Law and Thornborough shatter world record playing 333 holes in twelve hours

The Glenboro Golf & Country Club now holds the distinction of being the venue where Dylan Thornborough and Patrick Law set a new world record by playing an astounding 333 holes in 12 hours. The unofficial world record to beat was 306 holes played by a pair using a golf cart in 12 hours and the pair crushed it. This feat was part of their 13th Annual Marathon Monday, an event aimed at raising funds for cancer research. The duo completed the record-breaking 307th hole in just 10 hours and 38 minutes, surrounded by cheering family, friends, and supporters on the #1 green.

As it became evident that the two were going to set a new record spectators were curious whether they would continue and finish the allotted 12 hours of play. Greg Law, Patrick’s ather beamed nodding his head affirmatively saying, “They will definitely go until 6, they may slow their pace down but I know they won’t stop once they break the record.” And he was right, once that 307th hole was completed the two did take a breather for a few hugs, handshakes and photos.

After a brief pause, they jumped back into their carts to continue playing. This time, each drove their own cart, bringing their wives, Paige Thornborough and Nicole Law, to serve as caddies. Dylan’s daughters, Mara and Goldie, and Patrick’s sons, Noah and Luca, formed the cheering section.

The two golfers teed off on the first hole as the sun was rising at 6 a.m.; they knew they would have to complete a round in approximately 20 minutes so the first nine would serve as a benchmark setting the pace to achieve their goal. It was shortly after noon, when Dylan’s dad, Trent Thornborough who took the first 6 hour shift as caddie driver reported that they were over an hour ahead of schedule. “It was crazy driving them, I had two clubs in my hand to keep things moving; I didn’t even have time to take a photo. It was go go go every second,” he laughed.

As for body conditioning, both surmised that they could have done more, each chuckling that their aching joints were confirming that quite loudly the next day. “Today (Friday, 4 days later) is the first day that I feel “normal” commented Law who is the general manager and head pro at Minnedosa Golf and Club.

In previous years, the two golfers kept score cards and looked for balls, not this year.

Grinning, Dylan advised his brother, Mitchel, “If you need some balls you should go to #2 and #8, I’m pretty sure you will find quite a few there.” Despite losing a few balls and not keeping score they do know that the fastest hole was less then 10 seconds when Law scored an ace on #1 somewhere around the 34th round. “I saw the ball land and go towards hole, I didn’t know whose ball it was, Patrick called my name so I thought he meant it was my ball, but when we checked it was his so we had a pretty good chuckle over that,” laughed Thornborough.

During the past 12 Marathon Monday’s, Dylan and Patrick shared a cart, but this year they recruited four volunteer drivers, each taking a 6 hour caddie shift. Prior to the event the two men had done the logistics and knew that they would have to have drivers and they would need carts with plenty of zip. “We are so grateful to Jason Earl of Glen Lea Golf Course who lent us four of his speedy electric golf carts,” said a very fatigued Patrick following the 333rd hole.

While the day had to be surreal, the following days they have both been overwhelmed with congratulatory texts, emails, phone calls and handshakes. They have been interviewed by numerous newspapers and done done numerous live radio and television interviews. If people weren’t aware of Marathon Monday and its goal to raise money for cancer research they do now.

Twelve years ago, Thornborough and Law, both passionate golfers, decided to create an annual event to raise awareness and funds for cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. After both being personally impacted by cancer, their commitment to the cause has only grown stronger and become a movement. Each year, they set increasingly ambitious fundraising goals, driven by a desire to make a greater impact.

“Now that you have achieved this, is this going to be the final Marathon Monday? And are you going to try to surpass your record next year; were two questions they were asked repeatably that evening and most probably quite often during the next few days. Dylan answered emphatically, “We strive for this event to get bigger every year, but No, we will not try to break 333 holes, the only record we will strive to break is the amount of money we raise for cancer research.”

Presently this year’s event has raised in excess of $32,000 with funds still rolling in. There were nine other groups holding their own marathon of golf under the same umbrella. One pair of ‘local’ golfers taking part were Glen Tosh and his son Ty who teed off at the Souris & Glenwood Community Golf Club, carding 129 holes this year and surpassed last year’s fundraising efforts with a total of $4,528. Glen commented that they are hoping to continue but chuckled he is “nervous to say it will be an annual event as I never know how long this old body can play that number of holes in a day.” Once healed from a recent shoulder injury, Bryce Watson also of Glenboro will be heading to Pleasant Valley Golf & Country Club with Jordan Moore with the goal of surpassing last year’s 100 holes.

“Having the unofficial world record is exciting, but the biggest win for us is the funds and awareness we have raised for cancer,” said Patrick. Among all the questions the two men have been asked during the past few days, one that keeps popping up is “Will you try to get this in the books as an official record?” The response from both Dylan & Patrick is firm and quick, “Guinness charges in the area of $14,000 US to have an official come out and verify; neither of us are willing to sacrifice the funds raised for cancer research to cover the cost, doing so would defeat the purpose entirely.”

The 13th Annual Marathon Monday was a resounding success, growing from two men meeting once a year to raise awareness and funds, to a nationwide event. Roger Lehman, Supporter Engagement Specialist for Canada West Canadian Cancer Society, praised their efforts, saying, “They have created an unbelievable event and a sense of hope for those impacted by cancer and their families. Individuals like Dylan and Patrick make the world a better place with their time and efforts.”

With this year’s record shattered and fundraising goals surpassed, Marathon Monday continues to inspire and support the fight against cancer.

PHOTO CAPTION: Patrick Law (left) and Dylan Thornborough played 333 holes at the Glenboro Golf and Country Club on Marathon Monday to beat the previous mark of 306 holes by ‘two golfers using a golf cart in 12 hours’, and raised over $32,000 for the Candaian Cancer Society.