Army Captain attempts 360 holes in five days

Army Captain, Stuart Ball, has announced that he's planning to play 360 holes of golf over five days in early July 2012 to raise money for Help for Heroes and Scotty's Little Soldiers – setting a new world record for the number of golf holes played in five days.

Ball, an officer in the Royal Logistic Corps, is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire and plays golf with a 26 handicap. The "Enduro Golf 360 Challenge" will take place from July 2nd-6th, 2012.

Ball estimates that during the 20 rounds of golf in five days he will walk 120-140 miles, hit 720 putts, and swing his clubs 1,280 times.

The Enduro Golf 360 Challenge is taking place at five different golf clubs, all owned by Crown Golf. Starting at Cams Hall Golf Club in Fareham, Hampshire on 2nd July 2012, Ball will play four rounds of golf in a day there, and then at South Winchester Golf Club in Pitt, at Sherfield Oaks Golf Club in Hook, at Blue Mountain Golf Centre in Binfield, and finally at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club in Kingston Upon Thames.

Having had a five year break from golf, Ball started playing the sport again in February, and tries to play at least once a week. By the time he embarks on his fundraising odyssey in July, Ball hopes to have cut his handicap to 18 with the help of coaching from the PGA golf professionals at Sherfield Oaks GC - his home club.

Captain Ball said: "I am very excited and nervous about the goal I have set myself. I have played golf intermittently since I was 18, but have never had a lesson, so though I am physically fit, the actual golf is a bit of a challenge!

"My friends and family have been incredibly supportive of my fundraising challenge, and my wife in particular has been absolutely amazing, drumming up support wherever she goes. My fitness coach, Staff Sergeant Gibbs, is also relishing pushing me to my physical limits!

"In terms of the charities I have chosen to support, I initially set myself the target of raising £10,000 for Help for Heroes, but having recently seen the incredible work that Scotty's Little Soldiers does to support children whose parents won't come back from the front line, I have decided to try and raise a further £10,000 for that charity.

"If anybody would like to come along and support me at any of the golf clubs, I would be very pleased to see them - it's going to be a very tough few days."

Tom Brooke, General Manager of Sherfield Oaks Golf Club, added: "What Stuart is aiming to do for charity is staggering. It will be a really harsh test of both his physical and mental strength. Crown Golf is delighted to be able to help and to host him, and will watch his record breaking attempt with interest and admiration."

To support Captain Ball's Enduro Golf 360 Challenge, please visit www.bmycharity.com/StuartBall for Help for Heroes donations, and visit www.bmycharity.com/Stuball79 for Scotty's Little Soldiers.