Keep current with all the latest developments in the long drive arena - news reports, press releases, tournament updates. All the important deets appear here.
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BRIAN PAVLET ELECTED TO LONG DRIVERS OF AMERICA HALL OF FAME
INDUCTION CEREMONY SET FOR 2009 RE/MAX WORLD FINALS
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Dec. 17, 2008) - Brian Pavlet will be inducted into the
Long Drivers of America Hall of Fame next fall during the 2009 RE/MAX
World Long Drive Championship finals in Mesquite, Nevada.
Pavlet, 41, becomes the 12th individual awarded long drive's highest
honor. He earns a lifetime exemption to the RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, as well as to all other LDA-sanctioned events.
A former University of Nevada-Reno baseball player, Pavlet shot to
prominence by winning the U.S. National Long Drive Championship
(forerunner of the RE/MAX WLDC) in 1993.
Over the past 15 years, Pavlet has a compiled an impressive record at
the RE/MAX world finals. He was runner-up in 1999 and 2001, third in
1997 and 2002. Pavlet also made the top five in 1995 and 1998.
In 2003, Pavlet enjoyed a spectacular season on the LDA Tour that
included wins in Boston, Minneapolis, and Sacramento and a runner-up
finish at the LDA Tour Championship in Dallas.
Pavlet, a member of the elite Pinnacle Distance Team and a professional
golf entertainer, lives with his wife, Lisa, and sons, Tyler and Zane,
in the Phoenix suburb of Litchfield Park.
The list of LDA Hall of Fame members, with the year of their induction, includes:
Scott DeCandia (1996)
Mike Gorton (1996)
Art Sellinger (2000)
Bobby Wilson (2000)
Sean Fister (2002)
Michael Hooper (2002)
Jason Zuback (2003)
Mike Reagan (2004)*
Evan Williams (2005)
Fred Hooter (2005)
Stacey Shinnick (2007)
Brian Pavlet (2009)
*Honorary Member
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547 or
Gretchen Welde (888) 233-4654
DDC SET FOR MARCH 4-7, 2009; RE/MAX WLDC WILL HAVE THREE DIVISIONS
DIAMOND
IN THE DESERT CLASSIC, BENEFITING CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK, TEES OFF
IN EARLY MARCH; RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL HAVE THREE
DIVISIONS IN 2009
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Nov. 19, 2008) -- Long Drivers of America (LDA)
today announced that qualifying for the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, the premier event in power golf, begins with the
all-comers Diamond in the Desert Classic at Mesquite Regional Park in
Mesquite, Nevada on March 4-7.
A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will be directed to
Children's Miracle Network, LDA's designated charity.
"The Diamond in the Desert Classic gives long drivers a chance to
face a strong international field on the world championship grid in
Mesquite," said Art Sellinger owner and chief executive officer of LDA,
which stages and oversees the global RE/MAX event. "The DDC provides a
tremendous opportunity to jump start the new season. Plus, the
experience gained from competing at Mesquite Regional Park is
invaluable."
At stake during the Diamond in the Desert Classic will be
exemptions to the 2009 RE/MAX world finals, scheduled for October 25-30
in Mesquite.
"DDC winners bypass local and regional qualifying rounds,"
Sellinger explained. "They can focus all their time and energy on
peaking at the world finals in the fall. Punching a ticket to the big
show early is huge."
Entry fees for the Diamond in the Desert Classic are $40 per try
for qualifying rounds on Wednesday and Thursday. Players who advance to
championship rounds on Friday and Saturday will pay regional entry fees
of either $75 (LDA members) or $150 (nonmembers).
New Division Structure
Sellinger also announced that competition at the 2009 Diamond in
the Desert Classic will be conducted in three divisions -- open, senior
(ages 45-52) and super senior (ages 53 and up).
"We have decided to streamline the RE/MAX championship in 2009 by
eliminating two divisions, grand champions and women," he said. "We
salute 2008 RE/MAX world champions Rick Barry and Lana Lawless for
their victories, and we thank all the grand champions and women's
division entrants for their support.
"Eliminating these divisions was a difficult decision, but one we
felt was necessary going forward. The fact is that participation in
those two divisions has fallen well short of expectations. Simply put,
we are unable to envision a reversal to that trend. It's time to move
on."
Sellinger said a complete list of 2009 RE/MAX WLDC local and
regional qualifying sites and dates will be available by March 1, 2009.
"It's our intent to give competitive long drivers as much time as
possible to plan when and where they attempt to qualify," he said.
