Queru swaps the gorse for Icelandic lava

FORMER Siam Cup rugby star Brian Queru has faced up to some daunting situations on the playing fields. But his rugby career behind him, Queru, now a keen golfer, is about to tackle his toughest challenge yet.

He is to join 79 other Wooden Spoon Society members in a Guinness Book of Records attempt inside the Arctic Circle.

Queru, a seven-handicap, is to attempt to play 90 holes of golf, non-stop, on five of the most northerly courses in the world, covering a minimum distance of 29,340 yards.

The five are situated around the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, and while Queru is well used to playing in gorse-lined holes at L'Ancresse, in Iceland it will be between lava fields.

The target of the society's 'Ultimate Golf Challenge' is to raise in excess of £84,000.

Queru himself aims to raise in the region of £3,500, which will be doubled by the society and spent in Guernsey.

'I've raised £2k so far and I'd like to get to £3.5k,' said Queru, who this weekend plans to up his physical preparation by playing 36 holes in the big Bank of Butterfield/Brymay competition on his home course and tomorrow do the Heritage Walk (12 miles) in tandem with his children.

'They estimate we will walk about 35 miles in total.

'Three of the courses are cut into the lava itself. We will play as fourballs and have to play to competition rules. The courses are mainly par 71s and 72s.'

Queru understands he is the only Channel Islander to accept the challenge, but as a committed member of the rugby charity, he had no qualms about joining in.

'Head office sent out these brochures and it came across to me as quite appealing so I thought I'd get stuck in.'

The challenge will take place on 12 June, with the players flying to Iceland the previous day.

Queru and his colleagues can look forward to playing amid very dramatic surroundings and at the end of it all can look forward to beer and champagne before a good soak in natural, volcanic hot water.

The local branch of the Wooden Spoon Society has already raised £40,000 in its short existence, with all those funds staying here in the island.

To date, the society has bought for the Sailing Trust a multi-purpose yacht for the disabled and a minibus for disabled children.

'The Guinness Book of Records is going to get an adjudicator up there and it is hoped Sky Sports will also film it,' said Queru, who is stalking the island for sponsors.