The Central Queensland University-based Queensland Health-funded 10,000 Steps Rockhampton program and the National Heart Foundation announced today the successful outcome of the not-for-profit Corporate Golf Challenge conducted in July 2003 with a total of $ 456 donated to the local National Heart Foundation branch.

The Corporate Golf Challenge attracted 113 players from a number of Rockhampton based organisations including The Morning Bulletin, The Commonwealth Bank, WIN television, Capricorn Credit Union and this years’ overall winning team Retire Invest/HOTFM.

The Corporate Golf challenge invited a number of local organisations to take the step to a healthier life and play 18 holes of golf – without the usual golf buggy! An average step count of 16,000 Steps for the day ensured the first step in a healthier lifestyle with each participant receiving a pedometer and personal log book to keep count of their every step.

Vince Pheely from the National Heart Foundation advised “exposure to a physically active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic heart disease. Just 30 minutes / day of moderate intensity physical activity can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 50%” The Golf day was a great way of sending the physical activity message to local business.

10,000 Steps Project Officer Emma Larsen said that given the tremendous support for the event that this would be a yearly event. “We hope to attract some other organisations into the event next year."