Mick McLoughlin is training hard to break the world record for non-stop golfing in a week

Businessman Mick McLoughlin is on the hunt for a golf course where he can play 18 hours a day as he aims to set a new world record and raise $250,000.

It’s a mad challenge for a good cause.

Brisbane bizoid Mick McLoughlin is in the midst of a gruelling training regime to break the current world record for non-stop golfing in a week.

Yes, really. He’s aiming to play 2001 holes over seven days this November in the hopes of raising about $250,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities in southeast Queensland.

McLoughlin, who has been a board member of the non-profit for seven years, launched “the official countdown’’ to the undertaking on Tuesday while whacking a bunch of balls at the city’s Golf Central driving range.

Mick McLoughlin

Joining him to help promote the campaign were a few of his good sporting mates, including former footy greats Daniel Merrett and Sam Thaiday, as well as netball star Beryl Friday.

He faces a daunting hurdle to win a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

To succeed, McLoughlin must play 286 holes, or 16 rounds, every day. While he’s able to use a cart, he’ll be on the course for a mind-numbing 16 to 18 hours each day.

As a result, McLoughlin began training in December and has been spending so much time getting in shape that he’s working a lot less at his Bencee Fitout and Construction business in Moorooka.

The 58-year-old native of Ireland told City Beat that he’s already lost 10 kilos since he started going to the gym to build up his shoulder and core strength. A personal trainer and nutritionist are also helping him get fighting fit.

In case this wasn’t enough, he’s committed three to four hours every day, including weekends, at Golf Central to perfect his technique. He’s now up to 1000 balls per session on the driving range.

McLoughlin got the inspiration for the fundraiser late last year when the pandemic effectively torpedoed all the usual money-spinning options, such as the annual ball.

He was in Tenterfield and had an “aha moment’’ after spotting memorabilia related to the world record.

Illustration of Mick McLoughlin by Brett Lethbridge

Eventually, he got in contact with the current titleholder, a US golfer named Geno Bonnalie, who lives in Idaho and managed to knock out 2000 holes in seven days back in 2011. In a neat bit of symmetry, that effort also raised money for charity.

Bonnalie apparently welcomed the attempt to have his record smashed to help Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for families of sick children undergoing treatment in hospitals.

But did he warn McLoughlin about the formidable physical and mental demands that lie ahead?

According to a US media story, Bonnalie was just 27 at the time and “finished his week-long fundraising ordeal with the skin on his hands blistered and peeling, his right knee sore and uncooperative, and his younger sister tearfully begging him to give up his quest”. Yikes!

To reach his fundraising target, McLoughlin is encouraging supporters to donate as much as possible and even start bidding to join him on the course by driving the cart or by sponsoring a ball.

Still unclear, however, is which 18-hole golf course will host the marathon effort.

It’s certain to be a bit intrusive since McLoughlin will obviously need to play through anyone else already on the links.