challenge the world record for completion of the fastest 18 holes.

About 35 Island players are set to tee off on January 25 in an attempt to complete two rounds of Ocean View Golf Course in under nine minutes and 39 seconds -- the mark currently recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.

"Logistically and mathematically it can be done,'' said Wayne Dill, who put together the challenge after reading about an attempt to break the mark in Florida several months ago.

But it won't be easy.

Pondering clubs and lies and enjoying pastoral beauty of the 3,000-yard North Shore course will be forgotten in the name of haste. Haste as inbetween five and ten seconds per shot, Dill figures.

Golfers will be placed at strategic points around the course awaiting their turn. As soon as the ball lands and comes to a complete stop, another will rush up and continue the cycle until 18 holes are completed.

Course managers will follow play in carts armed with walkie-talkies to alert the next golfers and keep the relay going.

"We can't afford to have anyone have a bad hole,'' said Dill. Which is why all the golfers being recruited must have a 15-handicap or better.

"They have to be very steady and very accurate,'' said Dill.

The record was set on November 16, 1992 at the John E. Clark course in Point Micu, California, by a group led by Bill Garcia, whose 35 team members shot a cumulative 71. The Clark course is also nine holes but considerably flatter than the undulating and unforgiving Ocean View track, Dill said.

Of an even larger concern than hills is the fact golfers will have to endure four par fives and eight par fours, lessening the margin for error.

Shots will have to make the green on the par five holes in three shots; tee shots will take on increased importance on the six par threes.

At least they won't have to worry about cautions for slow play.

Dill has set aside the morning of January 20 for a practice round, to help determine specific golfers' strengths and arrange their placement.

Dill hinted theirs could be an annual challenge, given the Island's love of golf.

But Dill, who organised the attempt as a precursor to the First Annual PRIDE Charity Golf Tournament the same day, won't be taking part.

"I don't golf very well,'' he said.

Bermuda Golf Association medal play resumes this Saturday with a tournament at Belmont. Entries should be called into secretary Tom Smith at 238-1367 before 6.00 p.m. today.