Last year, in this very blog, I stated in my confidence there was not a crazier person – or even anyone in the vicinity of said craziness – than Bridgeport’s Christian Marsh. You remember what Marsh did for the last two years?

 

Marsh, a member of the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge County’s Board of Directors, spent the last three summers golfing. That, in and of itself, is no major surprise.

 

The fact he had a day last year where he began just after 3 a.m. and then proceeded to golf for more than 15 hours and 304 holes to shatter the same thing he did the previous two years is a bit surprising. Actually, it is a bit insane, but it was done for all the right reasons.

 

Marsh was looking to raise funds for the United Way. And he did so to the tune of more than $20,000, which seemed like the end of the annual golf marathon because there is no way anyone can do anything so crazy.

 

I was wrong. There is another one. And while he may not be doing as many holes, he has added an element to it that makes it just as crazy.

 

Allow me to introduce you to Jimmy Stemple. For those who do not know Stemple, he is a Bridgeport resident and a 1994 graduate of Washington Irving. He also played Division I basketball at Winthrop before transferring to play at Bluefield College in Virginia in his final two years to earn his degree in math.

 

Stemple works for TMC Technologies out of Fairmont and is married to the former Nicky Ayers. They are the parents of two boys – Ian 8, and Evan 4.

 

Oh, and he has a screw loose. He will prove that, in the best way possible, two days from now on Tuesday, June 28 at the Bridgeport Country Club.

 

Although he is attempting golf 117 holes, and do 6.5 rounds, which is well short of Marsh’s total, here is the difference. Stemple is doing it by foot. For those who might not know, that is 26.2 miles or a marathon race on top of the golf.

 

“If it’s going to be 90-plus degrees that day, I may start earlier, but if the weather cooperates, I’m looking at starting at 5 a.m. and budget about two hours a round,” said Stemple. “I’m certain I’ll be going faster earlier, and my pace will slow down as the day goes along.”

 

Even with that, he expects to finish by 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. Not bad without a cart being used between holes or for any form of transportation for Stemple. And he has the endorsement of Marsh, who officially retired in 2021.

 

“I ran into him volunteering at something else last year and we talked about it, and he told me he was done, which led me to the idea of doing it,” said Stemple. “Before I approached anyone, I asked my wife because this is a big commitment and she agreed. After that, I talked to Christian and here we area. He’s been such a big help with a few training runs I’ve done, and we’ve played a day of 36 holes already.”

 

Stemple is not a novice when it comes to athletics. As noted, he played Division I basketball. He also exercises regularly and even competed in an Ironman competition. However, he was not sure about tackling the challenge until someone in his family got his competitive juices flowing.

 

“I knew I set a goal and that it was a bit crazy, but I told my brother and the first thing out of his mouth was he didn’t think I could do it. That makes me want to do it even more,” said Stemple, of his older brother John, “He’ll actually be shadowing me in the cart with my clubs, so I guess we’re both a bit nuts for doing this.”

 

Here is what else is unique – Stemple has no affiliation with United Way. There is no tie locally or nationally.

 

“I just decided I wanted to volunteer,” said Stemple.

 

The good news is that the volunteer is already raising a lot of coin for the United Way and all of the great services it supports. And you can help him raise even more.

 

“We’ve already hit the $10,000 mark. I would really love to match or surpass Christian’s mark, but any amount we raise is appreciated and any amount anyone wants to donate will be appreciated,” said Stemple.

 

Individuals can donate with a flat dollar amount. They can donate per mile, per round, per hole completed. They can do it by clicking HERE.

 

And if you happen to read this after June 28, you can still donate. In fact, Stemple will be soliciting donations when he is finished as well.

 

“There is a party being held at 7 p.m. with food and drinks and will conclude with fireworks (sponsored by Jenkins Subaru),” said Stemple. “After doing all of that, I’m going to approach anyone there and encourage them to donate. I don’t think that’s a terrible thing to do.”

 

It is not. And it certainly is not crazy.

 

Editor's Note: Photos in this story courtesy of Jimmy Stemple.