MOST golfers can play 36 holes in a day but spare a thought for Rory Woolridge, who will today complete five-and-a-half rounds in a golfathon.

The 45-year-old from Kempsey is pushing himself to the limits to raise money for St Richard's Hospice.

He is teeing off at 4.30am this morning for a non-stop 16-hour circuit of golf at the Vale Golf and Country Club near Bishampton.

The 10-handicapper has played 14 rounds in the last few weeks to acclimatise, including a week in Portugal, for what will be his third golfathon after previous efforts in 1993 and 1999.

Rory was inspired to fundraise after he lost his mother to bone cancer in 1991 and his first effort in 1993 raised nearly £9,000.

For his latest, and last, venture he will be playing against 11 opponents over 100 holes across the day.

He will be supported by wife Yvonne and friend Daphne, who will effectively be his caddies.

"They will basically be keeping my spirits and fluid levels up because by the time I've played four rounds I haven't got a clue what is going on," said Rory.

"The last time I did a golfathon I collapsed in the car and my wife had to drive the car right up to the front door to unload and get me in the house."

The Vale course is some 6,500 yards long and with another 1,000 or so yards between tees Rory could be walking well over 20 miles.

To make matters even more difficult, Rory suffers from both asthma and hay fever and weather experts were predicted a sweltering day on the fairways for his golfathon.

"The first golfathon I did I just breezed it but they have got progressively harder," admitted Rory.

"But I am a lot fitter than in 1999 when I had a back problem when I was standing on the first tee and didn't know if I would even make the first hole."

A competitive streak means Rory, who is also chairman of Worcester Breakfast Club, will be out to beat every one of his opponents and is aiming to shoot below 85 a round on the par 74 course.

During the day he will be hitting in the region of 500 shots and hopefully not losing too many balls.

Two years ago he lost just three balls in his golfathon, which around a tough course like the Vale is no mean achievement.

Rory has given military style like precision to the day.

"It has been quite a logistical exercise and everything is timed.

"All my opponents have got times and I've got ten minutes leeway either side."

On June 29 Rory is holding a fundraiser dinner and disco at Worcester Rugby Club with an auction.

For more details or to help hisfundraising efforts log onto www.breakfastclub.uk.co.