LDA also released the list of long drivers who earned exemptions
to the 2009 finals at the recently concluded 2008 RE/MAX world
championship. Exemptions have been awarded to:
OPEN DIVISION
Champion: Jamie Sadlowski, Canada
Runner-up: Dewald Gouws, South Africa
Semis: Landon Colling, USA
Derek Hines, USA
Quarters: Vince Ciurluini, USA
Joe Miller, England
Joe Shuba, USA
Jason Zuback, Canada
Top 12: Tim Hanley, USA
Adam Lipinski, USA
Steve Monroe, USA
Jerimie Montgomery, USA
Top 24: Zac Adams, USA
Winston Ahoy, Canada
Kevin Blenkhorn, Canada
Tom Celone, USA
Jeff Crittenden, USA
Jason Frey, USA
Tyler Kellett, USA
Josh Matthies, USA
Allen McDougall, USA
Mitch McDowell, USA
J.D. Murkerson, USA
Jesse Pettersen, Canada
SENIOR DIVISION
Champion: Dan Boever, USA
Runner-up: Mike Gorton, USA
Semis: Brian Harris, USA
Gerry James, USA
Top 8: Craig Brown, USA
Kyle Sawyer, USA
Greg Walker, USA
Mark Wamsley, USA
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Champion: Mike Gorton, USA
Runner-up: Steve Griffith, USA
Semis: Pete DeBoer, USA
Kim Shearburn, USA
Top 8: Ted Fostey, Canada
Fred Hooter, USA
Miguel Jaime, USA
Doug Miller, USA
An additional six exemptions to the 2009 world finals will be
awarded at the Diamond in the Desert Classic -- three in the open
division, two in the senior division and one in the super senior
division.
Schedule of Events
The schedule of events for the 2009 Diamond in the Desert Classic is:
Wednesday, March 4 -- Local qualifying (all divisions)
Thursday, March 5 -- Local qualifying (all divisions)
Friday, March 6 -- Open Division finals
Saturday, March 7 -- Senior Division and Super Senior Division finals
For more information on the Diamond in the Desert Classic, contact LDA headquarters at (toll-free) 888-233-4654.
LDA CANCELS 2008-09 EXCEPTIONAL DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP
COMPANY WILL REFUND ENTRY FEES TO CONTESTANTS
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Nov. 11, 2008) - Long Drivers of America (LDA) today
announced the cancellation of the 2008-09 Exceptional Driver
Championship (EDC).
The EDC, an annual driving contest for amateur golfers that rewarded
accurate power, had been scheduled for a November 2009 finals in
Mesquite, Nevada.
"We regret having to cancel the Exceptional Driver Championship," said
LDA owner and chief executive officer Art Sellinger, who created the
competition in 2005. "The reality is the tournament lacked sufficient
financial underpinning to sustain itself during the coming year."
Sellinger added: "Prospects of finding new tournament sponsors in the
current financial environment were slim to nonexistent. Eliminating the
EDC after its promising three-year run and its move to Golf Channel is
an act of necessity dictated entirely by economic conditions."
Sellinger said contestants who have already competed in 2008-09 EDC qualifying events would have their entry fees refunded.
Information about LDA and its professional power golf events, including
the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, is available at
www.longdrivers.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547 or (214) 349-3603
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Open and Senior Division Finals
Saturday, Oct. 25 Mesquite Regional Park, Mesquite, Nevada
First-time
winners Jamie Sadlowski and Dan Boever each claimed the most
prestigious prize in power golf in their respective divisions on
Saturday night, winning the 2008 RE/MAX world titles at Mesquite
Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Sadlowski, a 20-year-old ex hockey player from St. Paul,
Alberta, Canada, won the Open Division title when he launched a
Pinnacle Gold FX Long Drive Golf Ball a record 418 yards. The previous
RE/MAX finals record of 412 yards was held by long drive legend and
fellow Canadian Jason Zuback.
Best known for winning consecutive RE/MAX Junior World
Long Drive Championship titles in 2005-2006, Sadlowski earned $250,000
for his winning drive. Dewald Gouws of Westonaria, South Africa, was
the runner-up with a drive of 387 yards in the finals. Gouws earned
$60,000 for his drive.
Boever took home $50,000 with a drive of 366 yards in
the Senior Division finals. Boever who resides in Rogersville, Missouri
also travels the United States doing long drive exhibitions and trick
shot shows.
Mike Gorton from Erie, Colorado, earned a close second
in the Senior Division finals. The fan favorite produced a best drive
of 356 yards in the final round to pocket $20,000. Gorton also took
home the Super Senior Division win on Wednesday night. The tour rep
added to an extensive trophy collection that also includes the 1987
U.S. National Long Drive title.
RE/MAX WLDC Results:
Open Division Quarterfinal shootout � Top 4 advanced to Semifinal match-play
Jamie Sadlowski: St. Paul, Alberta, Canada: 415 yards
Dewald Gouws: Westonaria, South Africa: 415 yards
Derek Hines: Arvada, Colorado: 413 yards
Landon Colling: Columbus, Ohio: 405 yards
Jason Zuback: Calgary, Alberta, Canada: 400 yards
Joe Shuba: Canonsberg, Pennsylvania: 387 yards
Vince Ciurluini: Los Angeles, California: 380 yards
Joe Miller: London, England: 379 yards
Open Division Semifinal (Match Play):
Jamie Sadlowski (1) def. Landon Colling (4), 419-364
Dewald Gouws (2) def. Derek Hines (3), 412-OB
Final Match:
Sadlowski def. Gouws, 418-387/1
Senior Division Semifinals (Match Play):
Dan Boever (1) Gerry James (4), 379-360
Mike Gorton (2) def. Brian Harris (1), 377-363
Final Match:
Boever def. Gorton, 366/25-356/13
Hixson Defends Title at the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship presented by 7Up
Thursday, Oct. 23
Defending Champion and U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer, Ryan Hixson
claimed Military World Long Drive's most prestigious prize in power on
Thursday night, winning the 2008 Military World Long Drive Title at
Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada. The Night was presented by
7-UP and MWR (Military Welfare and Recreation.)
