SCOTLAND rugby coach Gregor Townsend was in full swing on Sunday as he toured the region's golf clubs.

Ahead of leading the Scottish team to Japan for the World Cup, Gregor set himself the challenge of playing one hole on 21 different courses in 14 hours.

And ever penny that he raised was going to support his great friend Doddie Weir, whose My Name'5 Doddie Foundation is raising awareness and money for research into motor neurone disease.

Despite battling the condition the former Scotland star from Stow also took part in Sunday's challenge.

Ahead of teeing off at Newcastleton at 6.40am Gregor said: "Doddie is a friend, a teammate, a rugby legend and someone who will always make you laugh.

"In the past two years he has become an inspirational figure to so many people in his personal battle with motor neurone disease.

"He has been relentless in the pursuit of finding a cure for this horrible disease and has raised tremendous awareness and huge sums of money through his charity.

"It's been great to see rugby and the wider sporting world get behind Doddie and help him raise more awareness and money and I wanted to contribute in some way before we head off to Japan for the Rugby World Cup."

Along the way Gregor and Doddie were joined by some greats from rugby, including Jim Renwick in Hawick, John Rutherford in Selkirk and Roy Laidlaw in Jedburgh.

A couple of current stars, Stuart Hogg and Greig Laidlaw, were also waiting on the fairways at Minto.

Many local companies also put their weight behind the challenge with sponsorship and club's also participated with their own fundraising drives.

And an online Just Giving page, which had a £2,500 target, has already reached more than £6,500.

Gregor, Doddie and their support team finally reached St Boswells a little behind the 8.08pm schedule.

But the Scotland coach had managed to sink his final putt before dark.

Gregor added: "Please be generous and support a great cause, as there is so much more that can be done to fund research into curing the disease, as well as providing grants and assistance for those currently living with MND."

A fundraising total for the entire challenge is expected to be announced next week.

Gregor's fundraising page can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/doddiegolf