Golfing Marks Unite For Prostate Cancer UK As New World Record Set
- New world record set as more than 70 Marks unite for one-of-a-kind golf day
- ‘On Your Marks’ golf day officially ratified by England Golf as new world record for largest golf competition where all players have the same name
- Golf day serves as the latest in a series of fundraisers organised by Mark Taylor, who has raised over £300,000
- Celebrities, including Mark Foster, Mark Bright, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Mark Rylance, hail “wonderful, creative” idea
- To donate, or bid for auction items, visit onyourmarksgolf.com.
78 golfers, all sharing the first name ‘Mark’, made history by setting the record for the largest golf competition where every competitor shares the same name. The re-Mark-able feat was achieved at Royal Blackheath Golf Club – the oldest club in England – and was the brainchild of fundraiser and golfer Mark Taylor, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022. Since his diagnosis, Taylor has hosted a series of golf challenges – including conquering The Big Golf Race twice – raising over £300,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
To donate, click here, or to bid to for auction items, click here.
Taylor said: “Yesterday was about much more than breaking a world record. We wanted to create something memorable that would start conversations about prostate cancer while raising money for research that could genuinely change lives.
“I’m living with prostate cancer, but friends are suffering or have died from it by not catching it early enough. I’m lucky to have a large group of friends from the advertising and media industry who always support my challenges and fundraising efforts, so a big thank you to them.”
It’s estimated that the Marks taking part in yesterday’s record travelled almost 20,000 miles from 65 different golf clubs across the UK to make history at Blackheath. And with 10 of those Marks currently living with prostate cancer, the day held added significance.
The ‘On Your Marks’ golf day was born out of a ‘Marks lunch’; a meet-up where Mark and his namesakes from the media industry get together once a year. The On Your Marks golf day has captured the imagination of the golf community, with England Golf also pledging its support and ratifying the world record, while former European Tour and Ryder Cup captain Mark James backed his fellow Marks by becoming an ‘On Your Marks’ ambassador.
Monday’s effort has also captured the imagination of UK acting royalty, with Dame Judi Dench wishing the golfers good luck via video message, and Sir Mark Rylance praising it as a “wonderful, creative idea and such a fantastic way to raise funds at awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.”
Mark and his team of namesakes will continue their fundraising through an online auction, which is now live until Saturday October 3rd. It features exclusive sporting memorabilia – including an Open Championship flag signed by Scottie Scheffler – luxury experiences and golf days at some of the UK’s top courses, including Sunningdale, Open Championship venue Carnoustie and St Enodoc.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of people donating fantastic auction prizes worth anywhere from £25 to £5,000. Whether you’re called Mark or not, we’re asking everyone to visit the auction, place a bid and help fund groundbreaking prostate cancer research,” Taylor added.
Prostate cancer is curable if caught early, but early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms, so it is vital that men know their risk. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer.
Seren Evans, Senior Head of Mass Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Mark Taylor for continuing his brilliant support this year. Hosting a golf day is already a fantastic way to back men affected by prostate cancer – but a World Record involving over 70 Marks takes it to another level.
“It’s a wonderfully imaginative idea that brings people together and shines a light on the most common cancer in the UK. Thanks to supporters like Mark, we can fund more lifesaving research and change the game for men. Thank you to everyone involved – you’re really making your Mark!”
Ben Driver, CEO of Royal Blackheath Golf Club, said: “It was our pleasure to host the Marks and witness this wonderful new world record. Royal Blackheath, established in 1608, is England’s oldest golf club and we’re proud to have played a part in such a worthwhile cause.
“Perhaps now the Pauls, Bens, Matts, Janes, Paulines and Kates will want to have a go at breaking this remarkable record!”
To donate, click here, or to bid to for auction items, click here. Auction closes on Saturday October 3rd.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
For more information, please contact Seb Pearce, Media and PR Officer at Prostate Cancer UK, on Sebastian.pearce@prostatecanceruk.org. Alternatively, email pressoffice@prostatecanceruk.org or call 020 3310 7050
About Prostate Cancer UK
Prostate Cancer UK is the UK’s biggest public funder of prostate cancer research, and delivers support services and award-winning health information trusted by doctors and the NHS to help men navigate the disease.
Our mission is a future where no man dies of prostate cancer – and the next leap forward will be a national screening programme.
Over the last 16 years we’ve led key scientific advances that have brought us closer to screening than ever before, by developing more accurate tests and treatments that are kinder to men, and campaigning for their adoption across the UK. Our £42 million TRANSFORM trial is testing four of the most promising screening protocols to find the best way to test men across the country. And our 30-second Risk Checker has reached more than 4 million men, boosted early diagnosis and shown that mass awareness saves lives.
Everything we do is powered by donations from our supporters and developed in collaboration with men with prostate cancer.
The facts
- Prostate Cancer UK has funded more than £120 million in research – now £10-12 million annually as the biggest public funder of prostate cancer research in the UK.
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer, and if you’re Black, that risk is doubled.
- The earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat. But early prostate cancer often doesn’t have symptoms. That’s why it’s important for men to know their risk and what they can do about it. You can check your risk online in just 30 seconds by visiting Prostate Cancer UK’s Risk Checker at: prostatecanceruk.org/risk
- The best first test for prostate cancer is a quick and simple PSA blood test, and if your PSA level is elevated, you may need an MRI scan. You do not need a rectal exam to check for prostate cancer.
- Your risk of prostate cancer increases if you’re over 50, if you’re Black, or if you have a family history of the disease. If you are at higher risk, you have the right to request a PSA blood test free from your GP.
- Each year in the UK, more than 63,000 men are diagnosed and more than 12,000 die of the disease.
Support from Prostate Cancer UK
While our research and campaigning builds hope for the future, we provide help right now for men and their families. Anyone can get information and support from Prostate Cancer UK:
- Contact our Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383, or via email, webchat or WhatsApp at prostatecanceruk.org/nurses
- Get online and printed health information at prostatecanceruk.org/information
- Speak to trained volunteers with experience of prostate cancer at prostatecanceruk.org/one-to-one
Most of our funding comes directly from men affected by prostate cancer and those connected to them. Anyone can support our work by donating or volunteering at prostatecanceruk.org.
About ‘On Your Marks’
Because of the commonality of the name Mark among older Men, an idea at lunch occurred of recreating the famous Monty Python Sketch where everyone is called Bruce took hold – but with twist – a golf event where everyone was called Mark.
One Mark reached out to another Mark and non-Marks. Royal Blackheath, the oldest club in England donated its course. England Golf pledged its support and is ratifying the world record. England Golf reached out to the members of their 1,800 affiliated golf clubs. Former European Tour and Ryder Cup captain Mark James, the UK’s most famous golfing Mark, backed his fellow Marks by becoming an On Your Marks’ ambassador. Golf media and national media spread the idea and called for Marks to play.
Mark Taylor and his team of namesakes also created fundraising through an online auction, which is now live until Saturday October 3rd. Mark Darbon, CEO of the R&A, donated an 18th hole flag from the Open at Royal Portrush signed by Scottie Scheffler. Mark Stewart, the CEO of Stewart Golf donated an electric trolley. One Mark donated his Manchester United shirt signed by the ‘holy trinity’ (Charlton, Law and Best). Mark Warner donated a holiday. A window cleaner donated the cleaning of your house’s windows inside and out. There are also luxury experiences and golf days at some of the UK’s top courses, including Sunningdale, Royal Aberdeen, Open Championship venue Carnoustie and St Enodoc.