Longest day goes from dawn to dusk

When four local boys decided they wanted to complete golf’s longest day, they weren’t quite ready for what they had in store.

Zac Shirley, George Aerakis, Tāne Stephens and George Smith walked over 28 kilometres as they completed 72 holes at Green Acres, raising approximately $1500 for the Cancer Society.

With handicaps ranging from the high 13s to mid-14s, the group took just over 13 hours to complete the feat after a bright and early 6am start.

“It was pretty tough going into that third 18,” says Zac.

“That night (after), we felt pretty sore. We had a mean sleep.”

“That’s when the wheels fell off,” says George Smith.

Having gotten into golf 18 months ago, the group often plays long sessions at the course, says George Aerakis.

“We sort of thought, we’re already crazy with the amount of holes we want to play. But it’s never 72.”

They often play one and a half rounds, 27 holes, and sometimes play two full rounds. In the school holidays, they’re golfing up to five times a week, but during term-time, that drops to once a week or even once a fortnight through the winter.

Zac says a few of their dads are also golf-mad, so they also play with them often.

Off the course, the boys also enjoy surfing together, saying that’s partially how their friendship started. They’ve also been schoolmates and family friends.

Zac and Tāne attend Waimea College, while the Georges are both at Nelson College.

The group wanted to thank Green Acres, their home club, for supporting the challenge.

“They’re a big part of why we did it, as well,” says George Aerakis.

“Not just the challenge. But from when we started, they’ve been really supportive.”

Alongside getting behind the boys with a donation box in the clubhouse, the club’s golf shop manager, Tyrone Nelson, support was instrumental in getting them over the line.

On top of being there for the tee-off, he supplied them with hydration throughout the day and joined the group for their final 18 holes.

“You can’t say enough for what Tyrone did for us, he supported us the entire round,” says Zac.