Pro golfer Peter Mackenzie has a motto in life: appreciate what you have as you don’t know what’s around the corner. And this way of living has spurred the 48-year-old into raising a staggering £30,000 for Breast Cancer UK over the last few years.

Peter’s mum Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. It was a difficult time for the family, but Peter decided to turn a negative into a positive and has since taken on three separate golf-related challenges to raise vital funds for the charity.

Peter Mackenzie (1)

Mackenzie’s Mission to the Glen

A Professional Golfers Association (PGA) pro golfer since leaving school, Peter’s fundraising challenges have included playing seven courses of golf in one day along with a 24-hour, 250-hole golf challenge at championship golf course Nairn Golf Club in his beloved Scotland.

But his latest two-day fundraising event, ‘Mackenzie’s Mission to the Glen,’ was his toughest yet – involving playing golf in the dead of night, catching just a few hours of sleep, and walking more than 80 miles.

Kicking off at Dumbarnie Links golf course in Fife, Scotland, he was joined by the captain of the PGA David Scott, who is also the general manager of the club. The men played the 18-hole course and then, after a quick lunch, Peter set off solo for what was supposed to be a 30-mile walk inland to tackle the second golf course – Milnathort in Kinross.

However, things didn’t quite go to plan. Peter said: “I ended up in a field where I didn’t know where I was going, so had to cut back and go a longer route. So I basically ended up walking just short of 48 miles.

“I’d also lost my jacket in a bit of shrubbery as it was attached to my rucksack and was almost hypothermic because it was really cold and raining. So I didn’t get back until a lot later than planned.”

Glow-in-the-dark golf

After his delayed arrival – and a very panicked fiancé Jan as his mobile was running out of battery – it was a quick bite to eat of cold pizza, a well-deserved glass of wine, and an ice bath to relieve some of the stiffness. Peter then had a couple of hours sleep before rising at 2am to play his second 18-hole course at Milnathort, alone, with his LED head torch to guide play and glow-in-the-dark balls.

But there was no rest for Peter when he sunk his last putt, as after a quick breakfast with Jan he was off walking again to his final destination, the legendary Gleneagles Golf Course in Auchterarder.

Peter from Wilmslow, Cheshire, added: “The last day’s walking wasn’t as bad – about 23 miles – but it was lumpy because it’s all over hills and Munros. En route Jan passed in a taxi as she was heading to Gleneagles!”

The final part of the epic challenge was 18 holes on the King’s Course at Gleneagles which began in the afternoon after a quick 30-minute sit down and a well needed lunch. The successful completion of the fundraising event was marked with a Scottish piper and lots of friends, family, colleagues, and fellow golf players gathered to congratulate Peter on his impressive achievement. He was presented with a special gift by the PGA to mark the occasion and also recognise his 25th anniversary of being a qualified club pro this year.

Preparation and positive thinking

In total Peter covered about 84 miles and his smartwatch recorded he’d burned 18,000 calories – a stark reminder of the importance of training and fuelling in the lead up to the event.

On average Peter has walked 100 miles a week for the last year and said he’s lost count of the number of new trainers he’s had to buy.

He said: “You spend a lot of time training to do these things; it’s not a turn up and go event. You could do it, but you shouldn’t do it as you could seriously injure yourself. So my feet are still fresh. My shoulders aren’t raw. And in all honesty, I enjoy doing it.”

When the going got tough, positive-thinking Peter just thought of the people undergoing treatment for breast cancer or who had lost their lives to the disease.

He said: “In those moments you think about people in a hospital bed, terminally ill. I have a bit of achiness or bleeding and cuts or whatever but only for a moment in my life. Whereas some people are going to lose somebody through cancer. So that’s what I think about to pull me through.

“Cancer doesn’t have any respect for you. It makes you seriously ill or even worse it takes your life, so you’ve just got to appreciate what you have in life.”

A little good goes a long way

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women the UK but at least 30% of cases are preventable. Over 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Breast Cancer UK works to prevent breast cancer through education, scientific research, collaboration, and policy change.

Peter has been playing golf all his life, professionally until 2004, and for the last 20 years coaching and working in retail at Sale Golf Club.

His mum Jean, who was also an avid golfer along with his dad, is now cancer-free but is still his inspiration for coming up with even bigger and more challenging fundraising events.

“She’s massively proud of what I do because she’s been there and knows how much charities like Breast Cancer UK do to help people.”

“It does give you a sense of pride that you’re doing a bit of good. If everybody did a little bit for a good cause, the world would be a better place. Unfortunately, we will all experience a cancer diagnosis at some point. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or ourselves. And everyone needs to remember that and do their little bit of good,” he added.

Going once, going twice

Peter is very grateful to his support network both before and during the event, especially Jan.

He said: “She’s been brilliant. Without her support, I couldn’t do what I’ve done the last 48 hours. It would have been a lot more strenuous and painful to do it without her.”

An online live auction, which will include items such as signed sporting memorabilia and golfing kit, has also been organised by Peter and will take place throughout September – along with a barbecue planned at the end of the month. Both events hope to raise even more for Breast Cancer UK.