Hixson from Cincinnati, Ohio won the Military World Long Drive
Championship with a drive of 389 yards against Olean, New York born
Brandon Boehmer with a drive of 332 yards. The 2008 Military World Long
Drive Champion earned $10,000 for the win, and will also compete in the
RE/MAX World Long Drive Open Division.
Military night consisted of an all-American themed show. American flags
and camouflaged bracelets were given to all attendees, and IBC provided
Root Beer floats.
The night started with a powerful opening of former Golden Night and
Green Beret, Dana Bowman jumping from a helicopter carrying an 800
square foot flag. Bowman lost both of his legs in an accident during a
routine jump in Yuma, Arizona.
The Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard provided the audience with the
presentation of the colors as everyone stood for the National Anthem.
Former Vietnam Veteran, and amputee Bob Wedge hit the Ceremonial First
Ball. Wedge is a long-time supporter and announcer for the RE/MAX World
Long Drive Championship.
Military Night also included a motivational speech from Jason Lane, who
served in Operation Desert Shield. Lane lost his left arm in a
motorcycle accident and is an advocate for amputee golfers.
The night concluded with a patriotic-themed laser show.
Military World Long Drive Championship Match Play Finals Results:
Ryan Hixson (1) def. Boehmer (2), 389-332
2008 RE/MAX WLDC Recap Day 3
Wednesday, Oct. 22
First-time winner Lana Lawless and repeat champions Rick Barry and Mike
Gorton each claimed the most prestigious prize in power golf on
Wednesday night, winning 2008 RE/MAX world titles at Mesquite Regional
Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Lawless from Palm Springs, California, won the women's division
championship with a drive of 254 yards into a fierce headwind gusting
over 30 mph.
A 2007 RE/MAX WLDC semifinalist and the winner of LDA's Desert Duel
earlier this year, Lawless earned $12,500. Phillis Meti of Auckland,
New Zealand, the 2006 RE/MAX world champion, was runner-up for the
second consecutive year.
Rick Barry from Colorado Springs, Colorado, earned a second consecutive
title in the grand champions division. The NBA legend and scoring
machine produced a best drive of 285 yards, 1" in the brutal conditions
to pocket $12,500. John Joseph, a PGA golf professional from Indio,
California, was runner-up.
Gorton, who resides in Erie, Colorado, added to an extensive trophy
collection that also includes the 1987 U.S. National Long Drive Title
and the 2000 RE/MAX senior crown. A tour rep for Yonex, Gorton earned
$25,000 for the repeat win.
Steve Griffith, from Hamilton, Ohio, was runner-up for the second straight season.
RE/MAX WLDC Results:
Women's Division:
Lana Lawless (1) def. Tiffany Catafygiotu 4), 266-235
Phillis Meti (3) def. Sally Dee (2), 300-266
Lawless def. Meti, 254/11-250/28.5
Grand Champions Division:
John Joseph (4) def. Fred Hooter (1), 259-OB
Rick Barry (3) def. Rick Scott (2), 289-275
Barry def. Joseph, 285/1-OB
Super Senior Division:
Mike Gorton (1) def. Pete DeBoer (4), 311-269
Steve Griffith (2) def. Kim Shearburn, 268-OB
Gorton def. Griffith, 301/32-280/4
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Recap for Tuesday, October 21, 2008
For the second consecutive year, Mike Gorton and Steve Griffith are the top two seeds for super senior division match-play after Tuesday's elimination rounds at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Gorton, the 2007 RE/MAX world champion, secured the top seed with a drive of 387 yards in round seven of the modified double-elimination format. The LDA Hall of Fame member, who resides in Erie, Colorado, is a pro tour rep for Yonex.
Griffith, the 2005 RE/MAX world champion and 2007 runner-up, nailed down the second seed with a drive of 379 yards in the same round. Griffith, who lives in Hamilton, Ohio, is an elementary school teacher.
Kim Shearburn of St. Louis, Missouri, earned the third seed for Wednesday night�s finals, blasting a drive of 368 yards in round nine. Pete DeBoer of Palm Springs, California, drove 361 yards that same round to lock up the fourth seed.
Shearburn is an industrial distributor; DeBoer a small business owner.
Ted Fostey of Calgary, Alberta, had the longest drive of the day in the super senior division - 401 yards in round five.
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Qualifying Results
Mike Gorton 387 yards Round Seven (Winner's Bracket)
Steve Griffith 379 yards Round Seven (Winner's Bracket)
Kim Shearburn 368 yards Round Nine (Loser's Bracket)
Pete DeBoer 361 yards Round Nine (Loser's Bracket)
Semifinal Match-ups
(1) Gorton vs. (4) DeBoer
(2) Griffith vs. (3) Shearburn
In the RE/MAX WLDC senior division, Doug Penneman of Keller, Texas, earned the 48th and final spot in Wednesday's qualifying rounds, with a resounding drive of 392 yards.
