STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 17, 2002 - Christopher Cain, the PGA Head Golf Professional at the Penn State Golf Courses, is ahead of schedule today in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most golf holes played in 12 hours.

Cain's goal is to play 500 holes in the 12-hour period of the Robert Bryan Robo Pro Golf Marathon. Cain began play at 7:00 a.m. on the Penn State White Course and as of 12:42 p.m., had played 250 holes, putting him 35 minutes ahead of the schedule needed to break the record. The current world record is 476 holes, held by Brennan Robertson of Sarasota, Fla.

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.

The public can donate through various predetermined pledge levels or per holes played.

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 has been running and biking in excess of 50 miles a week, as well daily strength training and participating in yoga.

Temperatures are expected to hit the mid 80's today in the Centre Region.

In order to get an idea of the effort it will take to break the record, Cain made three 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 was ahead of his goal pace of 10 holes every 15 minutes for all 12 hours. During his most recent trial run on April 3, Cain played 100 holes in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 10 minutes ahead of the pace needed to break the mark.

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.

"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 stated.

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.