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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CURRENT NEWS
LDA SCHEDULES MEMBERS-ONLY DESERT DUEL FOR AUGUST 27 IN MESQUITE
Event Serves As RE/MAX WLDC Preview
ROANOKE, TEXAS (June 25, 2009) – Long Drivers of America (LDA) has
announced it will conduct a members-only tournament - the 2009 Desert
Duel - at Mesquite Regional Sports and Events Complex on Thursday,
August 27.
Desert Duel competition will take place in two divisions: open and
seniors (45+). The open field will be capped at 48 hitters, the senior
field at 12.
The entry fee is $600 per player. Based on a full field, prize money will be $36,000.
LDA’s 2009 Desert Duel will serve as a preview for the 2009 RE/MAX
World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, which
begins in Mesquite on October 25 and concludes under the lights on
Friday, October 30.
“The Desert Duel provides our members with the opportunity to hit on
the world championship grid two months prior to the RE/MAX finals,”
said LDA owner and chief executive officer Art Sellinger. “That is
invaluable preparation for anyone, but especially for new LDA members
who have yet to compete on our grandest stage.”
Three exemptions to the RE/MAX world finals -– two open and one senior –- will be awarded to the highest Desert Duel finishers.
Sellinger said LDA’s 2009 Desert Duel will simulate the RE/MAX WLDC
championship finals. “We’re going to conduct the elimination rounds in
both divisions on Thursday morning and then have the finals for the top
eight open hitters and top four senior hitters at night, under the
lights,” he said.
Desert Duel Registration
Registration for LDA’s 2009 Desert Duel opens on Monday, June 29 at 9
a.m. CDT; spots in each division will be filled on a first-come,
first-served basis by calling (888) 233-4654 or (682) 549-2105.
All competitors must be current LDA members; former LDA members wishing
to compete in the Desert Duel must have their memberships reinstated.
Payment of the Desert Duel entry fee is due at registration. No exceptions will be permitted.
RE/MAX WLDC Local, Regionals on Aug. 28-30
LDA’s 2009 Desert Duel will also serve as a prelude to the RE/MAX WLDC
Region 9 finals at Mesquite Regional Sports and Events Complex on
August 29 and 30.
A last-chance local qualifier for Region 9 takes place on Friday, August 28.
“We’ve scheduled four memorable days in Mesquite at the end of August,”
Sellinger noted. “Our members can compete in a tour event on the best
grid in the world; then those who aren’t already in the RE/MAX field in
October have the opportunity to qualify through the Region 9 finals.”
Sellinger added: “We’re expecting a good turnout and a lot of great hitting. It should be a huge event.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547 or
rrprsp@airmail.net
Wolter Wins Texas Shootout With Sixth-Ball Heroics
Carl
Wolter came through in the clutch, launching a massive 397-yard moon
ball, to claim the open division title at LDA's Texas Shootout
Presented by Toyota of Lewisville.
Wolter's sixth-ball heroics produced a 397-380 match-play win over runner-up Allen McDougall.
Wolter collected $13,000 for the win. McDougall earned $8,000.
In semifinal matches, Wolter, the 2002 RE/MAX world champion, defeated
Alex DeVilling, an LD rookie competing in his first event, 385-377.
McDougall bested Tom Roskos, 390-OB.
Roskos posted the longest drive of the evening -- 410 yards -- in the
8-for-4 shootout that opened the evening's activities at Trophy Club
Country Club, where a crowd estimated at 1,000 gathered to watch
professional long drive's finest. Wolter was next in line with 409
yards.
Four of the eight competitors who survived elimination rounds at City
Pointe Driving Range failed to find the grid in the shootout. Headed to
the sidelines early in the evening were Jeff Gavin, Zac Adams, Jason
Frey and Jamie Sadlowski.
Sadlowski, the reigning RE/MAX world champion, had led the power parade
at City Pointe with 421 yards in Round 7 of the winner's bracket.
Semifinalists Roskos and DeVilling pocketed $4,500. It marked the fourth consecutive year Roskos cashed at the Texas tour event.
