By Lenny Strauss
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
Since its inception in 2003, the non-profit organization Golf Fights Cancer (GFC), has utilized the generation and passion of its golfing community to help raise needed funds for cancer organizations that support research and families living with the disease. Its targeted donations help procure equipment, services and amenities that immediately benefit both the treatment of a patient and the experiences of their families. The 2026 New England Golf Marathon, hosted by Golf Fights Cancer (GFC),. This endurance-based fundraiser challenges participants to play 100 holes of golf in a single day to raise critical funds for cancer-related charities. We at the Hometown Weekly had an opportunity to speak with Bill McHugh, who so far has raised over $10,000 of his $15,000 fundraising goal for Golf Fights Cancer. He also will be playing in the upcoming golf marathon, with his son Will by his side as his caddy!
LS: “Tell me a little more about the New England Golf Marathon. What specifically inspired you to take on the challenge of playing 100 holes in one day for Golf Fights Cancer?”
BM: “My involvement started with Ryan McGuire, son of family friends I have known for a long time, who lost his childhood friend Danny eleven years ago due to cancer, at six years old. This loss inspired me to get involved and join this cause. I think the two main facets of my life are to help people, and play golf, so why not combine them together into the things I love to do? Its been a great journey being a part of Golf Fights Cancer.” 
“The organization itself started with three friends, who after one was lost to cancer, the other two, [Jay Monahan] and Brian Oakes decided to start Golf Fights Cancer. Now its twenty-two years since its inception, and they’ve donated over $17 million to local charities and everybody involved in supporting helping fight cancer.”
“It's a unique event. You don't have to pound the pavement as you do in the Boston Marathon, which I’ve done a couple times with Dana Farber. Its my 8th year playing the Golf Marathon.”
LS: How do you physically and mentally prepare to play nearly six full rounds of golf in roughly 10 hours?
BM: “It’s very easy. You get up early; you meet a lot of great people. We start at about 7:15am and probably finish up anywhere between 3 and 4pm. Everyone is different, and all go at their own pace. Also, this isn’t the PGA tour. If the ball flies into the woods you aren’t going to go looking for it. You drop another ball. When you get on the green, anything within grip length is considered good, so you don’t have to putt out every ball. The best part of the whole day is the lunch portion.”
“You get to meet people going through it, surviving cancer, and hearing stories of what they experience. That is always the highlight, meeting them. In terms of the round, some people finish 100 holes, 120, I do 104; because my anniversary is 10/4! I do it to make my wife laugh. Besides the game itself, the lunch portion acknowledges fundraisers, and a lot of great people.”
LS: “I see, you've already raised over $10000 for this upcoming event. That's amazing. Tell me about your process for fundraising?”
BM: “We are on our way to our $15,000 goal, but we’re not there yet. A lot of donations come in during the last week, four days, even the day of the event! The donations trickle in, and all are handled through the GFC website. It is quite the organization.”
The upcoming Golf Marathon is scheduled for June 4 and 5, 2026, at the Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, MA. While the two-day event is sold out to those looking to participate, there are many other ways you as readers can support such a wonderful cause! Those who wish to may find Bill and more details about his story and experience at golffightscancer.org/billmchugh, and if able can donate directly to GFC, to support the many individuals benefiting from the tireless efforts of this organization.
