■ The Longest Day is a national fundraiser for the Cancer Society in which participants take on the challenge of completing 72 holes of golf in one day. The Eastern Bay has several keen participants in this annual challenge, with the Wills brothers – Cam, Sean and Ryan – completing their Longest Day at the Whakatāne Golf Club today and Crystal Gledhill hitting the course on Monday.

Wills brothers keen to raise money for Cancer Society

This is the second consecutive year that Sean, Cam and Ryan Wills are taking on the Longest Day golfing challenge.

They teed off at 6am at the Whakatāne Golf Course, keen to raise as much money as they can for the Cancer Society.

“With my personal battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2020, I saw this as my chance to give back to the Cancer Society, who I have seen firsthand supporting other people through their own treatments,” Sam said.

“It’s not appreciated enough just how much having someone to talk to while sitting down for chemo can help to distract you from the whole situation.

“I was extremely fortunate to have a great support system of family and friends, but not everyone has that and they rely on the Cancer Society volunteers.”

Sean Wills said it was an easy decision when the group chatted about doing it again.

“With raising the $4500 that we did last year, we realised that we can actually do something that helps the Cancer Society, so it was really a no brainer to do it again this year.”

They hope to eclipse last year’s fundraising effort.

“Of course we’re aiming to beat last year’s total, but we’ll be absolutely stoked to get anywhere near the same amount.”

As for their golf, it has improved since last year, which they expect will make the challenge somewhat easier.

“Cam and I have shaved about five strokes off of our handicaps, while Ryan is around two or three better than last year,” said Sean. “Unfortunately, he doesn’t get to get out on the course as much as we do with how busy he is working out of town this past year.”

The brothers are hoping to knock out the 72 holes more quickly this year with their improved game and dry conditions forecast.

“It’ll be nice to finish in less time, which hopefully we will as the weather forecast is looking better than the torrential rain we played in last year. Should be less time between rounds changing out of wet clothes.”

“It took us around 13 hours last time, teeing off at 6am and finishing at 7pm

Their younger cousin, Levi, had intended to join them but has been sidelined by injury.

“He’ll still be there supporting from the carts, along with girlfriends, wives, and parents,” said Sean

Having done it before, the trio say the hardest challenge may be surviving the sun if it’s out.

To donate, go to the Longest Day website https://longestday.org.nz/ and search for WHK Bogey Bros.

"Doing it for a friend"

For Crystal Gledhill, who has completed the Longest Day Challenge four times previously, the event is deeply personal.

“I had a friend who passed away from stomach cancer, so I do this is for her,” she said.

With several challenges under her belt, Gledhill has faced a variety of obstacles, from weather and fatigue to hydration issues.

Through trial and error, she has developed a strategy to cope with the rigours of endurance golf.

“The first year, I passed out at the finish,” she said. “I had no idea what to expect, despite the help of a pro golfer. I now carry electrolyte drinks, fruit, and a few lollies.

“The second year I was more prepared. My partner said that if I passed out again, I wasn’t doing it again, so I made sure I was ready and the weather was perfect.

“One thing I learned was to change your socks after each round; your feet will thank you. I had no blisters and everyone else did. The third year, the rain was torrential. I played in a poncho, and it slowed me down. It was so wet the ball didn’t roll,” she said.

Preparation for this year’s event has included plenty of endurance walks, including 11 half-marathons. Having recorded her efforts each year, Gledhill has a solid understanding of how to prepare.

“Last year, I walked 38km over 12.5 hours, which amounted to 51,377 steps while chasing a little ball. The Whakatāne club supplied the cart, so their support has been amazing,” Gledhill said.

Her support crew is always nearby, driving a cart beside her with fuel and fluids, and sometimes playing a few holes alongside her for encouragement. After the first round, breakfast – usually McDonald’s – will be waiting to make up for the 5.30am start.

Last year, Gledhill raised $3400 for the Cancer Society and she hopes to beat that total this year. A new sponsor, Southern Cross Horticulture, has already contributed $1000, giving her campaign a strong start.

Her current fundraising total is $3227.54, putting Gledhill on track for a record-breaking 2025.

Tee-off is 5.30am on Monday at the Whakatāne Golf Course.

To donate, go to the Longest Day website https://longestday.org.nz/ and search for Crystal Gledhill.