Richard Lewis To Smash Guinness Book Of World Records

Richard Lewis, a 64- year old golf member at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas which hosts the annual PGA TOUR's HP Byron Nelson Championship, is the world's most avid golfer. Committing this year to break the Guinness Book of World Records for playing and walking the most rounds of golf in a single calendar year, he is set to smash the record beginning at 10 am in his 600th round on Sunday, December 26 on the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas. Lewis has played every round on either this course or Four Seasons private members course, Cottonwood Valley. The current world record is 586 which Lewis broke when he played round 587 on Sunday, December 19.

His plans for the 600th round are to be surrounded by a few loyal friends and family members who have also endured and supported this monumental feat of personal athleticism and determination. Several supporters have paid more than $5000 to play with him in this record 600th round on the 6.15 mile TPC Four Seasons layout so that monies raised may be donated in Lewis' honor to support The First Tee of Dallas. This is a national not-for-profit organization founded with the purpose of teaching youth the importance of personal character and social responsibility through the game of golf.

An introvert by nature, Lewis has none the less shared a few interesting facts about his feat to friends including Avid Golfer Dallas Magazine who reported on Lewis's attempt in its November 2010 issue. Lewis
* Estimates he has walked around 3900 miles total
* Estimates this is more than 7 million steps
* Has played as many as 54 holes in a day
* Begins his daily round at 7:30 am, begins 2nd round at 10:30 am
* Has lost about 40 pounds off his original weight (now weighs 141 lbs)
* Missed only about 19 days so far due to sleet or below freezing temps
* Makes himself eat at least 1 pizza a day & lots of protein drinks a week just to keep weight on
* Played in a driving cold rain with Four Seasons' 5 PGA Class A Pros on Nov. 3 just to keep on track.
* Has used the same Sun Mountain golf club carry bag for more than 1,000 rounds.
* After trying 8 different pairs of shoes, landed on the Adidas 360 4.0 Pro golf shoe
* Believes the support of his local golf club helped make the feat possible citing encouragement by the staff, the members, two golf courses to work with & great weather for most of the year.

Four Seasons Club Manager Rob Cowan says, "The detail to his quest is just amazing. Just eating healthy, staying healthy and getting ready for another round. In fact, I would say nobody in the 27-year history of the Four Seasons has gotten more out of his membership than Richard."

Paul Earnest, Four Seasons Director of Golf, says what amazes him about Lewis is his passion for the game. "He's always trying to improve his game," he said. "He'll hit every shot and then go to the range and practice on something." Lewis is currently a 3 handicap.
Lewis says, "When I was 10 years old I wanted to be a PGA TOUR pro, but it never worked out for me. Now I have another quest, another goal, which I fully intend to complete in December."

After playing the 600th round on December 26, Lewis plans to continue his feat until he plays his final round, likely his 611th, of the year on Friday, December 31. Members of the Sports Club, its Men's Golf Association and friends are invited to play in this final ceremonial and historical round for a donation of $75 (member) or $125 (guest). Each player will receive a commemorative scorecard signed by Lewis recording his and their scores for the round. (Tee times for that day are being coordinated through the Pro Shop at 972-717-2530.) Proceeds from this day's event will benefit the Junior Golf Foundation of the Northern Texas PGA.