Golf challenge for BBC CiN
The mother of fundraiser Charley Simpson has given her account of his dawn-till-dusk golf challenge for BBC Children in Need.
Rachel Simpson, who accompanied the Year 7 sport scholar along with father Paul, have given their thoughts on the day-long event, where Charley visited 18 courses around North Wales for a “dream round” challenge.
“Charley successfully completed his Dream Round of Golf in one day challenge. Waking up at 6am is always hard, particularly knowing the length of the day ahead, but we managed to coax him up and into the car to start the day.
“We arrived at Caernarfon Golf Club at 7.25am to a dull, wet outlook. However, energy abounding and ready for the challenge, off he went and played the hole. With a quick pause for pictures we set off for St Deinol Bangor Golf Club and with the weather beginning to clear he teed off at about 8.10 am for hole two.
“We got going again at about 8.40 am heading for Llanfairfechan Golf Club, where we were greeted by our first champions of the day, members who had come along to cheer Charley on. The setting of Penmaenmawr Golf Club in its nest of wooded mountains was beautifully lit by deep yellow autumn sunshine as we played the next hole, again supported by the lady members who were arriving for their Ladies Day.
“Then onto some clubs that are familiar with Charley; Conwy Golf Club, where his Junior Organiser was ready to tee him off, Maesdu and North Wales Golf Clubs and of course Rhos On Sea Golf Club – Charley’s home club and where the members came out to wish him well for the rest of the day.
“Luckily the traffic had been kind to us and we were running on time, so we managed to attend Abergele, Rhuddlan and St Melyd Golf Clubs to schedule, and along to Rhyl and Prestatyn Golf Clubs to complete holes 10 to 14 of the round.
“With four holes still to play at 3.15pm light was becoming an issue, plus Charley wanted to carry his bag of clubs for the whole round, and was visibly tiring despite the number of snacks he was putting away. The final four Golf Clubs were not so easily accessible and so we got going to Pennant Park, where the groundskeeper ensured an exciting buggy ride to the hole which cheered everyone up and gave us a fantastic view across the valley and estuary.
“Holywell Golf Club members greeted us with enthusiasm, and cheered Charley on so much that he managed to chip in to the hole from about 40 yards. A quick High Five from the club professional and we were back in the car for Flint Golf Club.
“Arriving here in the - let’s say it – dark, we wondered whether Charley would be prevented from completing his challenge, but with a couple of strong torches hole 18 was completed and a most welcome cup of tea provided by the club to finish our day."