108 holes not a bad round for charity | National News

Nathan Woulfe | 2nd December 2008

Matthew Knudsen (front) with his brother and caddy, Cameron (back).

THE guys playing the Australian PGA Championships at Coolum this week have four days to play 72 holes, with $1.5 million up for grabs.

Yesterday at Nambour Golf Club, 29-year-old Matthew Knudsen played 108 holes and didn't earn a cent – at least not for himself.

Matt, from Mountain Creek, took to the first tee at 4.50am aiming to drive, chip and putt his way through a golfing ton to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer.

He lost a close family friend to the disease almost a year ago, and has since been compelled to do what he can to raise awareness of the disease, which kills almost 3000 Australian men every year – roughly the same mortality as breast cancer.

With his brother Cameron caddying – in a cart while Matt walked – Matt tapped in on his 108th hole just before 4.30pm.

In doing so, he raised more than $6000 for prostate cancer research.

Shortly after closing out his sixth round of the day, Matt said he felt he had more holes in him – and would be back next year to add to his 108-hole tally.

“The legs are just a touch sore at the moment,” he laughed.

“People told me 100 wasn't possible, told me I was crazy, but hey, is 108 close enough?

“I averaged about an hour for every nine holes – playing decent golf helped, not having to chase balls.”

Decent golf indeed – even after more than 11 hours of play, Matt shot a four-over par 72 in his final round.

Matt said he had plans of turning his individual marathon into a teams event.

He offered big thanks to his sponsors – Nambour on-course golf shop, Drummond Golf, Golf World and Big Blue Office – and Cameron, without whom Matt reckons he wouldn't have made 72 holes.

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