Penneman defeated Jeff Nichols of Tucson, Arizona, in a best-of-three-sets playoff.
Match scores were:
Nichols, 351, def. Penneman, 349;
Penneman, 362, def. Nichols, 354;
Penneman, 392, def. Nichols, 351.
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Recap for Monday, October 20, 2008
Lana Lawless and Fred Hooter captured the top seeds for Wednesday night�s match-play rounds in the women�s and grand champions divisions of the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship during Monday�s elimination rounds at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Lawless, a 2007 semifinalist from Palm Springs, Calif., drove 335 yards in round seven to clinch the top seed. Sally Dee, the 2004 RE/MAX world champion from Tampa, Fla., secured the second seed with a drive measuring 314 yards.
Rounding out the top four will be Phillis Meti of Auckland, New Zealand, and Tiffany Catafygiotu of Greenville, South Carolina.
Hooter, from Auburn, Ala., drove 389 yards in round seven to secure the top spot in the grand champions division (for RE/MAX competitors ages 61 and up). Rick Scott of Sioux City, Iowa, drove 363 yards that same round to lock up the second seed.
Women�s Division Top Four
Lana Lawless 335 yards Round Seven (Winner�s Bracket)
Sally Dee 314 yards Round Seven (Winner�s Bracket)
Phillis Meti 349 yards Round Eight (Loser�s Bracket)
Tiffany Catafygiotu 327 yards Round Eight
Wednesday Night Matchups:
Lawless (1) vs. Catafygiotu (4)
Dee (2) vs. Meti (3)
Grand Champions Division Top Four
Fred Hooter 389 yards Round Seven (Winner�s Bracket)
Rick Scott 363 yards Round Seven (Winner�s Bracket)
Rick Barry 373 yards Round Eight (Loser�s Bracket)
John Joseph 345 yards Round Eight (Loser�s Bracket)
Wednesday Night Matchups:
Hooter (1) vs. Joseph (4)
Scott (2) vs. Barry (3)
HOME RUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS
ESPN SCHEDULES RE/MAX WLDC AIRINGS ON CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Oct. 6, 2008) - What could be better for a power golf fan than watching ESPN's traditional Christmas Day telecast of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship?
Getting to see the 90-minute HDTV program on Christmas Eve as well.
Thanks to the Worldwide Leader in Sports, that Christmas wish has come true. ESPN will tee up back-to-back telecasts of the premier event in power golf on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
ESPN will air the 2008 RE/MAX WLDC finals - which take place in Mesquite, Nevada on October 20-25 - at 3pm ET on Christmas Eve; ESPN2 will follow suit at 2pm ET on Christmas Day.
"We're delighted ESPN has taken a page from the Ernie Banks playbook and decided to play two," said Art Sellinger, chief executive officer of Long Drivers of America (LDA), which conducts the eight-month international grass roots competition that determines golf's biggest hitter. "We are ecstatic for long drive competitors, fans and sponsors. This is a home run for our sport."
To learn more about the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, and other LDA-sanctioned events, browse www.longdrivers.com or contact LDA headquarters (888) 233-4654.
RE/MAX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SITE RECEIVES GLOWING REVIEW
Power Golf�s Premier Event Begins Oct. 20 at New Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Oct. 2, 2008) - With the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nevada less than three weeks away, Long Drivers of America (LDA) officials are beaming about the multimillion dollar new home for power golf's premier event.
"The facilities dedicated specifically to long drive at Mesquite Regional Park represent a dream come true for LDA members, LDA marketing partners and everyone involved with our sport," said LDA chief executive officer Art Sellinger, who toured the facility in late September. "To describe the new site as a world-class venue for golf's biggest hitters or an outstanding showcase for elite long drivers fails to do it justice. It's all that and more."
Sellinger praised the collaboration between the City of Mesquite, Pulte Homes and Cleland Group Design for a project nearly three years in the making. "Together they have done an amazing job and created a tremendous asset for Mesquite and its residents," he said. "There's ample space to accommodate spectators and tremendous sight lines - not just for long drive competition but for other sports like soccer, softball, and baseball."
Sellinger also noted the setting is ideal for television: "The backdrop at night, when we stage the RE/MAX finals in each division, is simply breathtaking. The Flat Top Mesa borders the left side of the championship grid and city lights illuminate the right side. Members of ESPN's production crew have already visited the site, and they tell us the images will be incredible."
The 2008 RE/MAX world finals get underway on Monday, Oct. 20, with elimination rounds in the women's and grand champions divisions. A total of 272 international long drivers will be competing for world titles in five adult divisions and a $600,000 purse. The open division champion pockets $250,000 and earns bragging rights as the longest hitter on the planet.
ESPN will broadcast a 90-minute RE/MAX WLDC highlights show during the Christmas holidays (date and times TBD) and, through its international affiliates, distribute the program worldwide.