TEXAS SHOOTOUT RESULTS
8-FOR-4 Round (In Order of Hitting)
Alex DeVilling 391
Jeff Gavin OB
Allen McDougall 378
Zac Adams OB
Jason Frey OB
Tom Roskos 410
Carl Wolter 409
Jamie Sadlowski OB
SEMIS:
Allen McDougall (4) def. Tom Roskos (1), 390-OB
Carl Wolter (2) def. Alex DeVilling (3), 385-377
FINALS: Wolter (2) def. McDougall (4), 397-380
PRIZE MONEY
Carl Wolter $13,000
Allen McDougall 8,000
Tom Roskos 4,500
Alex DeVilling 4,500
Jeff Gavin 2,200
Zac Adams 2,200
Jason Frey 2,200
Jamie Sadlowski 2,200
Dallas Cowboy Rookie Gibbons Claims Celebrity Long Drive Title
Proceeds Benefit DFW Center for Autism
By Matt Samples
In
LDA's Celebrity Long Drive Charity Challenge preceding the Texas
Shootout finals, Dallas Cowboy rookie Ryan Gibbons defeated teammate
Mat McBriar and former MLB star Kenny Rogers in a hilarious
three-hitter final.
Gibbons, an offensive guard, proved that hitting the
golf ball deep is not limited to professional long drivers. With over
1,000 fans chanting for the deep ball, the big man with an ever-present
grin posted impressive yardages of 372, 377 and 381.
The Trophy Club CC crowd roared as LDA's Art
Sellinger presented the DFW Center for Autism in Grapevine with a
$5,000 check in Gibbons's name.
The celebrity event opened with a highly anticipated
grudge match between DFW radio personalities George "Jub Jub" Dunham
and Corby "Cobra" Davidson, both from Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket.
While Davidson filled the grid with balls at 283,
278, 268 and 294 yards, Dunham smoked his sixth and final ball 316
yards, igniting an impromptu victory dance.
Other
notables competing in the celebrity event were Dallas Cowboy Jon Kitna,
NFL legend Russell Maryland, former NFL punter Jeff Gossett, WFAA
sports anchor Joe Trahan and FSN’s DFW Sports Beat host Brady Tinker.
Grudge Match Results:
Corby Davidson 294
George Dunham 316
Celebrity Results:
Joe Trahan, 330
Brady Tinker, 310
Ryan Gibbons, 372
Jeff Gossett, 334
Mat McBriar, 361
Jon Kitna, 312
Kenny Rogers, 335
Russell Maryland, OB
Finals:
Rogers, 318
Mat McBriar, 371
Ryan Gibbons, 381
SADLOWSKI EARNS TOP SEED FOR
TEXAS SHOOTOUT FINALS
Eight long drivers, including reigning RE/MAX world champion Jamie Sadlowski, advanced to the finals of LDA’s 2009 Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of Lewisville during qualifying rounds at City Pointe Driving Range in Dallas on Thursday (June 4).
Sadlowski, who clocked a drive of 421 yards in Round 7, led a quartet advancing from the winner’s side of the bracket.
Joining Sadlowski in the Friday evening finale, which begins at 7 p.m. at Trophy Club CC and concludes with a match-play showdown at 9:30 p.m., were 2002 RE/MAX world champion Carl Wolter (416 yards in Round 7), Tom Roskos (406 yards) and Jason Frey (405 yards.)
Roskos uncorked the longest drive of the day -- 450 yards in Round 2. He also posted the second-best number -- 435 yards in Round 1.
Arriving at the final eight via the loser’s side of the bracket were Zac Adams and Allen McDougall, each of whom roasted 423-yard drives in Round 9. The two remaining spots were claimed by Jeff Gavin (414 yards) and Alex DeVilling (412) yards.
DeVilling, making his debut in long drive competition, created an immediate buzz.
Three of the competitors -- Sadlowski, McDougall and Roskos – each made the top eight at LDA’s 2008 Texas Shootout. Roskos, in fact, has now advanced to the Texas Shootout finals each of the past four years.
