Mike Stradling is taking on a marathon golfing challenge at the beginning of next month.

And by the time he’s completed it he could be excused if he feels a little under par because the 32-year-old is aiming to play 100 holes in just one day.

That’s more than five-and-a-half rounds of golf at Naunton Downs Golf Club – the venue for his challenge – and it’s a challenge that will see him walk some 35 miles and is expected to take about 16 hours.

He’s doing it through The Big Golf Race to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and his target figure is £2,500.

Stradling, as you’d imagine, is a very good golfer. He plays a couple of times a week and plays off two, and he’s looking to complete the 100 holes in something like 20 over par.

“Naunton Downs is a par 71 course and I’m hoping to break 75 for each of the five rounds,” explained Stradling, whose dad Mark played rugby for Old Patesians for a good number of years.

Stradling knows Naunton Downs very well having been a member of the club for some 20 years.

The former Bournside School pupil, who lives in Cheltenham, started playing golf when he was 10 or 11 and took to the sport straight away.

Mind you, he’s never played 100 holes in a day before!

“I’ve done 36 holes in a day a few times, that’s quite tiring,” he said, before adding with some understatement, “100 is going to be a challenge.

“I’m going to try and get as many holes done as early as possible just in case the heat gets a little much.”

Stradling, who will be assisted by a couple of caddies, will also be joined by various playing partners along the way.

He reckons his 100-hole marathon will be “right up there” alongside the toughest challenges he has taken on, so how does he think he’ll feel when he completes the 100^th hole.

“I think I’ll be alright when I’ve finished,” he said, “but the next day will be a killer. I’ve had a few offers to play on the following day but I’ve politely turned them down!”

Anyone who would like to support Stradling should visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-big-golf-race-2023-37369?