Guiness Adds New World Record for Disc Golf
Guiness Adds New World Record for Disc Golf
Larry Kirk's Sets Record for Most Courses Played in a Single Year
When you become passionate about a sport, hobby, job, or travel adventure, nothing will stop you from accomplishing your goal! That was the case for me in 2013. My name is Larry Kirk #45472 and for the third time, I traveled the 50 states playing disc golf at every disc golf course possible across the country. This is my unique way of promoting one of my passions to the public and bringing awareness of disc golf to the regular Joe on the streets, or whomever I meet anywhere along the way.
Who would think that wanting to promote this sport would give me the desire to travel and play 50 states in 50 days? As crazy as it sounds, it also gave me the opportunity to attempt to set a world record, playing “The Most Disc Golf Courses in One Year.” All in all, 54 courses were approved for the record. That might not sound like much, but when attempting to accomplish such a task in just seven weeks, it becomes a lot more challenging.
Terry "The Disc Golf Guy" Miller interviews Larry during his record-setting travels in 2013.
The reality is, many more than 54 courses were played but it was difficult to collect the documentation required by Guinness (e.g. witness statements from at least two players per course, signed scorecards, pictures of me playing the courses, videos of witnesses testifying they had seen me play the course, etc.) to be considered as part of the record.
Altogether, I played 87 courses plus six more as I traveled back home. My travel route first began by flying from California to Alaska. I then continued flying from Alaska to Hawaii then back to California to meet my co-pilot Silvia Rodriguez in Sacramento where we would continue the road trip by car throughout the rest of the 48 continental states.
This amazing journey paid off, as I eventually received the long anticipated 2013 Guinness World Record for “The Most Disc Golf Courses in One Year.” The record is so new that it has yet to be added to the official Guinness World Records website. Priceless are the new friends that I met along the way, as well as the love and support I received from my family, friends, and sponsors. It was such a blessing to see the generosity of people as a lonely disc golf traveler!
For those that already play the sport, my hope is to inspire them to travel and promote their favorite disc golf course(s). You don’t have to be a professional or top rated player to share your love of the game or to help promote the sport everywhere you go.
50 States in 50 Days Itinerary
| Week # | Dates (2013) | States |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 12-18 | AK, HI |
| 2 | Aug 19-25 | CA, OR, WA, ID, UT, NV, AZ |
| 3 | Aug 26-Sep 1 | NM, CO, WY, MT, ND, MN, SD, IA |
| 4 | Sep 2-8 | NE, MO, KS, AR, OK, TX, LA, MS |
| 5 | Sep 9-15 | AL, FL, GA, TN, KY, IN,, IL, WI |
| 6 | Sep 16-22 | MI, OH, NY, MA, VT, NH, ME |
| 7 | Sep 23-30 | RI, CT, NJ, PA, DE, MD, WV, VI, NC, SC |
Comments
Larry you need to get better
Larry you need to get better documentation if you want to hold that record, 54 is way too easy to break, even the 93 indicated is low. I have played more than 40 courses a year at least 6 times (52 in 2009). I am guessing Dan Kilgore & Brian Schweberger among others have probably played somewhere north of 100 courses in a single year. Ben Calhoun must have played several hundred in the year that he broke 1000. However, congratulations on getting a record category recognized.
Although Guinness did not
Although Guinness did not recognize his effort playing disc golf "50 States in 50 Days," the challenge remains, can you play 54 courses in each state in 7 weeks?