TEXAS SHOOTOUT OPEN DIVISION
TOP EIGHT QUALIFIERS:
Jamie Sadlowski 421 Rd. 7
Carl Wolter 416 Rd. 7
Tom Roskos 406 Rd. 7
Jason Frey 405 Rd. 7
Zac Adams 423 Rd. 9
Allen McDougall 423 Rd. 9
Jeff Gavin 414 Rd. 9
Alex DeVilling 412 Rd. 9
Earning exemptions to the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship: Roskos, Gavin, DeVilling.
Sawyer Captures Senior Title at 2009 Texas Shootout presented by Toyota of Lewisville
Kyle Sawyer continued his rapid ascent up the ranks of professional long drivers, winning the senior division of LDA's 2009 Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of Lewsville this morning (Wednesday) at City Pointe Driving Range in Dallas.
Competing in his first LDA tour event, Sawyer defeated LDA Hall of Fame member Bobby Wilson in the match-play finals, 339-0B.
Sawyer, a Bossier City, Louisiana, resident, won the Dallas regional at City Pointe last September in his first-ever LD competition, then subsequently posted a top-eight finish at the 2008 RE/MAX world finals.
He returned to Dallas with the same entourage (wife Renee' and son Chase) and cashed in the good vibes engendered by being back at City Pointe.
Wilson, taking dead aim at a record 12th LDA title, posted the longest drive of the morning (354 yards) in the semifinals. But a rare out-of-play final set for the Waco native, who won the Texas Shootout senior division title in 2006, sealed his fate.
TEXAS SHOOTOUT SENIOR DIVISION MATCH-PLAY RESULTS
Semifinals:
Bobby Wilson (1), North Little Rock, Arkansas, def. Jackie Sholar (4), Gracey, Kentucky, 354-325
Kyle Sawyer (3), Bossier City, Louisiana, def. Sean Fister (2), Little Rock, Arkansas, 347-0B
Finals:
Sawyer (3) def. Wilson (1), 339-OB
Prize Money:
Sawyer, $4,000
Wilson, $2,000
Fister, $1,125
Scholar $1,125
Exemption to the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship:
James Mattingly, Frisco, Texas
NOTE: OPEN DIVISION ELIMINATION ROUNDS BEGIN 9 AM THURSDAY (6/4) AT CITY POINTE DRIVING RANGE.
MATCH-PLAY FINALS FRIDAY NIGHT (6/5) AT TROPHY CLUB COUNTRY CLUB.
MILITARY LONG DRIVE FINALS AGAIN PART OF RE/MAX CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK IN MESQUITE
7UP RETURNS AS PRESENTING SPONSOR
ROANOKE, TEXAS (June 2, 2009) – For the third consecutive year, the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship will feature a long drive contest for military golfers and dependents, Long Drivers of America (LDA) announced today.
Winners of 20 qualifying events associated with the 2009 Military Long Drive Championship will assemble in Mesquite, Nevada to compete on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for a $10,000 first prize and bragging rights as the longest hitter in uniform.
Coast Guard Ensign Ryan Hixson, who recently completed Officer Candidate School in New London, Connecticut, is the two-time defending military champion.
The 2009 Military Long Drive Championship, organized and administered by the U.S. Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Command, is open to all active duty service members and their dependents 18 and over, plus Reserves, National Guard members and military retirees.
7Up, a popular Dr Pepper Snapple Group brand, will again be presenting sponsor for the event.
Qualifying rounds for the 2009 Military Long Drive Championship will take place this summer at 20 armed forces installations –- 17 in the United States and 3 overseas.
