Feel like you're not spending enough time on the golf course? Patrick Koenig would probably share your sentiment. In fact, Patrick could say the same about just about anyone, including PGA Tour Pros. He's currently on a mission to become the Guinness World Record holder for playing the most 18-hole courses in one year. The current record stands at a staggering 449, but Patrick, currently cruising across the United States from one golf course to another in an RV, is confident that he can set a new record well over 500 by the time his epic golf trip concludes on January 3rd, 2024, at Chambers Bay near Seattle.

"Five years ago, I embarked on an RV trip to play golf in all 48 states of the continental US", the 43-year-old shared, halfway through his record attempt in 2023. "So, aiming to secure the record for the most different courses played in a year seemed like the logical next step for me." Ever since Patrick started playing golf at the age of 11, he developed an insatiable appetite for the game: "I often played 72 holes a day—I just couldn't get enough." By doing odd jobs such as mowing lawns and various tasks around the neighborhood, he managed to earn the $90 needed to pay the annual fee at his local 9-hole course. "Nowadays, many of the courses I play during this RV trip charge more than 90 bucks for a single round," he laughs. However, sponsorships and invitations from followers who want to see their courses included in Koenig's quest for over 500 rounds in a year serve as the backbone of his endeavor. "Networking plays a significant role in my journey," he explains. "Golfers are generally very generous people, and the number of invitations I receive on a weekly basis is simply amazing."


Being a professional golf course photographer also helps him gain access to a multitude of courses along the way. But ultimately, Patrick's golf journey is not solely about numbers or a record; it's a celebration of golf itself and the diverse characters he encounters along this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Regardless of how many golf buddies you have or how many rounds you've played, there's always room and time for one more.