Sand Moor juniors undertake 1000-hole challenge

15/08/2024

On Monday August 19 Sand Moor's juniors will all come together to raise money for a very special cause. Twelve months ago the Faulkner family's life was turned upside down when their 11-year-old son, Josh, was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma which required intensive treatment and hospitalisation for four months.

To show their appreciation for The Candlelighters Trust who have supported the family throughout the past year, his twin brother, Louka, his fellow juniors and the rest of the Leeds club have pulled together to raise money for the Trust – the main one being a 1000-hole challenge.

"Josh has become our role model and hero for his incredible strength and courage in overcoming this terrible disease. Inspired by Joshua's resilience, we now aim to show our admiration for his family by completing an ultra golf marathon," says PGA Professional Glen Ient.

The challenge will consist of the juniors playing as many holes as possible, with some of the younger ones doing laps of the academy course, in a bid to reach their incredible target of 1000 holes.

"Louka plays for our Golf Sixes team and Josh used to come to weekly group lessons and summer camps, and then his dad's also a member, so the family are a big part of the club. We made the juniors aware that we'd be doing some fundraising this year and they came forward with the idea of a 1000-hole challenge."

Pictured: Josh Faulkner (right) with brother Louka
and below: PGA Professional Glen Ient (far left) with Sand Moor Golf Club juniors

"There will be over 20 juniors involved and everyone will do individual sponsorship. There was a real feeling inside the club that we're going to get behind this. We announced it at the presentation night last year and then everyone starting coming forward with ideas, it was fantastic.

“The juniors have been incredible, we've even got one of them who's on holiday and he's planning to play 54 holes in a day. Josh actually came to one of my camps recently so it's the first time I've taught him in over a year so it was great to see him again."

Otherwise on Friday 16, the date of Josh's diagnosis, the club will be hosting an auction where part of the prizes will be a Scottish Open flag signed by Rory McIlroy, Leeds United tickets, PlayStation 5 and a weekend away in Wales. Then on the Saturday there will be a team competition with half of the entry fee being donated to the charity.

For details on how to donate click here

Pictured: Louka and family