- February 4, 2026
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Golf is often a game of patience as participants attempt to carefully tee up the perfect shot. But pro Stephen Arnold had to balance that precision with speed recently as he worked to tackle the challenge of golfing 100 holes in a single day, with a charitable focus at the heart of it all.
Even with his level of experience, it was a race against the rapidly disappearing last few rays of daylight as he neared his goal. Then, with a final swing, he beat the self-imposed challenge.
Arnold, a golf instructor at the Longboat Key Club and Resort, set himself the challenge not only to test his skills, but also to raise funds for a local organization benefiting families.
He enlisted friends and acquaintances to donate to First 1,000 Days Suncoast through his "Longest Day of Golf" on Dec. 4 at the Longboat Key Club. The timing worked out well, considering one nine-hole course was briefly closed for maintenance, so Arnold was able to work uninterrupted.
Similar to a walk-a-thon fundraiser, supporters pledged either a flat amount or to donate a certain amount per hole or birdie completed.
Arnold also works as the director of instruction at Red Sky Golf Club in Vail, Colorado, and he shared his gratitude to members from there and Longboat Key for their support.
"We did this with 118 unique donations," he said. "All I can really say is thank you and share how blown away we were by the support."
He continued, "To have that many people support what you want to do, it shows the trust they have in you and the causes you believe in. It really is amazing to see that level of support and generosity."
That sliding scale of how much he would end up raising proved to be strong motivation for Arnold.
"I had a different member or client play with me for each nine that I played," he said. "It was, essentially, a continuous loop of golf. I teed off at 6:45, and the sun wasn't quite up yet. I just kept doing those nine-hole loops for the next 11 hours and finished right at sunset."
There was no time for breaks if he hoped to finish before dusk.
"Because I had those members hopping in with me, every nine was a new game, so in the end, it wasn't bad," he said.
The day was physically demanding with so many swings of the club and mentally demanding from sizing up each and every shot. Arnold felt some trepidation when darkness started to fall with 18 holes to go. However, it all contributed to the satisfaction he felt sinking the final shot.
He raised $57,000, and with a matching contribution from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation — the group that launched First 1,000 Days Suncoast — he facilitated a total donation of $114,000.
All told, he made 20 birdies, 14 bogeys, and two double bogeys over 100 holes.
"We had hoped to raise some money and awareness, but in my wildest dreams, I didn't think we'd raise as much as we did," he said.
His wife, Chelsea Arnold, is the organization's director, and she said this contribution will go a long way in supporting its mission.
She brought the connections with nonprofits, and he brought his connections with clients who have the means and interest in supporting their work.
"They do incredible work to support families who are struggling in our community," she said of the initiative's network. "It really brings together two worlds."
She said a contribution of this size can make a significant difference in the initiative's work, perhaps covering the salary of a family navigator, one of the key people helping parents find the resources they need.
As parents of 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 10-month-old children, they understand everything that goes into raising kids.
"We know how important this time is, so to be able to support others so they can help their children thrive is something we strongly believe in," she said.
Arnold said he was proud to be able put the skills and client base he has worked hard to build toward helping a good cause. Given the success of the undertaking, he said he hopes to make it an annual tradition.
"I'm glad to give something on my end," he said.
