
Harrogate and District Union who were kind enough to extend their hospitality and the Captains of the clubs, many of whom welcome us personally. The chance to raise funds for Saint Michael Hospice and support their amazing work kept us going. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, several people set Marc his own challenge of breaking the 900 shot target and thankfully, he came in at 878 so that should help boost the fundraising pot too! The feeling coming up 18 was slightly surreal, a mixture of exhaustion and elation, however the support we received from the crowd on 18 spurred us on. What a wonderful reception, for a wonderful cause and I cannot tell you how good that beer tasted!”

Over the four days the team played 216 holes, walked 80 miles and lost a number of balls. It is still possible to show your support, donate at JustGiving Page.

Photo caption L to R: David Balbi (Rudding Park Captain), James King (Rudding Park Head of Golf), Marc Rice (Rudding Park Golf Member) and Peter Banks (Rudding Park Executive
Chairman) enjoy a refreshing pint at Rudding Park having completed the Ultimate Charity Golf Challenge.
For more details and images contact: Nicola Cook, Head of Marketing Rudding Park – email: [email protected]

The Challenge in Numbers
Average Scores over 12 Rounds
Marc Rice 73.1
David Balbi 79.1
Peter Banks 94.3
James King 97.3
Birdies
Marc Rice 27
David Balbi 17
Peter Banks 1
James King 2
James birdied the very first hole and Marc and I managed to birdie the 216th, our very last hole.
Highs and Lows
1 round of 69 (Marc)
2 scores of 10 on a single hole
17 rounds in the 70’s
3 scores of over 100
Up with the Lark
They woke at 4.30am and didn’t get to sleep before 11.30pm
Steps
The team walked between 161,000 steps (David) and 180,000 steps (Marc)
Balls lost
David lost 3 balls in total, Marc 4 and let’s just say Peter and James lost a few more.

Saint Michael’s exists to ensure local people affected by terminal illness across the Harrogate district can access high quality, personalised care. They do this by offering a range of services
from their Hornbeam Park – based hospice, and out in the community in people’s own homes.

Rudding Park is a privately-owned luxury hotel, Rudding Park has 90 bedrooms and suites, a spa, two restaurants and a kitchen garden, private cinema, two golf courses, meetings and events
space. Set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, Rudding Park is one of the most beautiful Harrogate hotels.

The full itinerary
Monday 10 July
6.30am, Oakdale
11.40am, Harrogate
4.45pm, Knaresborough
Tuesday 11 July
6.30am, Masham
11.40am, Bedale
4.45pm, Romanby
Wednesday 13 July
6.30am, Ilkley
11.40am, Otley
6.10pm, Pannal
Thursday 14 July
6.30am, Thirsk & Northallerton
11.45am, Ripon
5.15pm, Rudding Park