The Iron Golfer kicks off his 14-course ‘Great British Open Challenge’ at Carnoustie

Luke Willett, the London-based PGA professional known as ‘The Iron Golfer’, is aiming to raise £100k for The Golf Foundation by completing a unique 10-day golfing challenge which is to start at Carnoustie

On Friday the 18^th of October, at 7:30am, Luke takes to the fairways of The Carnoustie Championship Course to begin this epic challenge at the home of Golf’s Greatest Test. Luke will be cycling between all 14 Open Championship venues carrying his clubs on his back and playing a full 18 holes on each course. Luke’s new challenge is through three countries and travelling on two ferries across the Irish Sea.

“Golf’s Greatest Test was an easy choice for me. #thegreatbritishopenchallenge will be golfs biggest adventure, for this reason I feel starting at The Carnoustie Championship Course is the perfect fit and I would rather start playing Carnoustie with fresh legs.” said Luke, who contacted Carnoustie Golf Links back in July with his idea, knowing their huge focus on Golf Development along with passion and dedication to growing the game, he felt it would be the ideal place to start the ball rolling.

Michael Wells, Chief Executive of Carnoustie Golf Links added “The Carnoustie Way’ has always been to challenge the norm and ‘The Great British Open Challenge’ does just that. Playing our role in growing the game of golf is imperative and we are delighted to be the opening venue and wish Luke all the very best in this epic feat!”

‘The Great British Open Challenge’ may seem Everest-like as 34-year-old Luke seeks to highlight the adventures that golf can offer to people of all ages, but the cause he is working for could not be more grounded. He will be fundraising for the Golf Foundation, supported by The R&A, as the national charity works to change the lives of young people by introducing them to golf. All funds raised will go directly to helping more young people from all backgrounds to Start, Learn and Stay in the sport.

Luke is a successful PGA coach, based for the last three years at Hampstead Golf Club in north London. Luke’s golfing career is full of adventurous accomplishments. He has long-been a speed golfer and has even attempted the Speedgolf world record – his personal best is 121 (time in minutes plus score) – and some of his adventurous golfing exploits include putting and chipping through famous London streets such as Oxford Circus in 2018 and completing ‘The Iron Golfer Challenge’ – a three-mile swim in Wast Water at the foot of Scafell Pike in the Lake District, followed by a grueling ride that took in England’s steepest road Hardknott Pass and finished off with 18 holes at Windermere Golf Club, all in a single day.

“I am a great believer that golf is more than just walking around a course and playing 18 holes,” says Luke. “Adventure is waiting to be added to the whole experience either before, during or afterwards. I believe that this challenge will help make the sport more appealing to young prospective players and will ignite their imaginations. I’m delighted that I will be able to raise valuable funds for the Golf Foundation; we all want more young golfers in Britain and all the money I collect will go towards getting them playing the sport.”

Vanessa Bell, Head of Fundraising at the Golf Foundation, said: “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. We are thrilled that Luke is undertaking this new challenge in support of the Golf Foundation and the funds raised will go into supporting our activities to engage with more youngsters through golf at the grass roots level. It would be fantastic for as many people as possible to support Luke and donate to this cause.”

• To donate to Luke’s JustGiving page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greatbritishopen