Qualifying sites and dates (Saturdays, unless otherwise noted) for the 17 U.S. qualifiers are:
Fort Benning, Georgia August 24 (Monday)
Fort Bragg, North Carolina September 19
Fort Campbell, Kentucky August 22
Fort Dix, New Jersey August 22
Fort Jackson, South Carolina August 8
Fort Lee, Virginia September 12
Fort McPherson, Georgia August 15
Fort Belvoir, Virginia TBD
Fort Bliss, Texas August 21 (Friday)
Fort Carson, Colorado August 15
Fort Hood, Texas August 22
Fort Huachuca, Arizona TBD
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri August 15
Fort Lewis, Washington August 28 (Friday)
Fort Sill, Oklahoma August 24 (Monday)
NAS North Island, California August 6 (Thursday)
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii August 9 (Sunday)
The three overseas qualifying sites are:
Heidelberg, Germany August 8
Camp Zama, Japan August 15
Yongsan, Korea TBD
For complete information on rules and regulations for the 2009 Military Long Drive Championship Presented by 7UP browse www.armymwrgolf.com or www.longdrivers.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristen Kea (703) 428-6119 or
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547
LONG DRIVE LEGEND SEAN “THE BEAST” FISTER FORMS OWN GOLF COMPANY
FISTER GOLF WILL DEBUT THE ‘PUNISHER’ DRIVER AT UPCOMING LDA TEXAS SHOOTOUT
ROANOKE, TEXAS (May 29, 2009) – Three-time RE/MAX world long drive champion and Long Drivers of America (LDA) Hall of Fame member Sean “The Beast” Fister has begun designing and marketing drivers through a new venture, Fister Golf Co.
Fister Golf’s first offering is the Punisher 450 Pro LD driver. With a retail price of $399 (and a pre-order special of $349), the driver features the Punisher 450 head assembled with a black-and-white Pro LD shaft in XX and XXX made exclusively for Fister Golf by UST.
Fister Golf is also selling the the Punisher 450 Pro LD head by itself for $329, with a pre-order special price of $279.
The Little Rock-based company envisions expanding its product line to junior golf clubs and training aids, but for now its focus is solely on creating high-performance drivers.
“Basically, our aim is to provide a high standard of quality and design at a fair price,” said Fister, who, along with another elite LDA hitter, 2008 Desert Duel winner Brooks Baldwin, will debut the Punisher head at LDA’s upcoming Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of Lewisville, scheduled for June 3-5 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Fister, a Little Rock resident, won his RE/MAX world championships in 1995, 2001 and 2005. He was elected to the LDA Hall of Fame in 2002.
He becomes the first long drive world champion and LDA Hall of Famer to enter the golf club design business.
To learn more about the Punisher 450 Pro LD driver, as well as Fister Golf, visit www.longdriving.com.
TRACKMAN™ TO PROVIDE DATA, GRAPHICS AT RE/MAX WLDC FINALS
ROANOKE, TEXAS (May 26, 2009) – Long Drivers of America (LDA) announced today that Trackman™ will provide swing and ball flight data at the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.
“This is another step forward in the evolution of the RE/MAX world finals,” said LDA chief executive officer Art Sellinger. “To have Trackman™ technology involved will not only enhance ESPN’s telecast of the 2009 finals, it will provide spectators and competitors at Mesquite Regional Sports and Events Complex with immediate and meaningful data on competitors’ swings and six-ball sets.”
The 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, concludes in Mesquite, Nevada on October 25-30. ESPN’s 90-minute finals telecast will debut during the Christmas holidays (date and time TBA).
Trackman™ has added a dramatic new dimension to televised golf coverage, providing real-time data on club speed, ball speed and spin rates and using superimposed 3D graphics to show ball flight and trajectory.
Trackman™ technology has been seen on telecasts of the U.S. Open and British Open, and on numerous PGA Tour broadcasts through the company’s ongoing partnership with Golf Channel.
Sellinger added: “We welcome Trackman™ to the world of power golf and look forward to adding its technology to the mix at the RE/MAX world finals. Having Trackman™ document the incredible swing speeds and ball speeds that RE/MAX world champions like Jamie Sadlowski and Jason Zuback register is going to move the needle. When ESPN’s telecast airs here and worldwide, and viewers grasp the Trackman™ numbers that elite long drivers generate, this sport will move to the next level.”
