GOLF MAGAZINE's Larry Olmstead Breaks World Record By Playing A Round of Golf in Australia and in California in One Day!

Press Release

Posted 2004-02-21

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- How can someone play a round of golf in Australia and in California in one day? Larry Olmstead, writer for Golf Magazine proved it possible and broke the Guinness Book of World Records for Greatest Distance Traveled between Two Rounds of Golf in the Same Day in the process.

Olmstead played two world-renown courses, New South Wales Golf Club in Sydney, Australia and Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach, California on Wednesday, February 18 2004.

With the help of the Australian Tourist Commission and Qantas Airways, Olmstead proved that there's no such thing as a golf course too far!

Recognised as one of the world's great golf destinations, Australia boasts everything from top class resort courses along its tropical coasts to the famed sand-belt courses of the south. Best of all, the climate is nothing if not golf-friendly!

After crossing the Pacific with Qantas and an overnight stay in the heart of sensational Sydney, Olmstead woke early on 'record day' 18 February and set off for a 7:30 am tee off at the historic New South Wales Golf Club on the rugged cliffs of La Perouse, just south of the city centre.

Ranked number three in Australia and 43rd in the world, the course features challenging holes built through hills and valleys and spectacular views overlooking Botany Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, the course's island tee at the 6th and the sheer challenge of the 4th and the 7th are particular favorites.

After a quick 18 holes, Olmstead made a dash to Sydney International Airport to catch Qantas Airways flight 11 at 3:35pm. On board, a fine Australian shiraz and that inimitable Qantas service fortified the record breaker for his next round.

Arriving at 10:00 am PST February 18 (the flight crosses the international dateline, gaining a day for travellers), Olmstead headed south from LAX to Newport Beach's Pelican Hill Golf Club for his next tee time.

Traveling 7,496 miles, Olmstead shattered the existing record of 5,954 miles held by Nobby Orens of the United States set on July 20, 1999.

Full details on Olmstead's experience will be featured in Golf Magazine's upcoming issue.

For more information contact Kristen Malaby at the ATC 310 229 4854.