APART from a few blisters, Tony Main, Gary Foxley and Matt Stanton came through unscathed after playing 72 holes in a day as part of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Longest Day Challenge.

The golfing buddies teamed up for a golfathon over the Rose Bowl's nine-hole course and raised about £1,500 for the charity reckoning they walked close to 24 miles each in the process.

Special preparation for the challenge included abstaining from alcohol the night before and hitting a few extra range balls leading up to the challenge.

Foxley said: "We started at 7am and finished at 9.25 so it was quite a day. We did, however, have caddies for most of the time and would like to thank all those who carried our bags especially Lynn Rose who did the full 72 holes.

"We're also grateful to the Rose Bowl course for giving us courtesy and to Clive Staddon at the Chandler's Ford Golf Academy for providing us with two dozen golf balls. I promise you we didn't lose them all!"