IT'S ALMOST par for the course.

Almost 82 years to the day since the original record was set, professional golfers Nigel Preston and Andrew Murray have beaten an extraordinary golf challenge for charity.

Back in March 1921, golfers Stanley White and Stanley Turner took part in a challenge to hit a golf ball five miles across country from the garden of 'Beechwood', on the Buxton Road, to the Cat and Fiddle pub, in the least number of strokes possible.

And although White managed an impressive 83 strokes and Turner an amazing 64 strokes, Nigel and Andrew are celebrating after smashing the record in half.

Nigel managed to finish the course in just 34 strokes while Andrew was one ahead with 33 strokes. The pair have now raised more than £3,000 in sponsorship for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The challenge replicates the origins of the game where shepherds played across country, hitting stones with their 'crooks'. The 'course' crosses wild sheep country and high moorland.

Nigel, a former member of the European Tour, said: "This was modern day professionals with modern day equipment, taking golf back to its rawest form. Man challenging man, against the terrain, through the elements, in an attempt to break a long standing record and raise as much money as possible for a worthy cause."

And so the daring duo, along with caddies, spotters, supporters and film crews from the BBC and Sky TV set off along the course, climbing a total of nearly 4,000ft in the process.

Only one ball was lost during the event and a well-earned pint was waiting for them at the Cat and Fiddle once they had completed the six-hour challenge.

Andrew added: "It was good fun and I am feeling surprisingly well despite the distance and height we have just covered.

"We did have a helpful wind but it just shows the advantages of modern clubs and balls by the fact that we beat the original record by such a large margin."

Nigel would like to thank his spotters Andy Vooght, Simon Bolam and David Cooper and all the landowners who granted permission to cross their land.

Stephanie Turner