I don’t think I’d ever have the patience to get into golf.
But Speed Golf — a.k.a. Fitness Golf a.k.a. Extreme Golf a.k.a. Hit and Run Golf — sounds like my kind of sport.
"It is easily the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course!" said Mark Newman, winner of last year’s inaugural 9-Hole Speed Golf Running Championships. The event is organized by Racers Against Childhood Cancer and last year raised more than $2,000 to fight cancer.
"Interestingly, I’m a much better runner than golfer, but I played golf much better while running that I ever do when playing normal!"Newman 
noted. "I wish I could run all the time!"
Mark was crowned the champion after covering the approximately 2.5-mile course in 26 minutes 2 seconds while shooting a 49-stroke 9-hole round. That’s all the more impressive considering that all participants must run with all their clubs — usually including a fairway wood, a medium iron, a wedge or 9-iron and a putter.
"For me, the biggest challenge is determining which clubs to use," Newman said. "I only used my 5-iron and putter. I couldn’t hit the ball all that far, but I also could not get myself into as big of trouble shanking the ball all over the place!"
According to Wikipedia: "A player’s score is calculated by adding minutes plus strokes. The lowest score in competition is believed to have been shot by professional Christopher Smith at the Chicago Speedgolf Classic on October 16, 2005. Smith shot 65 in just 44:06 for a speed golf score of 109:06."
Newman thinks the advantage goes to the runner.
"I would think that if you don’t run on a regular basis, the running needed could negatively effect your golf game," he said.
This year’s event is set for Sunday, May 3, in Oconomowoc at the Paganica Golf Course. Registration is a $50 donation per player, which includes 9 holes, a shirt, lunch and awards.
To register call (262) 719-4174 or (262) 751-5636 or email information@raccfund.org.
