Friends prepare for another twenty-"fore" hour test
Posted Jun 3, 2010 By Mark Kerr
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EMC Sports - Impossible to have a bad day out on the links, you say? Try golfing for 24 hours in the most punishing conditions, from insufferable sun and heat to the other extreme of torrential downpours. 
Edward Goodfellow tees off while golfing partner Andrew Fazackerley looks on during last year's Strokes Fore Hopes fundraising event at the Rivendell Golf Club in Verona. The friends will golf 24 hours straight June 24-25 to raise money for the redevelopment of the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario. The two previous editions of Strokes Fore Hopes have helped dedicate half a million dollars in donations and government funding to the local cancer clinic.
Edward Goodfellow and Andrew Fazackerley have conquered the 24-hour golf challenge the past two summers. And even though it hasn't been easy, they will attempt to complete the third instalment of Strokes Fore Hopes June 24-25 at Rivendell Golf Club in Verona, once again raising money for the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario.
"It's sort of at the point now where we want to do it and the whole year people are asking about it so we feel we should do it," Goodfellow said.
Excruciating blisters and extreme fatigue have been worth it for the two friends knowing they have made such a significant impact on the improvement of the local cancer clinic. With the provincial government contributing $9 for every $1 donated by the public to the hospital redevelopment, Strokes Fore Hopes has been responsible for dedicating half a million dollars to the redevelopment effort.
"It's just amazing what people are willing to do when they believe in such a (cause). It's amazing what you can achieve when everybody gets together," Goodfellow said.
The golfers acknowledge the event wouldn't be where it is today without the support of many different people around Verona and the surrounding area.
"Even if it's just me and Andrew golfing, it's such a community event, everyone coming out to be involved in some shape or form," Goodfellow said.
"It's very nice when you walk off No. 9 or No. 18 right by the clubhouse and there are just gatherings of people cheering you on and (encouraging) you to put one foot in front of the next," Fazackerley said.
And this year, supporters can actually play alongside Goodfellow and Fazackerley. A minimum total pledge of $250 will allow people to golf three holes during Strokes Fore Hopes. The more money golfers collect, though, the better chance they have of getting the tee time they want.
Goodfellow hopes there are a few adventurous duffers out there who want to golf at 3 a.m.
"I can almost bet on the people it will be," he said with a chuckle.
"I hope it's a success," he added. "I think it will be fun for us and I think it would be really fun for people to experience even half an hour of what it's like to play at night. It's very Twilight Zone."
In addition to the pledge-to-play option, there will once again be a silent auction with many unique and outstanding items on the block. Furthermore, the kickoff breakfast on June 24 from 7:30 a.m. until tee off at 10 a.m. offers people a chance to send the lads off and make a donation at the same time.
There are several corporate sponsorship opportunities as well. The full details are available on the website www.strokesforehopes.ca. As well, pledge sheets can be downloaded from the website.
With the major details worked out, Goodfellow and Fazackerley are preparing themselves both physically and mentally for another 24 hours of golfing without a break. Goodfellow has even gone so far as to work with a personal trainer in preparation for the gruelling exercise.
The long-time friends will lean on each other to help them get through whatever Mother Nature throws at them later this month.
"I don't think I could it with anyone else," Goodfellow said. "He was the first person I thought of originally."
"Twenty-four hours of golfing can certainly test your friendship, that's for sure," Fazackerley said. "But we are still sitting here and we haven't punched each other."
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