36 Hours of Golf for a World Record
Kelechi Ezihie, a 27-year-old Nigerian American golfer, swung his way through 36 hours of continuous golf. His goal? To set a new Guinness World Record for the longest golf marathon ever played.
Starting at 6 p.m. on a Sunday at the Huntington Crescent Club in New York, he originally planned for 24 hours. But midway, news reached him—another player had just done 32 hours. Ezihie didn’t flinch. He kept going, pushing his body and mind, finishing at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Pushing Limits with a Purpose
Friends stood by him the entire time, cheering him on through changing weather. Despite only getting five-minute breaks every hour, he kept up his energy.
“I feel great. This is for a good cause, so I feel great,” Ezihie said during the event. He wasn’t just chasing a record. He wanted to show what’s possible—especially for those who feel excluded from golf.
Review Underway by Guinness World Records
The attempt is now under official review. Guinness officials must check every detail, from how long each round took to when he rested.
“We have to make sure he’s finishing the rounds in the right amount of time,” said Shartia Ducksworth from Golf Insights, one of the event organizers.
From Lagos to New York: Ezihie’s Early Years
Ezihie was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the third of eight children. When he was just one, his parents moved to the U.S., leaving him with relatives. It took years and many visa rejections before he could join them.
On his 11th birthday, December 6, 2008, Ezihie stepped onto U.S. soil for the first time. That moment changed his life.
Discovering Golf and Fighting Stereotypes
At first, life in America was tough. Ezihie had to learn English and adjust to a new culture. His faith grew at a Christian school, but high school brought racism and self-doubt.
Golf came into his life unexpectedly. While working at a country club, he discovered the game. Staff were allowed to play on off days, and Ezihie took full advantage. He practiced for hours, quickly falling in love with the sport.
Building a Community with Golf Insights
After some time in Indiana, where he found golf buddies who played daily, he returned to New York. There, he noticed something: very few Black people played golf at events.
That led him to start Golf Insights—a grassroots group teaching and promoting golf to beginners. It also offers corporate training and a safe space to learn.
Breaking Barriers with Every Swing
Ezihie has faced harsh comments and stereotypes. But he remains focused on his bigger goal—making golf truly open to all.
“People assume that golf is for the wealthy, and I’m trying to change that,” he said. “Whatever your economic background or if you have special needs, you can play golf.”
Looking Ahead: A Golf Future in Nigeria
Ezihie isn’t stopping with just a record attempt. He’s already bought land in Nigeria to start a golf center. His dream? To train future PGA-level players from Africa.
He’s proving one swing at a time that golf isn’t just for a few—it’s for everyone.
