The Grove’s assistant professional, Isaac Rowlands, is ready to venture away from his day job at the top UK golf resort, for something a little wilder. Next year, the 25-year-old will be headed north — way north — to chase a place in the Guinness World Records for the longest golf marathon. But he won’t be just setting out to break a record; he’ll be doing it for a cause close to his heart, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
In the land of the midnight sun, Isaac will attempt to play for 32 straight hours at Lofoten Links, the northernmost links course in the world. Nestled amid Norway’s Arctic Circle archipelagos and dramatic mountains, Lofoten Links is a breathtaking venue for an equally breathtaking challenge.
Isaac, a former captain of the Cambridgeshire County Golf team, isn’t just taking on this journey for the thrill. At 19, he faced his own cancer scare, enduring two surgeries before getting the all-clear. Reflecting on that experience, he shared, “Macmillan were so helpful, and all of the staff were really lovely. A close friend has also just recently undergone a cancer operation and said the same thing, so I would want others in the same situation to continue to get this level of support.
“It will be quite the challenge to play for that long, but I couldn’t wish for a more inspiring venue to do it, and I’d like to thank the people at Lofoten Links for their support in making this happen,” added Isaac.
It’s a mission that has everyone at The Grove rooting for him. Joel Westwell, Director of Golf at The Grove, emphasised their support: “We’re very proud at The Grove to be supporting Isaac, while many of us are envious of him playing in such an incredible venue! Although we love playing golf, this is a seriously physical challenge, and we will be supporting him through training programmes to ensure he’s in the best shape possible. I would urge everyone to give generously for such an amazing cause.”
No stranger to stunning coastal courses, Isaac spent time working at The Machrie on Scotland’s Isle of Islay before joining The Grove’s pro team last year. Now, he’s preparing to make his mark — and make a difference — at the spectacular Lofoten Links.
To find out more about Isaac’s charity fundraiser, you can visit the information page here.
