STATE COLLEGE, Pa., March 18, 2002 - Christopher Cain, the PGA Head Golf Professional at the Penn State Golf Courses, will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most golf holes played in 12 hours on Wednesday, April 17.

Cain's goal is to play 500 holes in the 12-hour period, which would break the record of 467 held by Eric Freeman. He will attempt to break the mark starting at 7:00 a.m. on the Penn State White Course.

More important than the Guinness record attempt is Cain's desire to raise contributions for the Second Mile Foundation and the Professional Golf Management Student Society (PGMSS). The Second Mile, founded by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, annually benefits nearly 100,000 at-risk youth. The PGMSS, which Cain serves in as a mentor, helps shape future golf professionals. The goal is to raise $50,000 for the charities.

"It is an opportunity to give back to groups I believe in," Cain said. "I will be able to support two outstanding charities and groups that give so much back to communities. Attempting the record is just a means to an end."

The public can donate through various predetermined pledge levels or per holes played. Each type of pledge comes with levels of incentives and perks, possibly including a spot in the Robo-Pro Golf Tournament and dinner on April 17th.

Cain, a 1998 Penn State graduate from Watchung, N.J., has been training specifically for the event for nearly a year. He visited the PGA National Golf Club in January, where he took a fitness assessment test in order to develop a training program for the 90 miles of yardage he will have to cover. He runs and bikes in excess of 50 miles a week, strength trains daily and participates in yoga.

In order to get an idea of the effort it will take to break the record, Cain has made two trial runs. In November, he played 100 holes in 2 hours 45 minutes and in December he played 200 holes in 4 hours 50 minutes, which is ahead of his goal pace of 10 holes every 15 minutes for all 12 hours. He will do a trial run of 300 holes sometime this month.

Cain is an accomplished golfer, tying the Penn State White Course record of 63 in May 2001.

Penn State is not new to the Guinness world record, as the mark once belonged to a Happy Valley resident. Doug Wert, general manager/director of Penn State's golf courses, held the record when played 440 holes in 12 hours in June 1993. That record stood until 2000.

Cain said, "While the main reason is to raise money for two great charities, I would like to bring the record back to Penn State, where it belongs."

Cain indicated that spotters and volunteers are needed for his attempt to break the record. For more information regarding the event or to make pledge donations contact Cain at cpc108@psu.edu or 814-863-0254. More information is available at www.psu.edu/golfcourses.