#TheGreatBritishOpenChallenge gets off to best possible start

With an opening tee shot on Golf’s Greatest Test® 401-yard first hole at 7.30am this morning, Luke Willett, the London-based PGA professional known as ‘The Iron Golfer’ joined by Carnoustie Golf Links’ Deputy Chief Executive, Adair Simpson and PGA Head of Merchandise Rebecca Tulley, embarked on a unique 10-day golfing challenge to cycle to all 14 Open Championship venues carrying his clubs on his back and playing a full 18 holes on each course.

Raising money for national junior charity the Golf Foundation, #TheGreatBritishOpenChallenge got off to the best possible start with a fantastic £5,000 donation this morning from Carnoustie Golf Links. The charity has praised the “wonderful generosity of the Links and its staff”.

Luke Willett, the London-based PGA professional known as ‘The Iron Golfer’, is aiming to raise £100k for The Golf Foundation by completing a unique 10-day golfing challenge which is to start at Golf’s Greatest Test.®

Ahead of this morning’s round Luke explained “Golf’s Greatest Test® was an easy choice for me. #thegreatbritishopenchallenge will be golfs biggest adventure, for this reason I feel starting at The Carnoustie Championship Course is the perfect fit and I would rather start playing Carnoustie with fresh legs.”

 Luke contacted Carnoustie Golf Links back in July with his idea, knowing their huge focus on Golf Development along with passion and dedication to growing the game, he felt it would be the ideal place to start the ball rolling.

Michael Wells, Chief Executive of Carnoustie Golf Links added “The Carnoustie Way’ has always been to challenge the norm and ‘The Great British Open Challenge’ does just that. Playing our role in growing the game of golf is imperative and we are delighted to be the opening venue and wish Luke all the very best in this epic feat!”

‘The Great British Open Challenge’ may seem Everest-like as 34-year-old Luke seeks to highlight the adventures that golf can offer to people of all ages, but the cause he is working for could not be more grounded. He will be fundraising for the Golf Foundation, supported by The R&A, as the national charity works to change the lives of young people by introducing them to golf. All funds raised will go directly to helping more young people from all backgrounds to Start, Learn and Stay in the sport.

Luke is a successful PGA coach, based for the last three years at Hampstead Golf Club in north London. Meanwhile, he has carved out a reputation for taking on remarkable ironman-style golfing tests and his latest goal is to play 252 Open Championship holes during an 804-mile bike journey around Britain. The odyssey for Luke will start at The Carnoustie Championship Course in Scotland on 18 October and end 10 days later at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent.

“I am a great believer that golf is more than just walking around a course and playing 18 holes,” says Luke. “Adventure is waiting to be added to the whole experience either before, during or afterwards. I believe that this challenge will help make the sport more appealing to young prospective players and will ignite their imaginations. I’m delighted that I will be able to raise valuable funds for the Golf Foundation; we all want more young golfers in Britain and all the money I collect will go towards getting them playing the sport.”

Vanessa Bell, Head of Fundraising at the Golf Foundation, said: “Luke has a vision to introduce golf as more than a game: it’s an adventure. His efforts to make golf fun and appealing to entice more youngsters into the game fits exactly with the values of our charity. We are thrilled that Luke is undertaking this new challenge in support of the Golf Foundation and the funds raised will go into supporting our activities to engage with more youngsters through golf at the grass roots level. It would be fantastic for as many people as possible to support Luke and donate to this cause.”

Additional quotes from PGA Luke Willett after completing his first round at Golf’s Greatest Test“ it was incredible, what it was just the warmest hospitality and I think that’s what I’m going to remember it as, I couldn’t ask for more”

Deputy Chief Executive of Carnoustie Golf Links “it is a privilege, what a gentleman.” Luke “has the same vision for the game and for us to be able to support that was a real honour and we just hope the donation we are giving Luke springboards everything and we look forward to following him on his journey”