RE/MAX CHAMPIONSHIP GRID
Sellinger said the championship grid at Mesquite Regional Park runs south to north and is perfectly flat but for a .5 degree grade for drainage. The grid's surface is native Bermuda grass that will not be overseeded before the championship.
"LDA has contracted the services of one of the top golf course maintenance teams in the Mesquite area," he said. "The grid is being maintained at a half-inch using a triplex mower. The surface is being mowed twice a week down-grain, and is being rolled three times a week."
"Barring any significant amount of rainfall," he added, "the grid should maintain a nice, quick pace throughout the competition."
ON THE TEE
RE/MAX WLDC competitors will be hitting Pinnacle Gold golf balls, the official ball of long drive, and teeing off on a synthetic tee created especially for the championship by Southwest Greens of Las Vegas.
Tournament officials suggest RE/MAX competitors bring both 3 1/4" and 4" tees to the event for practice (LDA will supply Zero Friction tees on the championship tee only).
The official practice site for competitors will be the driving range at the Palms Golf Club (which hosted the RE/MAX WLDC finals from 1998-2007).
Players warming up for competition at Mesquite Regional Park will hit off mats. Hitting irons off the natural turf at the new site is strictly prohibited. LDA will have a mat at each station on the range at the new site.
"We're ready to rock," said Sellinger, who noted LDA's field staff is already in Mesquite prepping the tournament site. "Thanks to the vision of city leaders in Mesquite and to Pulte Homes, we're going to have an event for the ages at Mesquite Regional Park. I believe this will be the championship that long drivers will be talking about 10 or 20 years from now. Everyone is going to remember 2008."
Coast Guardsman, Navy son complete field for Military Long Drive Championship
By Tim Hipps FMWRC Public Affairs
FORT MEADE, Md. � Defending champion Ryan Hixson of the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Family member Kyle Blakely secured the last two spots in the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship presented by 7UP with a 1-2 finish in the final regional qualifier Sept. 26 at The Courses Fort Meade.
Last year, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Hixson won the inaugural Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command-sponsored event at Mesquite, Nev., which earned him the title of military long drive champion, $10,000, and a spot in the open division of the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship on Oct. 25 in Mesquite.
Hixson won this year�s regional competition at Fort Meade with a drive of 380 yards in a two-man finale against Blakely, who finished second with a 339-yard drive in the finals. His longest drive of the event was 370 yards.
Blakely, a 21-year-old son of a retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, will compete against Hixson in both the military and open divisions at Mesquite.
A junior majoring in professional golf management at Clemson University, Blakely qualified for the open division finals of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship with a 409-yard blast at Bryan Park Golf Course in Browns Summit, N.C., on Aug. 9.
By virtue of his runner-up finish at Fort Meade, he will join Hixson, Army Staff Sgt. Bryan King, Idaho Army National Guard Sgt. Ben Wood, Air Force Staff Sgt. Carl Taylor and Army family member Brandon Boehmer in the Military Long Drive Championship Oct. 23 in Mesquite.
Before advancing to regional competition, each of the six finalists won one of 27 local competitions waged between July 11 and Aug. 31. They earned an all-expenses-paid week in Mesquite, where they will compete for $10,000 and an exemption into the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.
King and Taylor finished in second and fourth places respectively at the 2007 Military Long Drive Championship in Mesquite.
This year, King drove from his duty station in Bamberg to Heidelberg, Germany, where he won the European region with a 355-yard drive. Taylor punched his second ticket to Mesquite with a 379-yard blast at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club on Fort Carson, Colo.
Wood won his local qualifier with a drive of 386 yards at Eagles Pride Golf Course on Fort Lewis, Wash., and finished runner-up to Taylor at Fort Carson with a 364-yard drive.
Boehmer exemplified the Army Family Covenant�s mission of providing for military family members. A youth sports coordinator at Camp Zama, Japan, he is married to an active duty Soldier, which earned him the right to participate in the event. Boehmer won the Asian region with a 364-yard drive at Yongsan Garrison�s Seongnam Golf Course in Seoul, South Korea.
Blakely became a quick study in the sport of long drive while interning with the Long Drivers of America. �Honestly, I look at it almost the same as if you�re on a par 5 tee box � you�re trying to hit the fairway,� he said. �The only difference is you�ve got six balls, which is a little nicer. When you hit it 400 yards or however far you may hit it, it�s a little more difficult to control it, but the main focus is to get your spot, hit it, and hit it in the grid just like hitting it in the fairway.�
As a seventh-grader, Blakely began playing on his high school golf team. He was the No. 1 player on the squad his freshman through senior seasons. He received a grant-in-aid to play golf at Wofford College, but transferred after one semester to Clemson, where he now works at The Walker Course.
�I would love to win the worlds, but as soon as I graduate, I want to open up my own driving range,� said Blakely, who launched a 370-yard drive in round seven at Fort Meade. �I would love to continue holding long-drive tournaments. I think it can be a bigger sport than it is. I think there are a lot of people out there who [can] hit the ball longer than they think they do and could actually make something out of it. I just want to make the long drive sport bigger and open up my own driving range, hold tournaments there, and give lessons.�
In the meantime, he would like to make a name for himself at the finals in Mesquite, which the military division opened to dependents this year.
