Christian Marsh may not remember the exact day or the exact year, but he does remember what happened and why it happened.

 

“It was just a few years ago and I spent a day at Bridgeport Country Club and golfed 54 holes, or three rounds that day and my buddies that were with me only made it for 18,” said Marsh.

 

Why so much golf in one day?

 

“My wife was out of town,” said Marsh with a laugh.

 

All kidding aside, there are few things Marsh loves more than playing golf. You can count his family in the mix, his job as the business manager and the Marsh-family owned and operated Quality Machine and you can probably throw in the United Way of Harrison County as well along with a few others he’d probably be able to rattle off of his head.

 

For those wondering what family, work and the United Way have in common with golf, there’s generally not a thread with the exception of Christian Marsh. And come June 21 at the Bridgeport Country Club – with his wife’s blessing and that of his family – the 2002 Bridgeport High School graduate will be doing a real head scratcher.

 

On that day, beginning at 5:30 a.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m., Christian Marsh will be golfing. Understand, the golfing isn’t with a dinner break, a trip home or a visit to the office just over the Harrison County line to get some paperwork completed.

 

On that day, Marsh will begin golfing at the Bridgeport Country Club at probably just before dawn and end prior to dusk. The goal is to not only complete nearly 200 holes of golf, but to do it in a manner that will raise funds for the United Way of Harrison County.

 

“I was trying to figure out something to do to raise funds for the United Way and I somehow combined my love for golf and being a member of the Bridgeport Country Club since I was a kid into this event,” said Marsh. “I’m hoping to get as many people to sponsor me as possible.”

 

To get how Marsh went from the guy knocking heads on the football field to an obsession with golf is coming shortly, first is how to get on board and help out. Marsh is hoping to get individuals to donate $1 a hole with an expected amount of 150 to 180 holes completed.

 

However, individuals can also donate any total – less or even more – per hole. Straight donations will also be given with 100 percent of the funds raised going to the United Way of Harrison County. You can get involved by visiting www.unitedwayhcwv.org. Individuals that know Marsh personally can contact him as well, but the easiest method is to do it on-line.

 

The day-long golf will include an evening-ending party that will include a silent auction. Marsh said prior to 8 p.m. those that that have donated will be invited to a cocktail party and cash bar on the back lawn of the BCC near hole number nine, where the event will culminate.

 

All those donating will get a chance to guess the amount of holes Marsh will complete. The winner will get a free round of golf for four at the Bridgeport Country Club. Then, a second drawing will be held by anyone donating $1 or more per hole.

 

The person winning that drawing will have a chance to win a 2019 Subaru Legacy from Jenkins Subaru with a hole in one. The hole in one event isn’t unusual, but Marsh said the setting will.

 

“I’ve been to golf events where that happens, but I think in this case you’re going to have a lot of rowdy people having fun that the person trying to win the car will be taking a swing in front of,” said Marsh. “It should be the capper of a what I’m hoping is a great day.”

 

While Marsh hopes to complete 10 rounds of golf, which some may believe is an absurd number, he’s not the first to go off what looks to be the deep end. Past United Way member and Bridgeport resident Tom Rhine ran for 24 straight hours at Bridgeport City Park in the past to raise funds in his role as vice president of the United Way.

 

“I’m trying to fill some big shoes. Tom Rhine is Mr. Community who did the marathon run,” said Marsh. “When I got elected the next question was what are you going to do. That’s a lot of pressure because he was a runner and I’m built for football, not marathons.”

 

It didn’t take long to point Marsh into the direction of golf. Although he’s played the game since he was a kid, the sport became his competitive outlet after completing football. In fact, he’s gotten good enough to where he’s tried out for the West Virginia Amateur several times – even qualifying once.

 

“I’m no standout, but I’m obsessed with it. I put a simulator and a chipping green in my basement and practice all winter long,” said Marsh. “I wasn’t really good, and I’ve gotten better with all the practice so maybe the practice will pay off in a good way by raising funds for the United Way.”

 

Getting involved, said Marsh, was easy. He said he’s followed the example his father and grandfather have established with Quality Machine by being involved in the community both in Harrison and Taylor counties. United Way, he said, was extremely to get involved with because of a familiarity dating back to his youth.

 

“I’ve always had a close relationship with the Tolley family and Bob Tolley is the one who got me involved with the United Way back in my youth,” said Marsh.

 

During his prep days, Marsh and his friend Ryan Tolley ran ACT-3 DJ Services. Bob Tolley, he said, had them volunteer those services for United Way events.

 

“It was a lot of fun and it allowed me to see the benefit of the organization,” said Marsh. “This event is aimed at that and that, plus having my wife as support staff and not being out of town, is a plus.”

 

For those wondering if Marsh is going to rush his golfing, he doesn’t plan on simply chipping and trying to get the ball into the hole regardless of the number of strokes. He said he’s determined to get to 180 holes and determined to post good scores in doing so.

 

“It’s a pretty good thing. I get to golf all day long and raise money for a good cause while I’m doing it,” said Marsh. “There are a lot of worse ways to spend a day.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Christian Marsh in front of the United Way banner, while he's shown hitting from the sand in the second photo. In the third picture, he's shown with his wife Lindsay and daughters Kennedy, 10, and Emery, 4. Bottom photo is of Marsh at the Bridgeport Country Club getting ready to put in a few practice rounds. All photos courtesy of Christian Marsh.