Michael Furrh of Arlington practices with his 30-foot, 6-inch driver, which he used to set a Guinness Book of World Records record for longest golf club used to hit a ball at least 25 yards in the air. He broke the record on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at Waterchase Golf Club in Fort Worth.
In what has become an annual ritual, Michael Furrh made his bid for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records last Friday. Furrh, 49, hit a drive 34 yards in the air, good enough to break his own record.
It wasn’t the distance of the drive at Waterchase Golf Club in Fort Worth that was remarkable. It was the length of his driver: 30 feet, 6 inches. The driver he used last year was a measly 28 feet, 1 inch.
The Arlington teaching pro who works at Waterchase as a starter and marshal, raises money for charity throughout the year with his trick shot show. At the end of the year, he attempts a world record.
“It’s kind of my final hurrah,” said Furrh, whose latest record is his fourth. Also, he’s raising the bar for any other long-driver driver who might try to surpass him.
He’s already making plans for next year’s record attempt when he’ll use a 45-foot driver that will require two people to swing.
Keeton Park head pro recognized by NTPGA
Tony Martinez, the head pro at Keeton Park Golf Course, was recognized as the golf professional of the year by the Northern Texas PGA. Martinez, the NTPGA secion president, and the other winners will be honored at an awards dinner on Feb. 18, 2018.
The section award winners:
PGA MEMBER AWARDS
Golf Professional of the Year — Tony Martinez, Keeton Park Golf Course, Dallas
Distinguished Service Award — Joe Black, PGA Life Member
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year — Ryan Osgood, Odessa Country Club, Odessa
Teacher of the Year — Jon Sinclair, Sinclair’s Golf Training Center, Euless
Randy Smith Youth Player Development Award — Jon Antunes, Hot Golf Academy, Waco
Player Development Award (Growth of the Game) — Robert McMillan, McMillan Golf Academy, Colleyville
Horton Smith Award (Education / Building the Image of a PGA Professional) — Aaron Bonvillion, Golf Academy of America, Dallas
Bill Strausbaugh Award (Club Relations, Employment and Mentoring) — Cameron Doan, Preston Trail Golf Club, Dallas
Merchandiser of the Year Private Category — Simon Buckle, Brook Hollow Golf Club, Dallas
Merchandiser of the Year Public Category — Brent Lingel, Keeton Park Golf Course, Dallas
Merchandiser of the Year Resort Category — Kevin Golding, Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Irving
Yamaha Golf-Car Company / Lajitas Golf Resort Player of the Year — Brian Norman, Gleneagles Country Club, Plano
Ben Hogan / NTPGA Stroke Play Average Award — Ben Kern, Diamondback Golf Club, Abilene
OMEGA Senior Points Challenge Winners — Stuart Hendley, Grapevine Golf Course, Grapevine & Bruce Smith, Black Belt Golf Academy, Frisco
NON-PGA MEMBER AWARDS
Bob Galt Award (Media) — Art Stricklin, author and magazine contributor
Byron Nelson Award (Amateur) — Gary Sleeper, Lajitas Golf Resort
Leon Faucett Award (Sales Representative) — Jenny Champion, Cutter & Buck
Golf Course Superintendent Award — Mike Sprayberry, The Golf Club of Dallas, Dallas
