Doncaster brothers take on marathon golf challenge in memory of dad who died of prostate cancer

On Saturday, John and his two brothers will be stepping up to the charity’s challenge of taking on The Big Golf Race to honour their late father and help stop prostate cancer being a killer.

This year the leading men’s health charity is urging the public to join them and help save dads, grandads, brothers, lovers and friends from a disease killing one man every 45 minutes in the UK, and after a successful launch last summer, the intrepid golfing challenge is back and bigger than ever.

John and his brothers his brothers Phil (51) and Peter (45) will tackle the marathon - which consists of four rounds and 26 miles of walking in a single day - at Thornhurst Manor Golf club near Doncaster

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2019, John’s dad Brian sadly passed away on March 24, 2021, and less than 24 hours later John spotted an advert for Prostate Cancer UK’s Big Golf Race, and took that as fate to sign up.

John said: “What makes the Big Golf Race different for us is that it is poignant to our story. We are all golfers, albeit not good ones, but we all share a love of the game. Our dad was the same. He wasn’t a great player either but enjoyed the game, like us. He loved to watch it and talk to us about our games too.

“My older brother Phil played golf first but only got back into it about four years ago and Peter only recently took it up about two or three years ago. I’ve been playing for about twenty years, on and off, but before lockdown played regularly again with Phil. We are all pretty similar in scores; they are big six-footers who hit long balls, but I have the short game to keep up!”

The trio, whose team name is ‘Tee for Brian’ have already raised in excess of £1,731.

Nicola Tallett, Director of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement at Prostate Cancer UK said: “Golf has been so influential in spreading the word about prostate cancer, but sadly this disease still exists in every golf club. Prostate cancer kills one man every 45 minutes – roughly the time it takes to play three holes of golf - so we need to continue to drive home this serious message.

“We’re delighted with how many players and clubs took part in the Big Golf Race in 2020, with our supporters getting involved in their droves and raising vital funds to support life-saving research and to support men affected by prostate cancer and their families. We hope many more golfers will take part this year and in years to come.

“Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, and the Covid-19 pandemic has made living with a diagnosis only harder. By taking part in The Big Golf Race, golfers who have joined the fight are playing their part in stopping prostate cancer being a killer.”

To sponsor John please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-waddoups2 For more information about how to sign up to the Big Golf Race or about Prostate Cancer UK’s work in golf, visit https://prostatecanceruk.org/biggolfrace

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