LDA: Congratulations on winning your second RE/MAX world championship in 2011 with a record-setting performance in the Senior Division.
David: Thank you!

LDA: Your winning drive of 459 yards obliterated the RE/MAX WLDC Senior Division record of 394 yards and change that Frank Miller set back in 2007. Is that a personal best in competition?
David: Yes… And it also obliterated Jamie’s Open Division record. But don’t tell him. I don’t want to kill his confidence. He’s kinda fragile. :)

LDA: What was your reaction on championship Friday when you arrived at Mesquite Sports and Event Complex and saw the conditions – sustained winds out of the south blowing dead downwind? How did that affect your game plan, if at all?
David: Very positive! The conditions ALWAYS affect my strategy. I’m not as gifted as most of the athletes in this sport. So I have to use the conditions to my advantage. Even though the downwind conditions favored everyone but me, I knew it meant I had to be perfect if I was hoping to win.

LDA: Did you make any equipment changes during the quarters, semis and finals? Or did you do all your damage with the same setup?
David: Nope. By then Jerry and I had it dialed in.

LDA: Your penetrating ball flight and comparatively lower trajectory seemingly provided a rebuttal against the prevailing notion that “higher is better” in downwind conditions. Would you agree or disagree?
David: I would agree. When winds blow at 20+ MPH there is a cruising altitude for your golf ball. In order to maximize your distance you have to find it. I was lucky my swing was in a groove so I could this year.

LDA: You were part of arguably the strongest Senior Division final eight ever assembled in Mesquite. In retrospect, what was the key to your coming out on top?
David: Arguably?... We had 10 RE/MAX titles and Ciurluini! It WAS!... The key was my first win in 2004. I didn’t fully know I was on their level before then.

LDA: How sweet was it to clutch the crystal again?
David: Sweeter than my mom’s pecan pie topped with homemade ice cream covered in hot fudge!

LDA: Talk about some of your other highlights in 2011. You had a strong showing in Sweden at the match-play event, and won the Senior Division at the Mile High Shootout in August. In early December you won the Shank’s Shootout in South Carolina.
David: Yeah… It was a great year because of my loss to Lance in Sweden. I have had severe depression and ADHD problems for several years. On the nine-hour flight home I decided to get some help. By the Mile High Shootout, my doc and I were close. By worlds we had it figured out!

LDA: What were some of your other highlights in 2011 as far as outings, appearances, radio shows, TV, etc.
David: Wow! Events like the “Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After the Masters”, the Jimmy “V” Golf Classic, and the “Murray Bros Invitational” have highlighted my schedule for many years. But the interviews I had with David Feherty, Jim Furyk, Billy Kratzert, the cast of “Morning Drive” and other on-air talent from GC like Steve Sands, Todd Lewis, and Charlie Rymer were the best! When you talk to people like that you learn so much and come away with a better perspective on things you thought you knew.

LDA: What’s on the docket for 2012? We see you’ve signed up for the Mesquite Shootout next month. What else do you have going on?
David: My competition schedule is busy… LDA events, APGBull’s events and Sweden. Also, getting The Golf Mob worldwide. I have my own channel on youtube so people can see what really goes on inside The Golf Mob. It’s ridiculous!

LDA: Have you set any specific goals for 2012? Like defending your RE/MAX WLDC title, for example.
David: Yes… Defending is my first priority. Also, I want to win another LDA Tour event and make the finals at Worlds in the Open Division. I need to settle the argument from last year. :)

LDA: You’re 46, 47 next August. Is taking a run at the Champions Tour in your long-range plans? Or is that too far off to even contemplate?
David: No, it’s not too far off. In fact, if I had the monetary means I would start now. It takes several years of regular competition to get to that level with your mental stamina and physical game. It’s a grind! And you have to develop your work habits and your patience to fit that mold. It is the complete opposite of long drive.

LDA: Any shout-outs at this time?
David: Yes! To my beautiful, adoring, patient, awesome wife Lori! Whom I forgot to thank on TV… Thank you for being so amazing!!! And my sons Jack and Mike for letting dad stay focused and helping me with my workouts and practice. You guys rock!

LDA: Again, congratulations on winning a second RE/MAX world title. That puts you in elite company.
David: Thanks!