Playing 72 holes of golf in one day will do that to you, but Mr Aluesi had no regrets after completing the Cancer Society of New Zealand’s Longest Day Challenge.
The 19-year-old and four team mates started at 5am yesterday, playing all the holes at Balmacewen Golf Course, Taieri Golf Club, Chisholm Links and St Clair, in Dunedin, before the end of daylight last night.
It was a golfing endurance event that tested skill and stamina, he said.
"As long as we didn’t sit down for too long and let the body get cold, it was OK.
"I play a lot of golf and it was definitely tough — especially with the wind and rain which made it a big struggle."
He said he completed the golfing marathon to pay tribute to his nana who was taken by cancer eight years ago, and a family friend who died from cancer in August.
"I did it for them and to support other people in their position."
If 72 holes in one day sounds like a lot, South Canterbury golfer Blair Struthers set another benchmark.
By 7.30pm he had completed 144 holes at the Pleasant Point Golf Club, finishing in torrential rain.
He had been determined to carry on as long as the day would allow.
Cancer Society Otago and Southland Division fundraising manager Jonet Warhurst said the cancellation of many of the society’s fundraising events this year had caused a significant loss of income to help support people living with cancer.
So she was thrilled with golfers’ responses to the challenge.
"So far there are 65 participants in Otago and Southland with $49,223 raised.
"It is not too late to register for the Longest Day Challenge and participants have until the end of January to complete their 72 holes in one day, to help raise funds for the Cancer Society."
Every dollar raised in the event would go towards cancer care in Otago and Southland, education and awareness programmes, and life-saving cancer research, she said.
"Whether it's driving someone to treatment, free specialist advice and support for cancer patients, sitting with someone during their treatment, or accommodation when undergoing treatment far from home, the Cancer Society is there to help."
While Mr Aluesi was pleased to record quite a few birdies on his score cards, he was not interested in the end result.
It did not matter who won or lost — making money for the society meant they had all won, he said.