To learn more about Long Drivers of America, browse www.longdrivers.com; to learn more about Trackman™, browse www.trackmangolf.com.
ELITE LONG DRIVERS HEADED TO D/FW AREA FOR LDA’S 2009 TEXAS SHOOTOUT
Toyota of Lewisville is Presenting Sponsor; DFW Center for Autism in Grapevine is Tournament’s Designated Charity
ROANOKE, TEXAS (May 14, 2009) - The best of the best in professional long drive, including the two
most recent RE/MAX world champions - Canadian Jamie Sadlowski (2008)
and Las Vegas resident Mike Dobbyn (2007) - are coming to the
Dallas/Fort Worth area on June 3-5 for LDA’s 2009 Texas Shootout
Presented by Toyota of Lewisville.
The Texas Shootout open division champion will pocket $13,000 from
a total purse of $55,000. Mitch McDowell (Scottsdale, Ariz.) captured
the 2008 event.
The top eight open division qualifiers will go head-to-head in
match play rounds at Trophy Club CC (west of D/FW International Airport
on Highway 114) on Friday evening, June 5. The open division finals,
which take place under the lights, are projected for a 9:30 p.m.
conclusion.
A celebrity long drive competition, featuring former Texas Rangers
pitcher Kenny Rogers, members of the Dallas Cowboys and sports media
personalities including Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket’s George Dunham,
emcee for the evening, launches the entertainment at 7 p.m.; preceding
the celebrity competition from 5-7 p.m. will be an Adams Golf Demo Day
on the Trophy Club CC driving range.
Admission is free. Proceeds from a pro-am tournament, silent
auction and on-site raffle at Trophy Club CC will benefit DFW Center
for Autism in Grapevine.
Competition in LDA’s 2009 Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of
Lewisville begins on Wednesday morning, June 3, at City Pointe Driving
Range in Dallas. Senior division elimination rounds start at 9 a.m.,
with match-play finals projected at 11:00 a.m.
Among a field of 12 senior competitors are two legends of the
sport, LDA Hall of Fame members Sean “The Beast” Fister and Bobby
Wilson.
Open division elimination rounds begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June
4 at City Pointe Driving Range. In addition to Sadlowski and Dobbyn,
other notables in the field are Derek Hines and Landon Colling (who
tied for third at the 2008 RE/MAX world championship), Carl Wolter
(2002 RE/MAX world champion) and Fred Groth (2007 Texas Shootout
winner).
Texans in the field include open division hitters Nyle Pruitt
(Dallas), Mat Vilade (Hideaway), Phil Sanchez (Houston), and Herman
McCoury (San Saba) - plus senior division competitor James Mattingly
(Frisco).
The complete schedule of events for 2009 Texas Shooutout Presented by Toyota of Lewisville:
Wednesday, June 3
City Pointe Driving Range, Dallas (9a to 11a approx.)
Senior Division Elimination Rounds
Senior Division Match-Play Finals
Thursday, June 4
City Pointe, Driving Range, Dallas (9a to 5:30p)
Open Division Elmination Rounds
Friday, June 5
Trophy Club Country Club, Trophy Club
Adams Golf Demo Day (5-7p)
Celebrity Long Drive Competition (7p)
LDA Trick Shot Exhibition
Open Division Quarters, Semis, Finals
(NOTE: FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS.)
Kelly Tilghman and friends brings golf to U.S. troops in Middle East on GOLF CHANNEL special
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 7,2009) - In a one-of-a-kind production that
chronicles Kelly Tilghman's visit to Iraq and Kuwait, GOLF CHANNEL will
reveal how through golf, U.S. troops enjoyed an entertaining taste of
home while providing Tilghman and her companions a life-changing
experience.
Airing May 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET, Operation Links will chronicle
Tilghman's journey of discovery, understanding and gratitude during the
USO Tour. Joining her on the journey, which was filmed over the 2008
Thanksgiving holiday, were CBS Sports' David Feherty, PGA TOUR winners
Howard Twitty and Donnie Hammond, long drive champions Art Sellinger
and Brian Pavlet and award-winning illustrator Victor Juhasz.
