MEDIA RELEASE

13 November 2009

Thursday 12 November – 2,600 holes, 40 dozen golf balls and 12 hours later, 26 golfers completed the Auckland Golf Marrowthon 100 Hole Challenge to raise nearly $80,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).

The Golf Marrowthon 100 Hole Challenge is famed for attracting golfers from all handicap levels, to test their skills and endurance in the ultimate challenge of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day.

The 2006 World Long Drive Champion Phillis Meti joined the golfers to tee off the event. The golfers met the day with enthusiasm and brought a bit of fun to the event by dressing in creative costumes such as bananas in pyjamas and “Ali G”.

The first to finish the challenge was Marc Lindale. Marc was also the event’s top fundraiser having brought in a record $27,890.

The overall event record holder is Milton Jennings, Fidelity Life Chief Executive Officer. Milton has raised nearly $66,000 through his participation in four Golf Marrowthons. Milton, and fellow golfer Fidelity Life Product Manager Peter Mensah, walked the entire course to complete over five rounds of golf.

Up-and-coming junior golfer Brianna Maynard, at age 16, was the youngest golfer on the course. Brianna has been golfing for 8 years and became interested when she saw her father and uncle on the green on the weekends. “It was really fun,” Brianna said about the Golf Marrowthon.

Te Awamutu resident and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia survivor Steve Searle was also out on the green. Steve participated in his third Golf Marrowthon 100 Hole Challenge to help raise funds and also awareness of the leukaemia and related blood cancers and conditions.

“I am one of those six kiwis a day diagnosed with leukaemia,” Steve noted. After the shock and a bone marrow transplant, Steve eventually took up golf as part of the rebuild.

He said: “We know many families are affected by cancer and sponsorship of a Marrowthon golfer is one way you can contribute to easing that burden.”

The funds raised for the LBF’s Support Services which provides regular visits and contact, education sessions and an online information forum for patients and their families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood conditions.

The LBF Executive Director, Pru Etcheverry said: “We are absolutely honoured and delighted that so many dedicated golfers continue to support us. We are grateful and appreciative of the generosity which helps us to continue supporting patients and their families living with blood cancers and conditions.”

ENDS