�I�m excited and looking forward to the trip,� Blakely said. �It�s going to be a good time, no matter what. I appreciate the military making that rule so I can play.�
Hixson, on the other hand, plans to defend his military crown against the young contender and try to hang with the big boys in the open division, too.
�I thrive on the competition; I love it,� said Hixson, who at Fort Meade saved his best drive for last. �You have to raise your level of game, and that�s pretty much what happened."
Hixson, stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., won the local qualifier at MacDill Air Force Base. �I represent the Coast Guard, and that�s a big part of it,� Hixson said. �A lot of people don�t know who the Coast Guard is or what they do. Through my endeavors, it might bring a little awareness."
�I want to win the open and the military,� said Hixson, 26, who measures 6-feet-4, 230 pounds. �That�s my goal.� Hixson prevailed on a rainy day at Fort Meade, and expects favorable conditions in Mesquite to boost his performance.
�You figure we�re at sea level here [234 feet] and it is 1,600 feet out there,� he said. �The air�s going to be thinner, so that 380 [yard drive] is probably going to go 400 out there. And in the open division, I think only seven guys hit over 400 last year, so that�s a pretty big ball.�
RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP REGION 8 NEWS ALERT
In anticipation of likely adverse effects of Hurricane Ike on the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Long Drivers of America (LDA) has decided to push back the Region 8 finals in Dallas from this weekend to next weekend.
Region 8 finals have been rescheduled for Sept. 20-21 at City Pointe Golf Center in Dallas. The final two local qualifying events for Region 8 will be staged in the morning and during the afternoon on Friday, Sept. 19.
Region 8 finals for open division and women�s division competitors will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20; regional finals for senior, super senior and grand champions division competitors will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21.
�We regret any inconvenience this postponement may create for RE/MAX competitors,� said LDA chief executive officer Art Sellinger. �But given the prospects of damaging winds, widespread flooding and the spawning of tornadoes, this decision was an easy one to make � as well as the prudent one. We have no intention whatsoever of putting LDA competitors or staff at risk.�
�While we remain hopeful Hurricane Ike will turns into a non-event and inflict minimal damage, we are mindful this could be a catastrophic storm. Our prayers and concerns are for everyone in its path.�
2008 RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP U.S. REGIONAL FINALS DOWN TO ONE
REGION 8 IN DALLAS THIS WEEKEND
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Sept. 8, 2008) - The last of 12 regional qualifying
competitions associated with the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, the premier event in power golf, takes place in Dallas on
September 13-14:
Region 8 - COTTON BELT
City Pointe Golf Center
Dallas, Texas
Last chance RE/MAX local qualifying rounds are scheduled for the morning and afternoon at City Pointe on Friday, September 12.
The schedule for Region 8 finals on Saturday (Sept. 13) has women's
division competitors on the tee first, followed by open division
competitors. The schedule for Sunday (Sept. 14) has the senior division
competitors up first, followed by the super seniors and grand champions.
Top finishers in Dallas advance to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship finals, which take place in Mesquite, Nevada on October
20-25. ESPN will debut a 90-minute tournament recap during the
Christmas holidays (date TBD).
The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship has a total purse of
$600,000. The open division champion, widely recognized as golf's
biggest hitter, will earn $250,000.
For complete information on the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, including dates and sites for local qualifiers and
regional finals, browse www.longdrivers.com.
PENULTIMATE REGIONALS ON TAP FOR 2008 RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
TOURNEYS THIS WEEKEND IN ILLINOIS, CALIFORNIA
ROANOKE, TEXAS (August 18, 2008) - The next-to-last weekend of regional
finals associated with the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship,
the premier event in power golf, unfolds September 6-7 at the following
sites:
Region 6 - UPPER MIDWEST
The Golf Shack
Rockford, Illinois
Region 11 - FAR WEST
Warner Springs Ranch Resort & GC
Warner Springs, California
Both qualifying sites will host last-chance locals in the morning and afternoon on Friday, September 5.
The schedule for both the Region 6 and Region 11 finals have women's
division and open division competitors on the tee on Saturday,
September 6; senior, super senior and grand champions division
competitors will be in action on Sunday, September 7.
Top finishers at these regional tournaments advance to the 2008 RE/MAX
World Long Drive Championship finals, which take place in Mesquite,
Nevada on October 20-25. ESPN will debut a 90-minute tournament recap
during the Christmas holidays (date TBD).
The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship has a total purse of
$600,000. The open division champion, widely recognized as golf's
biggest hitter, will earn $250,000.
For complete information on the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, including dates and sites for local qualifiers and
regional finals, browse www.longdrivers.com.
