For most people, playing just one course on Golf Magazine’s list of the Top Golf Courses in the World is a dream. For Mike Pelliccione, it became a mission — and ultimately a powerful way to turn passion into impact.
On July 27th, Mike is teeing off in one of the most breathtaking places on earth — Lofoten Links in Gimsøysand, Norway — to complete his final course on the top 100 list. But he's not stopping there. To celebrate the milestone and give back to the game that’s given him everything, Mike is also taking on his first Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike.
Photo Courtesy of Jacob Sjoman
What makes Mike’s hike extraordinary isn’t just the jaw-dropping location. It’s how he is choosing to make it meaningful — walking over 30 miles and playing 100+ holes at Lofoten Links as part of our Plan Your Own Hike option. His purpose? To help more young people discover what’s possible through golf.
“Golf has taken me around the world, connected me with unforgettable people and places, and allowed me to start my own company,” Mike says. “Now, I want to help more kids get their own start.”
A Personal Journey Through the Top 100
It all began with a round at Merion Golf Club — and a feeling Mike couldn’t shake.
“Merion told a story like nothing I’d ever experienced. The clubhouse, the locker room, the history — I walked off that course and made a personal goal to see how many more stories I could find through golf.”
Photo Courtesy of Mike Pelliccione
That goal turned into a global pursuit, one that took him from Augusta to Australia, China to Cincinnati, and finally to Norway. Along the way, golf became more than a game — it became a lens for seeing the world, and a language that connected him with people from all walks of life.
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Photo Courtesy of Mike Pelliccione
Highlights:
- Hirono Golf Club, Japan: “If you’ve never experienced a day golfing in Japan, you’re missing out. It’s an all-day affair that every passionate golfer should do at least once.”
Photo Courtesy of Mike Pelliccione - Royal Melbourne (East and West), Australia: “We played East in the morning, had a champagne lunch, then West in the afternoon. Ended the day with beers at sunset. Unreal.”
- Camargo Golf Club, Ohio: “It was the first stop on my first golf trip with my dad. He’s 80+ now, and just seeing the smile on his face — that’s what golf is all about.”
- Shanqin Bay, China: “A 35-hour journey led to 9 new friendships and one of the most memorable experiences of my life.”
Photo Courtesy of Mike Pelliccione
Mike’s final Top 100 course may just be the most unforgettable of them all — and the perfect stage for his 100 Hole Hike.
Lofoten Links is a world-class, 18-hole course located above the Arctic Circle on the island of Gimsøy in Norway. Built on a former family farm, the course is framed by mountains, the Norwegian Sea, Viking burial grounds, and seven cliffside greens. And in the summer months? The sun never sets.
“You can play under the midnight sun, surrounded by ocean and rock,” Mike says. “It’s surreal.”
Lofoten’s Accolades:
- Ranked #88 in the world – Golf Magazine
- #2 in Continental Europe – Golf Digest
- Hole 2 ranked in the Top 10 Holes in Continental Europe – Golf World
- One of the Top 5 Courses in Continental Europe – Golf World
But this is more than a dream destination — it's where Mike’s journey comes full circle. Every fairway he's walked has led here, to a rugged coastline where he'll hike 100+ holes for a cause greater than himself.
“Ending my Top 100 journey with a Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike at Lofoten Links? That’s a memory I’ll carry forever.”
Photos Courtesy of Jacob Sjoman, Lofoten Links
Hiking for a Bigger Purpose
Mike first heard about the Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike back in 2016. It immediately landed on his bucket list. This year, the timing — and the location — finally lined up.
But Mike’s not just doing it for the experience. He’s doing it to help young golfers access the opportunities he’s had. Because golf, for him, has been life-changing — and he wants to pass that on.
“So many life lessons can be taught on the golf course. It’s amazing that we’re able to help kids get out there and learn.”
For Mike, the Hike is about impact. It’s about making golf more accessible, more inclusive and more transformative for youth everywhere. And it’s about honoring a game that’s shaped his life.
“Giving back to those who need it most is something we should all strive to do. I’m just so grateful that I can help kids get out on the course — and maybe one day, they’ll be doing a 100 Hole Hike of their own.”
Inspired By Mike?
You don’t need to hike at a Top 100 course (or even leave your hometown) to make a difference. This year, there are more than 30 Hike sites across the US and Canada to choose from. You can hike solo, gather a team and split the holes, or Plan Your Own Hike just like Mike.
Whether it’s at a local muni, a favorite 9-hole track, or a bucket list destination. Every step you take helps fund affordable rounds for young golfers across the country. Register today to make your impact.