ALMA, Ark. — The 2024 Endure4Eden (E4E) fundraiser, a 24-hour endurance golf challenge where five players will attempt to golf for 24 hours straight in Alma, began at Eagle Crest Golf Course at 8 in the morning Friday.
E4E says the main purpose is to raise money and awareness on behalf of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, where all donations will be sent to "assist in driving research breakthroughs, improving medical care, and supporting families of individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
Some of those golfing were doing so to show support for their loved ones.
“We're trying to raise $10,000,” said Zachary Burnet, one of the golfers taking part in the E4E fundraiser. “It's a great cause. they do a lot of great things, and there's a lot of foundations that you know you don't see the money right away for all the people with the syndrome, but for my sister, they pay for doctors and it's just such a great foundation.”
All day, the group of five was surrounded by loved ones and supported as they quickly tried to go hole by hole. Oftentimes, those golfing on the course would let the group pass and offered words of encouragement.
Philip Robertson attempted a walking-only challenge to golf 100 holes in one day to raise awareness for his daughter, Eden, and the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation. The fundraiser had an initial goal of $5,000, which was eventually raised to $8,000 after donations came pouring in. E4E says over $12,000 was raised, and Philip also eclipsed his 100-hole goal by finishing 120 total holes that day.
He added that his wife came up with the idea to increase the level of difficulty in 2024.
“My wife was actually the one who decided ‘Hey, you ought to do something a little bigger, maybe invite other people and get other people from the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation involved’,” Robertson said. “So that's where that came in.”
Not only was the group participating in the event for the good cause, but to try and break a Guinness World Record as well. The group is attempting to break the record for the greatest number of holes played in a 24-hour period while only walking.
In order to brave the night, the group employed glow-in-the-dark golf balls and headlamps. Players were not allowed to use golf carts.
Each golfer will be walking around 60-70 miles during the challenge, to raise money for a good cause and hopefully set a world record along the way.
Endure4Eden posted on Facebook on April 13 that a total of 200 holes were completed, and each golfer walked over 62 miles.
"We were hurting but feeling so encouraged by all the support everyone has shown us! And so thankful for the awareness both locally and around the country this event has garnered for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation," the post said.
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