World Record Show

World-record holder Glenn Turner will continue his astounding fundraising efforts at the opening day of the London Golf Show.

Turner, 46, a golf professional from Leyland, in Lancashire, is touring the country in a motorhome in a bid to play as many 18-hole golf courses as possible – and to raise money for the Rhys Daniels Trust, which provides support for families who have children with life-threatening illnesses, and the 43 children’s hospices which make up the Children’s Hospice Association..

Turner finishes his odyssey at the end of March at the luxury, Nigel Mansell-owned Woodbury Park, near Exeter – and by that time he believes he will have completed rounds on more than 380 golf courses.

In a brief moment of respite, Turner said: “If I have some luck with the weather – which hasn’t been too kind to me recently – we should play between 380 and 400 courses. That will be the equivalent of walking 104 marathons; and I’ve walked each course carrying my own bag.”

During his anabasis Turner has played against many celebrities including Eastenders’ Adam Woodyatt, comedian Stan Boardman, Liverpool football legend Kenny Dalglish and actor Craig Fairbrass.

The year-long trek will have set back Turner something in the region of £80,000 to complete – but that is a cost dwarfed by the figure he hopes to raise for the trust.

“People can show their support simply by texting the word ‘golf’ to 64446. That way they donate a pound to the cause. If all the members at all the clubs I’ve played did that, with support from other golfers as well, we could raise in excess of £1 million,” added Turner.

By the end of January, Turner had completed 316 courses which is already a world record. However, he hopes to take that even further by the time he returns to his Lancashire home at the end of March.

And he’s already a formulating a plan should anybody dare to usurp his position as world-record holder.

“If anybody beats my current record I believe I could play 500 courses in a year with the right sponsorship and support. This time round I’ve had none and have had to do everything off my own back.”

Colin Brunton, the chairman of The Golf Show Co Ltd – owner of the London Golf Show – will be on hand to welcome Turner to the show on April 26, where the world-record holder will be the guest in a Q&A session for visitors and members of the press.

Brunton said: “Glenn’s achievement should not be underestimated. It’s a phenomenal effort and a hugely generous gesture. We will certainly be encouraging all visitors to the London Golf Show to support him by sending a text. And we look forward to celebrating his achievement with him on our opening day.”

■ To keep up to date with Glenn Turner’s odyssey visit www.worldrecordgolftour.co.uk, or to donate £1 text the word GOLF to 64446.