"It was an honor to spend the holidays with the men and women who risk
their lives every day to protect our freedom," said Tilghman, the
daughter of a Vietnam veteran.
Operation Links will document the tour's mission, which delivered a
touch of home and boosted morale in the war-torn region. Visiting more
than a dozen military installations and hospitals in Kuwait and Iraq,
the group hit golf balls with the troops, conducted entertaining
clinics and shared both light-hearted and moving golf stories.
"These are the most professional, most incredible people I have ever
been around," said Feherty, who was making his second Operation Links
USO Tour. "Of all of the things I have done in sports and broadcasting,
nothing has given me a greater sense of satisfaction."
For additional information contact Jeremy Friedman, GOLF CHANNEL Public Relations at 407-355-4058, or jfriedman@golfchannel.com
http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/browse/58550-Kelly-Tilghman-and-friends-brings-golf-US-troops-Middle-East-GOLF-CHANNEL-special
European Long Drive Championship
Monday 6th April 2009
We are thrilled to announce the venue for this years European Long Drive Finals will be Close House Country Club, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
The finals will take place on Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September 2009.
Close House is by far the best venue we have ever been to in all the years of running long drive events in Europe. The tee and grid are certainly the best ever and will rival anything available for previous RE/MAX World Finals at The Palms in Mesquite. The grid is wide, flat and smooth. There is also plenty of space round the tee for a large warm up driving range and hospitality facilities.
Close House is easily accessible, being only 15 minutes from Newcastle Airport and less than 5 miles from the A1 motorway. One of the largest shopping malls in Europe, The Metrocentre, is very close and the hotels and nightclubs of Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre are only 10 miles away.
See www.closehouse.co.uk/
Friday 11th will see a Last Chance competition for those players not qualified for the finals at a regional round. A Pro-am competition will be held for sponsors and supporters on the Friday afternoon followed by a player reception at the fantastic Close House Country Club. All players will be expected to attend the reception and play in the pro-am, if selected. (More details later.)
Saturday 12th will see the first qualifying rounds of the European Championship.
Sunday 13th will be the final knock-out rounds followed by the head-to-head final rounds and prize giving.
The staff and owners at Close House are very excited about the prospect of hosting the European Finals and we are looking forward to what will be a wonderful spectacle.
Long Drivers of Europe
RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPION WILL AGAIN POCKET $250,000 FIRST PRIZE IN 2009
CANADIAN STAR SADLOWSKI TO DEFEND TITLE
ROANOKE, TEXAS (March 20, 2009) – The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, which determines the longest-hitting golfer on the planet, will again pay $250,000 to the open division champion in 2009, Long Drivers of America (LDA) announced today.
Jamie Sadlowski, from St. Paul, Alberta, last year became the first long drive competitor to earn a quarter-million-dollar payday. The Canadian sensation captured the 2008 RE/MAX world championship with a record-setting drive in the finals of 418 yards.
The total purse for the 2009 RE/MAX championship will be $550,000.
Qualifying for the 2009 RE/MAX WLDC began earlier this month and will continue over the next seven months. RE/MAX championship week takes place on Oct. 25-30 in Mesquite, Nevada.
ESPN will debut a 90-minute telecast from the 2009 RE/MAX world finals during the Christmas holidays.
For more information about the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including a schedule of qualifying dates and sites, browse www.longdrivers.com.
FIELD ADJUSTED FOR 2009 RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
EXEMPTIONS WILL BE AWARDED AT TEXAS SHOOTOUT IN DALLAS, JUNE 3-5
ROANOKE, TEXAS (March 18, 2009) – Long Drivers of America (LDA) today
announced an adjustment to the size of the field for the finals of the
2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power
golf.
The senior division, for competitors 45 and up, will consist of 64
finalists, 10 more than the previously announced 54. The super senior
division, for competitors 53 and up, will consist of 48 finalists, 12
more than the previously announced 36.
