Last updated at 13:54, Monday, 02 July 2012

A GOLFER was today set to play a gruelling four consecutive rounds to raise money in memory of his late auntie.

Joe Kavanagh should not be hard to miss as he shoots a mammoth 72 holes around Dunnerholme Golf Club dressed in a bright pink outfit.

The 21-year-old has chosen the flamboyant attire to represent the fight against breast cancer following the death of his auntie Diane Rigg, age 46, to the condition last November.

The BAE Systems electrician expects to walk around 17 miles as he drives, pitches and putts his way around the Askam course.

But the Askam United footballer insisted it be worth the pain, not least because he has already raised £1,400 for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Mr Kavanagh, who devised the challenge himself, said: “I did two rounds last year in a competition at Dunnerholme.

“That’s the longest I’ve done so far – and that was a killer.

“My arms were tired towards the end of those two rounds, but my legs were not too bad.

“But once I get to the third or fourth round, I think the pain in my legs and arms will start to kick in.

“There are quite a few big hills you have to walk up and down, so it’s going to be a killer.

“It’s going to be 300 to 400 shots, and it’s about four hours a round, so it’s pretty much walking for 16 hours.”

The family of Mrs Rigg, who lived at The Green, near Millom, have already raised several thousands of pounds in her memory.

Mr Kavanagh says his striking outfit has attracted some jibes from friends, but wanted his clothing to reflect his cause.

“It’s to represent breast cancer and I thought I would kit myself out”, said the former Dowdales School pupil, who plays off a handicap of 21, with a best score of 85 over 18 holes at Dunnerholme.

“I got some stick from some of the lads I know when I went down to Dunnerholme on Wednesday night.

“So I think I’m going to start wearing it more to wind them up.”

First published at 13:10, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.askamlocal.co.uk