How many? This amateur has just broken the world record for the number of courses played in a year
Golf photographer Patrick Koenig has driven his RV all over America and teed it up at an incredible number of layouts. It’s a number that will put him in the history books
Count how many golf courses you’ve played this year. Even if you get out at every spare moment, it’s certain you’ll still be nowhere near the tally posted by Patrick Koenig.
The American photographer and blogger has just obliterated the golf world record for the number of 18-hole courses played in one year.
He notched up 450 in just 287 days after teeing it up at Omni Interlocken, just outside of Denver. That surpassed the number set by Cathie and Jonathan Weaver 14 years ago.
And the 43-year-old’s not finished yet.
Koenig got the bug back in 2018 when he bought an RV and toured the country. He said on his website: “I played golf with 793 people on 405 golf courses across 48 states and raised over $20k for The First Tee.
“I played a lot of golf and saw a lot of places, but the journey taught me about America and it taught me a lot about myself.”
Golf world record: ‘We have accomplished what no other golfer has done before’
For The RGV Tour 2.0, Koenig set a target of playing 500 courses across a 365-day period in 2023 and has been busily ticking off layouts all over America – from PGA West, to Thunderbird Country Club, from the Dye Valley course TPC Sawgrass to Tobacco Road.
At the time of writing, he was already back on the course, at Black Bear Country Club, and still on the list to complete are courses in Utah, Navada and California as he looks to mark a quincentenary.
On breaking the record, he told his 105,000 Instagram followers: “Today The RGV Tour set a new world record and a water balloon fight broke out on the 18th green.
A world record day. The world record setting putt on #18 and selfie. My sister joined via FaceTime. pic.twitter.com/ydL9UnNayJ
— Patrick Koenig (@patrickjkoenig) October 18, 2023
“This scene will be one of the defining moments of my life in golf. Thank you to everyone who supported my dream and was part of this world record.
“We have accomplished what no other golfer has done before. 450 courses in 287 days. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tomorrow… more golf.”
Koenig, who has again been raising money for The First Tee charity, has been backed by shoe company ECCO, as well as Stewart Golf and apparel firm RSVLTS.
Now have your say
What do you think of this golf world record? How many different courses have you chalked off in a calendar year? Why not let me in on the number by leaving a comment on X.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
