TIRELESS golfers capped off a mammoth day on the course by completing a 72-hole challenge in aid of a cancer charity.

Across 25 miles and 60,000 steps, Joe Hornett and Adam Taylor, both from Colchester, worked their way around the course at the Notleys Golf Club, in Witham.

Teeing off at 6am, the pair, both aged 22, finished their final hole more than 14 hours later.

Joe completed the impressive feat in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, and in memory of his beloved grandfather Tom Hornett, who died in 2013.

Tom, a former CID detective, was 78 when he finally succumbed to prostate cancer after ten years living with the disease.

“He was very much a role model and I was quite lucky to get quite a bit of time with him,” said Joe.

“He had cancer for about ten years. My nan used to say he lives with it, rather than he was fighting against it.

“For a long time he lived with a good quality of life.

“I was about 12 or 13 when he passed away.”

He added: “I can remember going to the pub and pushing him in his wheelchair, he was heavy as I was quite young.

“Perhaps one of the things people don’t realise about prostate cancer is it doesn’t just affect older men and it affects the families left behind.

“I try to look at the positive, at the fact I got to know him and understand him.

“But it leaves behind people like my grandmother and it was a difficult few years for her.

“It was difficult for me to understand at that age but as you get older you find ways of honouring his memory with a drink.

“He was a fantastic granddad, caring, quite serious about certain things – very much followed the rules and was quite traditional.”

Joe, who is about to start a job in IT consultancy, decided to take on the challenge to do his bit to contribute to the work of Prostate Cancer UK.

Across the day, which encompassed four rounds of golf, Joe hit 368 shots, with the more experienced player Adam shooting 324.

The golf club’s secretary treated the pair to lunch, while two of the pair’s friends accompanied the boys on their third round.

“I couldn’t swing the club properly in the final round as my back was going but funnily enough that made me perform better,” he said.

“I couldn’t hit it as far into the bushes as I normally would and was just using irons off the tee.”

With golf courses across the nation welcoming back players, Prostate Cancer UK is challenging golfers of all ages and abilities to take on its big golf race.

Those willing to take on the challenge have three options, including the four round marathon, a two round half marathon and a sprint - one round completed as quickly as possible.

In the UK, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

It is the most common cancer in men and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, with around 400,000 currently living with or recovered from the disease.

Despite this, there is still no screening programme for prostate cancer, as current tests are not reliable enough at accurately spotting the disease. More research is needed to find better tests and treatments.

Joe said: “Charities need our help more than ever at the moment, with a need to ensure men aren’t left unsupported during this difficult time and it was so heart-warming to see the donations coming in as the day continued.

“We had raised £950 coming up to the 18th of the final round and although we were shattered with aching legs as we sat down for a pint with the family, the members in the bar afterwards helped take our fundraising over £1,000, which was brilliant.”

To donate to the cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/joe-hornett

For more information on the big golf race visit prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/golf/the-big-golf-race.