Former MLB Outfielder Eric Byrnes Attempts to Break World Record for Number of Golf Holes Played in 24 Hours

HALF MOON BAY, Calif., April 5, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​On April 22, 2019, former Major League Baseball player turned ultra-endurance athlete Eric Byrnes will attempt to break a 47-year-old record set by Ian Colston, who, at 35, played 401 holes (22 rounds and five holes) at Bendigo GC in Victoria, Australia, on Nov. 27-28, 1971.

In April of 2018, Byrnes played a mind-blowing 245 holes of golf without a cart, breaking the 12 Hour Speed Golf World Record set in 2016 when New Zealander Brad Luiten played 237 holes. Byrnes played 13.5 rounds and ran a total of 65.5 miles in the allotted 12-hour time period at the Napa Valley Golf Club at Kennedy Park.

Last year, Byrnes and his wife Tarah started the ​Let Them Play Foundation (501c3) in an effort to get kids back outside and playing. As a kickoff event for the foundation, Byrnes completed the first-ever transcontinental Triathlon Across America. He swam seven miles across the San Francisco Bay, biked over 2,400 miles from Oakland to Chicago and then ran 905 miles from Chicago to New York City.

Along the way, the Let Them Play Foundation raised funds and handed out over 30 grants to different youth activity organizations across the country who showed a commitment to “let kids play.”

The Let Them Play Foundation will use the 24 Hour World Record attempt as a way to bring awareness to increasing lack of youth activity and to raise funds for grants which will continue to be delivered to a variety of different youth activity organizations across the nation.

The Let Them Play Foundation’s 24 Hour World Record Speed Golf Challenge is presented by ​Highfive,​ a leading video conferencing company headquartered in Silicon Valley that's reimagined meeting rooms for businesses worldwide with their award-winning solutions. As a fervent supporter of Eric and the Let Them Play Foundation, Highfive CEO Joe Manuele believes in playing hard and working easier.

“Highfive is excited to support Eric on his mission to break the world record and raise awareness for youth activity,” said Manuele. “Like Eric, Highfive is on a mission to make video conferencing the primary form of communication. With just a single click from any meeting room or device, teams can get their best work done with Highfive.”

This event is open to the public at all hours and will feature a long drive contest, youth team relays for grants, a DJ, food, drinks and more.

Where: ​Half Moon Bay Ocean Course located at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California

When:​ 5 a.m. April 22 to 5 a.m. April 23, 2019

Visit ​LetThemPlayFoundation.org/Golf to learn more about the Let Them Play Foundation and to support the 24 Hour World Record Speed Golf Challenge.

Eric Byrnes resides in Half Moon Bay, California, with his wife Tarah and their three kids: Chloe, Cali and Colton.

A current MLB Network analyst, Byrnes is available for interviews leading up to the April 22 event. For media inquiries and interview requests, please e-mail Matt Morse: [email protected].

Source: Eric Byrnes