A personal loss has inspired one X-Golf Shire member to take on an extraordinary fundraising challenge, with Cronulla local Alex Mihellis preparing to hit golf balls for 29 hours straight to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.
Alex, 36, will team up with close friend Nick Swanson at X-Golf Shire from 1pm on November 20 until 5pm on November 21, raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia as part of a community effort supported by X-Golf.
The challenge reflects the purpose of X-Golf for Good, the franchise network’s national community fundraising initiative, which brings venues, members and local communities together to support causes making a meaningful difference.
For Alex, the cause is deeply personal. His stepfather, who also lived in Cronulla, died from prostate cancer last year after the disease went undetected until it was too late.
“He didn’t really have symptoms. He complained about a sore back, but we didn’t pick up on what was happening until it was too late,” Alex said.
“That’s the whole reason behind this. We want to create awareness and encourage men to get checked, be proactive and not just assume everything will be alright. If we can help save even one person, it’s worth doing.”
A regular at X-Golf Shire for four years, Alex first discovered indoor golf at a birthday event organised by friends and has since become a passionate member of the local golfing community. He and Nick have a history of taking on unusual personal challenges, including appearing on televised adventure series The Ultimate Escape. This time, they are putting that appetite for endurance to work for a cause that has affected their own community.
X-Golf Operations Manager Steve Goodluck said the challenge was a powerful example of how the venue’s community could turn a shared interest into meaningful support for others.
“X-Golf is about more than golf. Our venues bring people together, build friendships and create a strong sense of community. X-Golf for Good gives us an opportunity to channel that connection into causes that genuinely matter to our members and the people around us.”
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia estimates around 29,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Alex hopes the marathon will encourage Shire locals to support the cause and remind men not to ignore changes in their health or put off seeking medical advice.
“Early detection is the main goal. Be proactive and don’t wait,” Alex said.
Steve said the fundraising challenge captured the wider ambition of X-Golf for Good: supporting local causes through the relationships built at each venue.
“Every community has causes that hit close to home. X-Golf for Good is about giving our venues and members a practical way to support those causes, whether that’s through fundraising, events or simply helping spread the word,” he said.
“Last year, our network raised more than $21,000 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. We’re proud of what our community can achieve when everyone gets behind something and we’re looking forward to seeing the Shire get behind Alex and Nick.”
Running across the X-Golf network from October into November, X-Golf for Good brings venues and communities together to raise funds and awareness for local charities and causes.
Shire residents can support Alex and Nick’s challenge by visiting X-Golf for Good. Follow Alex’s journey on Instagram at @alexmihellis.
