Archie’s coast to coast challenge

 

Derbyshire based junior golfer Archie Qualtrough is preparing for a daunting fundraising challenge to become the first person to hit a golf ball from coast to coast.
The 11-year-old, who plays off a 16 handicap, is aiming to raise much-needed cash and awareness for four charities in memory of two High Peak sporting youngsters.
Archie, who last year raised over £2,500 for the same causes by playing 100 holes during one soaking High Peak day (below), has planned a five-day, 83-mile route using 15 golf courses from Maryport GC on the west coast of England to Tynemouth GC on the east coast.
Archie Qualtrough
The cross-country challenge is to start on Monday, May 28, and primary school pupil Archie expects it will take five days to complete.
Archie, who is a member of the Derbyshire Under 14 squad and plays his golf at Woodhall Spa, came up with the idea at the end of last year and worked out the path along the approximate route of Hadrian’s Wall.
He told Midlands Golfer magazine: “It’s going to be very tough but I’m confident I can complete the challenge – I’ve been busy building my fitness level and I’m in the gym or out on the course every day.
“I was amazed by the support I received last year and knew I had to do something similar again to raise money and awareness for the four charities that mean a lot to me and the people around me.”
Archive is hoping to raise £6,000 in memory of Ben Strollery and Charlie Craig that is donated through his JustGiving page to YoungMinds, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), Finlay Cooper Foundation and The Golf Foundation.
Mum Anna says Archie is looking for the support of golf companies to help him achieve his aim.
“Each of the first four days will be dedicated to each of the charities and Archie is hoping to use social media to highlight their work and how they benefit and support young people,” she added.
“Any help in spreading the messages to a wider audience would help enormously.”
Archie will be sending a daily diary of his challenge to Midlands Golfer for readers to follow his route across the country.

Main image – Archie with his Woodhall Spa coach Neil Harvey