The Great British Open Challenge

Take one bike, one set of clubs, 14 different Open venues and one complete nutter and you have the ‘The Great British Open Challenge’. London-based PGA professional, Luke Willett, he with a famous golfing namesake, is to pedal his way between all the Open venues playing 18 holes at each and cycling with his clubs on his back!

Why is Willett doing this? Well apart for having a penchant for nutty adventures, having already scaled Scafell Pike with clubs on his back, he is doing it to raise money for the Golf Foundation which supports the grassroots of our great game, including encouraging youngsters into golf.

The odyssey, as Willett himself describes it, kicks off at Carnoustie on Friday the 18th October and finishes some 804 miles, 252 holes and two Irish Sea ferry crossings later on Sunday 27th October at Royal St. George’s, the venue for next year’s Open Championship.

“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.” said Vanessa Bell, Head of Fundraising at the Golf Foundation. “It would be fantastic for as many people as possible to support Luke and donate to this cause.”

The Nutter's Open schedule

Fri 18 Oct: Carnoustie/St Andrews

Sat 19 Oct: Musselburgh/Muirfield

Sun 20 Oct: Royal Troon/Prestwick

Mon 21 Oct: Turnberry

Tues 22 Oct: Royal Portrush

Weds 23 Oct: Royal Lytham & St Annes

Thurs 24 Oct: Royal Birkdale/Royal Liverpool

Fri 25 Oct: On the road (Lancashire to Kent)

Sat 26 Oct: Royal Cinque Ports

Sun 27 Oct: Prince's/Royal St George's

If you want to support Luke’s efforts visit his Just Giving Page and donate whatever you can, Or if you are local to one of the Open courses why not pop along and cheer him on.

We salute you Luke and wish you well on your travels – don’t forget the ointment!