A group of local golfers has smashed both their fundraising and fitness goals, raising $10,000 on Sunday during the Cancer Council’s Longest Day challenge.

Alex Kealy, Tom Mason, Jake Stevenson, Rob Alexander, Mitch Davis, Dale Crothers, and Baxter Droop teed off just after sunrise at 5:30am, tackling 72 holes—four full rounds of golf—in one massive day.

The boys spent over 12 hours on the course, walking multiple loops of Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club’s three layouts. With the temperature peaking at 35 degrees around midday, the challenge was both a physical and mental test. By the end of the day, each had covered more than 30km, all in the name of raising money for a great cause.

The team was kept going by a cheer squad of club members and supporters who lined the final holes to clap them home. As they sank their last putts around 5:30pm, there were smiles, relief, and plenty of high-fives.

“Everyone knows someone who’s been impacted by cancer,” said Rob Alexander. “This is the second or third year this group have been involved in the Longest Day. It’s such a great opportunity for golfers like us to combine something we love with helping out a really important cause.”

The Longest Day is a national fundraiser where golfers take on the ultimate endurance test to support the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services. For more information or to donate, visit longestday.org.au.