The Ultimate Charity Golf Challenge Hits Harrogate District – One 4 Ball, 12 Golf Courses, 4 Days….

10 July 2023 – a team from Rudding Park in Harrogate, North Yorkshire teed off this morning in
the ultimate golf challenge; playing all 12 golf courses in the Harrogate District Union over four
consecutive days to raise funds for the Rudding Park Golf Captain’s charity – Saint Michaels
Hospice.

Peter Banks (Rudding Park Chairman), David Balbi (Rudding Park Golf Captain), James King
(Rudding Park Head of Golf) and Marc Rice (Rudding Park member) teed off at 6.30am at
Oakdale Golf Club and will go on to play three courses each day from Monday 10 July to Thursday
13 July. The other courses in the Harrogate District Union include; Harrogate, Knaresborough,
Masham, Bedale, Romanby, Ilkley, Otley, Pannal, Thirsk & Northallerton, Ripon and Rudding
Park.

David Balbi, the inspiration behind the challenge said; “Each year there is a ‘Longest Day Golf
Challenge’ where teams play four rounds of golf in a day which is certainly no mean feat, however
in a moment of madness I thought we could challenge ourselves even further this year! It seemed
like a fun idea at the time, however now the day is here the prospect is somewhat daunting. The
chance to raise funds for Saint Michael Hospice and support their amazing work will keep us
going, so I hope people will get behind us and support if they can – every little bit counts.
Over the four days we will play 216 holes, walk 80 miles, Marc, who is a fantastic golfer and plays
off +2, will probably hit around 950 shots whilst I suspect the rest of us will shoot more like 1250
and no doubt lose a number of balls!”

To show your support, donate at the JustGiving Page,

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