2008 RE/MAX WLDC REGIONAL ROUNDS THIS WEEKEND IN PENNSYLVANIA, ARIZONA
TOP FINISHERS ADVANCE TO FINALS IN MESQUITE, NEVADA
ROANOKE, TEXAS (August 18, 2008) � Regional finals for the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, take place August 23-24 at the following sites:
Region 1 � NORTHEAST
Oakland Beach Golf Club
Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
Region 10 � MOUNTAIN WEST
Raven at Verrado Golf Course
Buckeye, Arizona
Both sites will host last-chance local qualifiers on Friday, August 22.
The schedule for both the Region 1 and Region 10 finals have women�s division and open division competitors on the tee on Saturday, August 23; senior, super senior and grand champions division competitors will be in action on Sunday, August 24.
Top finishers at the regional tournaments advance to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals, which take place in Mesquite, Nevada on October 20-25. ESPN will debut a 90-minute tournament recap during the Christmas holidays (date TBD).
The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship has a total purse of $600,000. The open division champion, widely recognized as golf�s biggest hitter, will earn $250,000.
For complete information on the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including dates and sites for local qualifiers and regional finals, visit www.longdrivers.com.
LONG DRIVERS OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES POLICY ON PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUBSTANCES
Testing To Begin At Upcoming RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Finals
ROANOKE, TEXAS (August 12, 2008) - Long Drivers of America (LDA) announced today it will initiate steroid/drug testing at its LDA-sanctioned power golf events beginning with the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championsip in Mesquite, Nevada on October 20-25.
Long drive competitors who have qualified for the RE/MAX world finals will be subject to on-site testing for possible use of over 40 steroids and masking agents, plus amphetamines and methamphetamines.
�It is imperative that LDA creates a level playing field for its competitors and eliminates artificially-derived advantages, if any, that exist within our sport,� said Art Sellinger, LDA�s owner and chief executive officer. �Maintaining the integrity of our sport is vital,� he added. �Unfortunately, because of a few cheaters in other professional sports, all athletes in all sports are under a cloud of suspicion. Long Drivers of America seeks to protect its professionals and take a strong position against performance-enhancing drugs.�
LDA�s Policy on Performance-Enhancing Drugs
To ensure the integrity of its long drive competition, Long Drivers of America (LDA) bans the use of performance-enhancing stimulants such as anabolic steroids effective immediately.
Contestants in LDA-sanctioned events are subject to random tests for performance-enhancing stimulants. A complete list of substances LDA deems illegal for use by long drive competitors appears at www.longdrivers.com.
LDA will conduct random testing during its events beginning with the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.
Failure or refusal to submit to tests for performance-enhancing drugs will result in immediate disqualification from the competition.
Failure to pass LDA�s test will result in: disqualification from the competition; forfeiture of any prize money earned; a one-year suspension from LDA-sanctioned events.
Sellinger concluded: �We�re hopeful that the upshot of LDA�s drug testing will be to redirect the public�s focus to the reality that elite long drivers are remarkable athletes with amazing talent.�
CLICK HERE to view list of banned substances
2008 RE/MAX WLDC REGIONAL ROUNDS ON TAP FOR FLORIDA, MICHIGAN TOP FINISHERS ADVANCE TO FINALS IN MESQUITE, NEVADA
ROANOKE, TEXAS (August 11, 2008) � Regional qualifying tournaments associated with the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, continue this weekend at the following sites:
Region 3 � DEEP SOUTH
Duran Golf Club
Viera, Florida
Aug. 16-17
Region 4 � GREAT LAKES
Saginaw Golf Center
Saginaw, Michigan
Aug. 16-17
The Region 3 finals will be preceded by a last-chance local qualifier at Duran Golf Club on Friday, August 15; the Region 4 finals will be preceded by a local qualifying event at Leaderboard Driving Range in Flint, Michigan on Thursday, August 14 and a last-chance local qualifier at Saginaw Golf Center on Friday, August 15.
Top finishers at these regional qualifying events advance to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals, which take place in Mesquite, Nevada on October 20-25. ESPN will debut a 90-minute tournament recap during the Christmas holidays (date TBD).
The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship has a total purse of $600,000. The open division champion, widely recognized as golf�s biggest hitter, will earn $250,000.
For complete information on the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including dates and sites for local qualifiers and regional finals, visit www.longdrivers.com.
2008 RE/MAX WLDC REGIONAL ROUNDS CONTINUE IN NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, HAWAII
WORLD FINALS SPOTS IN MESQUITE, NEVADA AT STAKE
ROANOKE, TEXAS (August 6, 2008) - Regional qualifying tournaments associated with the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, continue this weekend at the following sites:
Region 2 - Atlantic Coast
Bryan Golf Park
Browns Summit, North Carolina
Aug. 9-10
Region 5 - Ohio Valley
Vic's Golf & Teaching Range
Mansfield, Ohio
Aug. 9-10
Region 12 - Aloha State
Olomana Golf Links
Waimanalo, Hawaii
Aug. 9-10
Top finishers at regional qualifying events advance to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals, which take place in Mesquite, Nevada on October 20-25.
Long drivers will be competing for a record total purse of $600,000 in 2008. The open division champion will earn $250,000, by far the largest payday in the sport's history.
ESPN will debut a 90-minute tournament recap during the Christmas holidays (date TBD).
