Johnny Phillips: Golfers are urged to club together for worthy cause

Former Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling has undertaken several long-distance walks around the country to highlight the issue of prostate cancer among the male population, raising over £1million in the process.

This week former footballers Phil Jagielka, Mark Bright and Jay Bothroyd were among those who turned their attentions to another sport, as well as face familiar to all in the West Midlands – broadcaster and former Luton Town chairman Nick Owen.

All of them are calling on golfers across the UK to grab their clubs, round up playing partners and take part in the The Big Golf Race to help save men’s lives.

Since The Big Golf Race was launched in 2020, more than 11,500 golfers have raised over £3.4million to help fund life-saving research to radically improve the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated.

This year, the leading men’s health charity is urging more golfers to take part in The Big Golf Race to help save dads, grandads, brothers, uncles and friends from a disease that affects one in eight men in the UK.

Golfers willing to take on The Big Golf Race have three fundraising options: the Half Marathon (36-holes over 13.1 miles), the Marathon (consisting of playing 72-holes in a day and walking an average of 26 miles), or the formidable Ultra Marathon (100-holes over 35 miles).

To launch the 2024 Big Golf Race, former footballers and figures from the media and showbiz world joined Prostate Cancer UK ambassadors and supporters at four-time Ryder Cup venue, The Belfry, on Wednesday.

Hosted by BBC Sport golf correspondent Iain Carter, they enjoyed a round on the prestigious Brabazon course after learning about the impact The Big Golf Race has had and how their support this will help save men’s lives.

“I went through a traumatic time, as my Dad has just recovered from prostate cancer,” revealed former Coventry, Wolves and Cardiff striker Bothroyd. “It wasn’t really on my radar, it was only when he got it that I started doing some research. Thankfully he’s had the all- clear and this is a cause very close to my heart now. It’s such a great organisation to be involved in and the concept of The Big Golf Race is such a great idea.”

For BBC Midlands Today presenter Owen, the illness struck last year. In April 2023, the 76-year-old journalist was informed that his prostate cancer was “extensive and aggressive” and his consultant told him he needed to have almost immediate treatment.

The surgery was successful although he admitted he has been on a “pretty bumpy ride” afterwards, the broadcaster is making great progress with the support of his family.

Returning to the TV studios twice a week, Owen has also been able to keep an eye on the progress of his beloved Luton who are making a good fight of keeping in touch with those teams above them outside the Premier League relegation places.

I had the pleasure of being joined for the 18 holes at The Belfry by Ollie and James Phelps, better known as the Weasley Twins from Harry Potter.

There is a huge sporting rivalry in the family with Ollie a dyed-in-the-wool Villa fan and brother James following Blues.

Both are very handy golfers, too, and despite the torrid conditions on a rain and wind battered Brabazon Course, there were enough decent shots in their to encourage the actors to take up The Big Golf Race challenge, with Ollie aiming to complete 100 holes in a day later on this year.

Among those backing The Big Golf Race for 2024 is former Masters champion and Prostate Cancer UK golf ambassador, Danny Willett.

“The golf community’s response to The Big Golf Race has been incredible, so it’s no surprise that it’s now the biggest golf fundraising challenge in the UK,” he said. “It just goes to show just how far golfers will go to raise money for an incredible cause and I’ll be doing all I can to help them this year.”

And with the help of a few footballers along the way, this year’s total could be the biggest fundraising effort yet.

To sign up to The Big Golf Race, visit prostatecanceruk.org/TheBigGolfRace