The Longest Day challenges golfers to play 72 holes in a single day to raise vital funds for local cancer research, prevention and support. This year, the official date is Monday, 9 November 2026, however, participants can complete the challenge at their local club anytime throughout November and December.
We caught up with Aaron Jago, Team Captain of the Greenskeepers Anonymous, who are taking on the challenge this year at Royal Military College Golf Club (RMCGC) to hear what makes their Longest Day special.
Why is The Longest Day important to you?
It’s a rare chance to channel our local club spirit at RMCGC into something bigger than golf. Cancer Council ACT relies heavily on local fundraising to support patients and research right here in the ACT, so being able to give back to our community means everything.
How do you make the day special?
We go all out with decorations, balloons, a BBQ and custom T-shirts.
What keeps you coming back?
The shared suffering and solidarity on the course! There’s an incredible bond that forms around hole 50, when everyone’s feet are aching and the swings are getting sloppy, but everyone is still laughing and pushing each other to the finish line.
For our Greenskeepers Anonymous team, breaking the local record was a highlight, and it’s what brings them back each year to try to beat it again.
Do you have any fundraising tips?
We’ve printed custom T-shirts to sell to supporters, members and participants, with all profits going straight to Cancer Council ACT. A local sponsor covered the printing costs in exchange for their logo on the sleeve, so every dollar raised goes further.
We’re also running online social media drives, emailing friends and colleagues directly, and seeking corporate matches from local businesses. We’re thinking of adding a novelty jar at RMC on the day, with a dollar for every lost ball or out-of-bounds shot.
What are your tips for other clubs and participants?
Start early and share the journey, not just the donation link. Post updates from your training walks, show off your blister count, and keep donors updated on the day so they feel part of the grind.
Get your golf club involved, too. A donation tin in the clubhouse, corporate hole sponsors or a BBQ on the day all help, and opening the event up to non-playing members can boost your total hugely.
What advice would you give to those taking part for the first time?
- Change your socks every 18 holes. It feels like a reset button for your feet.
- Pace yourself. Don’t play too fast.
- Fuel up properly. Stock up on water and real food.
- Forget your scorecard after 18 holes. You’re not out there to set a course record. You’re there to finish 72 holes and raise vital funds, so laugh off the bad shots, keep moving and enjoy the experience.
Do you organise it yourself or as a team? What’s the best part?
We tackle it as a club, and we encourage others to play individually or form their own teams. The best thing is the collective energy: keeping each other motivated through 72 holes, sharing snacks on the tee box, and celebrating that final putt at sunset with a cold drink.
Besides the cause, what are your event highlights?
Last year, our Greenskeepers Anonymous team smashed out more than 115 holes in daylight hours. This year we're going again, and we'll be using glow-in-the-dark balls to try to play for a full 24 hours.
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Whether you play 18 holes or go all the way to 72, every hole counts, and every dollar raised helps fund local cancer research, prevention and support services right here in the ACT.
Cancer Council ACT is aiming to have 150 golfers take part this year and raise $50,000, and with a little RMCGC spirit, we know it’s within reach.
Register today at www.longestday.org.au, or find out how your club can host players at www.longestday.org.au/clubs.