IF the European Ryder Cup team show half as much determination as Cirencester golfer Ryan Dix then the famous trophy will be staying behind with captain Colin Montgomerie and his men at Celtic Manor this weekend.

Dix successfully completed an epic 24-hour golf marathon at Cirencester Golf Club last Friday – all in aid of Dementia UK.

Ryan, whose grandfather has dementia, started his challenge at 4pm on Thursday.

Twenty four hours later he had played a total of 130 holes (seven full rounds plus four holes, walking about 25 miles) and in the process he raised £1,500 for Dementia UK.

He was accompanied on his first round by Ed Goodwin, professional at Cirencester Golf Club, as well as members Sam Mitchell and Debbie Organ.

As darkness fell, he was joined by golf club members Andy Bell and Rob Simmonds to play the first three holes using nitelite golf balls, with the fairways and holes lit by glow sticks.

Ryan was later joined by Darren Tanner for another few holes.

He was supported by his mum, dad, sister and girlfriend and throughout the night they kept him topped up with food and drink.

Thankfully, for most of the night, the full moon shone brightly. However, at 2am, the skies opened but it didn’t dampen Ryan’s spirits.

At 3am, he was joined by golf pro Gareth Bennett and the two chefs at the club, Steve Maddox-Lyon and Neil Martin, who stayed with him until 6am when it was getting light.

By that time he had played 66 holes. Then it was the turn of Steve Page to partner Ryan for another round in cold and sometimes wet conditions.

A further round was completed with Ryan’s dad playing alongside, with his mum supporting from the luxury of a buggy. Ryan was by now very tired but carried on to finish another 18 holes. In between a host of society golfers, he managed to squeeze in one final round before he finished at 4pm on Friday.

He was met on the 18th by members of Cirencester Golf Club as he hit his last tee shot to just off the green, from where he chipped up to 12 inches and putted out for a par.

Well done Ryan, you are a credit to the club. Ryan would like to thank everyone who supported and sponsored him.

ALSO at Cirencester Golf Club last weekend, it was Finals Day producing the following results: Douggie Rolles Cup: Debbie Organ beat Howard Jones 1up (20th). Tovey Cup: Alistair Carter beat Ben Marsh 2up. Stradling Cup: Sam Mitchell and Ryan Dix beat Carole Richardson and Stuart Stancombe 5&4. Rabbits Cup: Robert Simmonds beat Chris Kiely 6&5. Junior Championship: Patrick Page beat Jack Landau 5&4.