Divisions:
The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship features competition in five adult divisions: Open, Senior (45-52), Super Seniors (53-60), Grand Champions (61 and up) and Women. If age-eligible, competitors may enter multiple divisions.
Field:
RE/MAX championship week in Mesquite will feature a total of 272 long drive competitors. The breakdown by division:
Open Division - 128 hitters
Senior Division - 48 hitters
Super Senior Division - 48 hitters
Women's Division - 24 hitters
Grand Champions Division - 24 hitters
Total: 272
Defending Champions:
The following individuals will attempt to defend RE/MAX world titles they captured in 2007:
Open Division: Mike Dobbyn (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Senior Division: Frank Miller (Covina, California)
Super Senior Division: Mike Gorton (Erie, Colorado)
Women's Division: Sheila Kelliher (Quartz Hill, Calif.)
Grand Champions: Rick Barry (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Championship Week in Mesquite:
Among the highlights of RE/MAX championship week will be: finals in three divisions (Super Seniors, Women, Grand Champions) on Wednesday evening (October 22); a tribute to U.S. armed forces and finals of the Military Long Drive Championship, co-sponsored by RE/MAX International and Cadbury Schweppes, on Thursday evening (October 23).
The finals in the open and senior divisions take place on Saturday evening (October 25), with the longest hitter in the open division walking away with a cool $250,000.
For complete information on the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including dates and sites for regional finals, visit www.longdrivers.com.
2008 RE/MAX WLDC REGIONAL ROUND START IN ST. LOUIS, SEATTLE
ROANOKE, TEXAS (July 23, 2008) - Regional qualifying tournaments for the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, begin on the first weekend in August at two sites:
Region 7 - Great Plains
Crystal Quarry Springs Golf Club
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Aug. 1-2
Region 9 - Great Northwest
High Cedars Golf Course
Orting, Washington
Aug. 2-3
Top finishers at regional qualifying events advance to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals, which take place in Mesquite, Nevada on October 20-25.
Long drivers will be competing for a record total purse of $600,000 in 2008. The open division champion will earn $250,000, by far the largest payday in the sport's history.
ESPN will debut a 90-minute tournament recap during the Christmas holidays (date TBD).
Divisions:
The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship features competition in five adult divisions: Open, Senior (45-52), Super Seniors (53-60), Grand Champions (61 and up) and Women. If age-eligible, competitors may enter multiple divisions.
Field:
RE/MAX championship week in Mesquite will feature a total of 272 long drive competitors. The breakdown by division:
Open Division - 128 hitters
Senior Division - 48 hitters
Super Senior Division - 48 hitters
Women's Division - 24 hitters
Grand Champions Division - 24 hitters
Total: 272
Defending Champions:
The following individuals will attempt to defend RE/MAX world titles they captured in 2007:
Open Division: Mike Dobbyn (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Senior Division: Frank Miller (Covina, California)
Super Senior Division: Mike Gorton (Erie, Colorado)
Women's Division: Sheila Kelliher (Quartz Hill, Calif.)
Grand Champions: Rick Barry (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Championship Week in Mesquite:
Among the highlights of RE/MAX championship week will be: finals in three divisions (Super Seniors, Women, Grand Champions) on Wednesday evening (October 22); a tribute to U.S. armed forces, along with the finals of the Military Long Drive Championship, co-sponsored by RE/MAX International and Cadbury Schweppes, on Thursday evening (October 23).
The finals in the open and senior divisions take place on Saturday evening (October 25), with the longest hitter in the open division walking away with a cool $250,000.
For complete information on the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including dates and sites for regional finals, continue to browse www.longdrivers.com.
NOTICE TO MANUFACTURERS AND COMPETITORS
Long Drivers of America (LDA) announces the following procedure for CT testing during the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals in Mesquite, Nevada, on October 20-25.
LDA will conduct random tests during RE/MAX championship week with its licensed CT testing device. LDA was granted a license to use this equipment by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in April 2008.
Random tests will take place either during tournament registration at the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino or during warm-up periods at the championship site.
1. A specific driver, whether new or used, will be tested only once during championship week. Tests will encompass all five RE/MAX divisions.
2. If the driver is deemed to conform under the CT tolerance level of 257, as set forth by the USGA, it will be deemed fit for play during the entire tournament and will receive a special marking that signifies it has passed the CT test.
3. However, if a driver is deemed to exceed the CT tolerance level of 257, as set forth by the USGA, the club will be deemed unfit for play during the entire tournament. LDA officials will take possession of the club through the tournament�s conclusion.
Any long driver who has qualified for the 2008 RE/MAX WLDC finals may submit a driver (or drivers) to LDA for CT testing provided they: ensure the club reaches LDA headquarters prior to October 5, 2008; include a check to cover the expense of return ground shipping.
Please note: Drivers used by players that qualify for the final rounds in their respective RE/MAX divisions will be subject to CT testing before the final rounds begin; multiple drivers may be tested.
If you have any questions about LDA's CT testing procedure, feel free to contact LDA headquarters. We will also go over the procedure during the player briefings in Mesquite.
Please give this matter your full attention.
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