SHARJAH - The long hours of practice and orgaisning for the venture finally proved successful when teachers Andrew Morley and Stephen Jenks of Wellington International School Dubai entered the Guinness World Records at the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club during the weekend.
A media reelase from the sponsors and organisers added: At precisely 9pm on Sunday evening Morley and Jenks completed their 162nd hole to set a new Guinness World Record for the most golf holes competed, on foot, in a 24-hour period. The event was also supported by Sharjah Charity International and was used to raise funds for an eye hospice in Bangladesh.
The Britons, hobbled up Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s 9th hole to complete their attempt fittingly on the course’s final green just as the large clock struck the 24 hour mark and in front of spectators, the media and officials.
Exhausted but overwhelmed the pair, bearing blisters, cramps and swollen joints, then faced the entourage in a brief post event Press conference, the release added.
Jenks spoke of the numerous second winds he experienced in the grueling 24 hours, how the lowest point came at around 4am when the pair had been out there for numerous hours, it was dark, cold, windy and there was still such a long way to go.
He also explained how once the magic number of 150 holes had been surpassed (after 22 hours and 10 minutes) the last 12 holes they completed seemed relatively easy.
Morley then went on to add their thanks to the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club who had allowed the pair exclusive use of the course for almost the entire 24 hours and contributed hugely towards the success and operation of the event. Also Sharjah Charity International for their efforts in raising funds and the profile of the event.
Morley also went on to thank corporate supporters Harradine Golf and Orient Irrigation, Hydroturf, The European Tour, Al Nawras Hospitality and Expand-a-sign for their contributions.
Morley also pledged an emotional thank you to everyone at Wellington School as well as Chris Vallender of the EGF who donated generously in terms of time, money and moral and official support. Charitable contributions as of Sunday evening were at approximately Dh42,000 with donations still being accepted until the end of the week.
Parties interested can still donate by visiting Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, sending an sms to 6605 (Dh20 donated per sms) or by depositing money into the following dedicated accounts set up by Sharjah Charity International: Sharjah Islamic Bank: AE980410000030466666009, Dubai Islamic Bank: AE510240001520583523201.