Golfing master stroke for cancer research

Australian golf pro Josh Marris has vowed to ace a world record in January while raising money for vital cancer research.

A year after raising $5000 for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research by playing 10 rounds in 24 hours in Brisbane, Josh Marris wants to beat the mark on an Orange County course in California, where he now lives.

Josh has the drive to break the world record for “most golf holes played in 24 hours by an individual walking.”

The fresh challenge is a very personal one.

Cancer has affected more than a dozen of Josh’s close family and friends in the past decade, most recently his mother. He’s been inspired by the courage and determination of those close to him.

“It might seem daunting, and I can assure you it is, but it’s nothing like the idea of fighting for your life,” Josh said yesterday.

“I played 10 rounds in a day last year and didn’t really prepare for it. But that was for a reason. I wanted to push my body and to feel the pain, because my Mum was about to start chemo.

“This time I’m setting the bar higher, and by aiming to break the world record I’ll need to spend months preparing in order to get my body into condition. This isn’t going to a one-day effort, it’s a three-month challenge.”

This time around, Josh hopes to raise $50,000 for cancer research and he’s appealing to individuals and businesses to chip in.

“Everyone knows at least one person affected by cancer. This is a chance to make a difference by raising much-needed funds for two great cancer research organisations: QIMR and the Cancer Research Foundation in the US,” Josh said.

Donations can be made at Josh’s website www.the24hourman.com