WINTER PARK, Fla. - For the second year in a row, Drake Dunaway and Allen Shoup paired up to complete the Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike at the Winter Park 9.
It takes dedication, fitness, skill and resolve to play and walk 100 holes in a single day. You need to get up early and stay late. The reward is 10+ hours on the golf course and away from the office, while also getting the satisfaction of raising money for a good cause. GolfPass teams up with its NBC Sports Next family to run this special event, which is a rewarding experience for all involved.
For more information on how to participate or host a hike in the future or to donate, visit the Hundred Hole Hike site here.
Allen and Drake share tidbits about their fun experiences below:
Drake Dunaway shares the highlights from his 100 hole hike
What were you most excited about in the final few days leading up to the hike?
Winter Park 9 is a gem of a course, and I was eager to go around it eleven times in one day. It’s a fairly long course for a 100 Hole Hike and I was looking forward to the challenge.
It was only going to be my second hike, and I was excited to improve upon the mistakes I made the first time around. I was determined to avoid the blister disaster from the past by preparing with extra socks and bandages.
What went into the golf bag for the hike, and why?
I thought about this frequently on the weeks leading up to the hike. Ultimately, I decided to start the day with my full bag using a pull cart. After two trips around WP9, Allen and I decided to go with a one-club approach. It was the best decision we made all day! Over the next handful on rounds I used an 8-iron, 7-iron and 5-iron. It both made for an easier walk and more entertaining golf. The creativity it forced made for some great shots and some good laughs (using a 5-iron from the greenside bunkers is not advised!)
What was the most surprising part of hike day?
The weather was more challenging than I anticipated. The middle of the day was quite hot and stagnant and then towards the late afternoon the winds started to pickup drastically, blowing around 20 MPH from time to time. The short par-4 5th hole became a three-shot hole playing directly into the teeth of the wind.
What should hikers keep in mind throughout the hike to get to the finish line?
I am good about drinking plenty of fluids, but making sure I eat enough is a real challenge for me. Walking close to 27 miles while swinging a golf club takes a lot out of you and it’s important to eat frequently. As Allen puts it, if you get hungry it’s too late! I forced myself to eat at least one thing every nine holes, even just a small granola bar.
The other important thing I did this hike, that I didn’t do my first time, was change my socks every 2 to 3 rounds to avoid blisters. It made a huge difference and I managed to cross the finish line blister free.
What hole of WP9 was the most fun to play (11 times)?
The 6th hole is one of my 10 favorite holes I’ve ever played, so it must be my answer! At 210 yards from the forward tees, it made for some awkward tee shots during our one-club challenge. It was downwind all day and I liked trying to rip an 8 iron or 7 iron over the trees to get close to the green. I had a mixture of success and horrible failure.
What brings you back time and again to 100 Hole Hikes?
First and foremost, it’s a wonderful cause. I love the sport of golf and want as many kids as possible to get introduced to it. I also thoroughly enjoy the physical challenge of walking 100 holes in a day and the comradery that comes with being at the course for 11 hours plus. I won’t lie it’s a legit challenge for me to finish the 100 holes and I’m proud to be 2 for 2 in my attempts.
Allen Shoup shares the highlights from his 100 hole hike
What were you most excited about in the final few days leading up to the hike?
Winter Park 9 is a delight to play, with its unique green complexes making each round feel fresh. However, what really excited me was the turnout from my colleagues at NBC Sports Next. We had a strong team supporting Youth on Course, blending golfers of all skill levels. The energy on the course was infectious and added a rewarding layer to the day.
What went into the golf bag for the hike, and why?
Packing my golf bag was simple, given that WP9 has only two long par-5 holes and is best played on the ground. I chose a 4 iron, 8 iron, pitching wedge and a 58-degree wedge, along with my putter. I also made sure to include a ball-mark repair tool—the most important gear in the bag! The 4 iron helped on the longer holes, while the 58 degree was key for the tricky bunkers. Yet, the way I used my clubs turned out to be quite different from what I anticipated.
What was the most surprising part of hike day?
Limiting ourselves to one club lightened our load and made the golf experience more engaging. My hike partner, Drake, and I decided to challenge ourselves to using a single club for most of our loops around WP9. We quickly realized that shot-making with just one club added a layer of excitement. WP9 favors low, running shots that take advantage of its undulating terrain. We opted for the 8-iron, finding that it offered the best combination of fun and strategy. While getting out of sand traps was a challenge, sinking long putts and carding birdies with three well-placed shots was exhilarating. It was refreshing to focus on what the course required, rather than worrying about precise yardages and flying it all the way to the pin.
What should hikers keep in mind throughout the hike to get to the finish line?
Paying attention to nutrition and listening to your body is crucial. Scoring isn’t the priority; staying hydrated and energized is. If you wait until you feel thirsty or hungry, you’re already behind. A steady intake of water and a mix of snacks is a smart strategy. Additionally, being efficient with your golf swing—using low, controlled shots—helps conserve energy. It’s important to avoid overexerting yourself, especially as fatigue sets in.
What hole of WP9 was the most fun to play (11 times)?
I think the par 4 6th will always be the star of the show for me. Drake and I carded a lot of birdies there throughout the day even with just our 8 irons. The hole demands a slight cut into the green unless you have Drake’s power and ball flight, and can carry a high draw over the collection of trees right of the fairway. The green is accessible with a low, running shot into a generous bowl where the pin sat all day, which played perfectly to a bump and run. Once the ball was on the ground, we got to sit back and enjoy the show. After a few loops it was easy to put the ball just under the hole on the approach and then ask a lot of reverse-handed putting with the backside of my iron to card the birdie.
The 6th can be attacked in so many unique ways tee to green. It makes for an incredible match play hole, which a few of our co-workers were taking advantage of in the group behind us.
What brings you back time and again to 100 Hole Hikes?
Three main factors keep me coming back to the 100 Hole Hike experience:
- Each $5 raised can significantly impact a young golfer’s opportunity—it's a meaningful cause.
- The challenge of walking 100 holes is both physically and mentally rewarding, and worth celebrating.
- While playing the same holes might seem dull, bringing creativity to the hike makes it a fresh experience. It’s rewarding to think that the young golfers benefiting from our efforts will share in this joy.