“This is the fifteenth year for the RE/MAX world finals. Many
competitors who started with us in the
open division subsequently
graduated to the senior division and now have become super seniors,”
said Art Sellinger, LDA’s owner and chief executive officer. “The level
of competition in these two divisions warrants the increases to the
field.”
The RE/MAX open division field, as previously announced, will consist of 144 finalists.
A total of four exemptions to the 2009 RE/MAX world finals –- three
open and one senior -- will be awarded at LDA’s upcoming Texas Shootout
Presented by Toyota of Lewisville, set for June 3-5 in Dallas.
Registration for the Texas Shootout is open at (888) 233-4654 or (682)
549-2105.
The 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, for which local
qualifying is underway, concludes on October 25-30 in Mesquite, Nevada.
The 2009 RE/MAX WLDC purse will be $550,000. The open division
champion, widely recognized as the longest hitter in golf, will earn
$250,000.
Reigning RE/MAX world champions are Canadian Jamie Sadlowski (open
division) and Americans Dan Boever (senior) and Mike Gorton (super
senior).
ESPN annually televises highlights of the RE/MAX world championship during the Christmas season.
For more information about the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, including a schedule of qualifying events, visit
www.longdrivers.com.
ELITE LONG DRIVERS RETURN TO D/FW AREA JUNE 3-5 FOR 2009 TEXAS SHOOTOUT
Toyota of Lewisville Is Presenting Sponsor
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Feb. 20, 2009) – Long Drivers of America today announced the schedule of events for LDA’s 2009 Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of Lewisville.
Qualifying and elimination rounds for the Texas Shootout open division will take place at City Pointe Driving Range in Dallas on Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4.
Open division championship finals will follow on Friday evening, June 5th, 7:00PM at Trophy Club CC in Trophy Club. Mitch McDowell of Scottsdale, Ariz., is defending Texas Shootout champion. McDowell edged Kevin Bullard (Cedartown, Ga.) in the 2008 match-play finals.
The elite field of Texas Shootout competitors is expected to include reigning RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion Jamie Sadlowski. The record-setting Sadlowski captured the 2006 RE/MAX junior world title at Trophy Club Country Club with a drive of 420 yards. That performance followed a mammoth 437-yard drive in the qualifying rounds.
The Texas Shootout senior division, for competitors 45 and up, features both elimination rounds and match-play finals at City Pointe Driving Range on Wednesday, June 3.
Toyota of Lewisville is presenting sponsor for LDA’s 2009 Texas Shootout. Other tournament sponsors include Dr Pepper/Snapple Group and RE/MAX of Texas.
A pro-am golf tournament, benefitting Texas Star Academy in Grapevine, Texas (DFW Center for Autism) and Children’s Miracle Network, is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, June 3 at the TPC-Las Colinas course at the Four Seasons Resort in Irving. Groups will have a chance to be paired with an elite long driver and tour the TPC course ten days after the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
For information on Texas Shootout pro-am participation contact Rene’ Towell at LDA headquarters (682) 549-2105.
Texas Shootout Registration
Registration for LDA’s 2009 Texas Shootout opens on Tuesday, March 10. Registration closes at 5 p.m. CDT on Friday, April, 24.
Entry fees are $600 per player for both open and senior division competitors. Based on a full field of 48 open and 16 senior competitors, the Texas Shootout purse will be $55,000.
All Texas Shootout competitors must have current LDA memberships.
Top Texas Shootout finishers earn entry into the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals, set for Oct. 25-30 at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nev.
Texas Two-Step
LDA will also conduct a special RE/MAX WLDC qualifier, the Texas Two-Step, at City Pointe Driving Range in Dallas on June 6-7. At stake will be spots in the world finals in all three RE/MAX divisions: open, senior (45+) and super senior (53+).
Qualifying rounds take place on Saturday, June 6. Entry fees are $40 per try.
Texas Two-Step finals are scheduled for Sunday, June 7. Entry fees for the finals will be $75 for LDA members and $150 for nonmembers.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547 or
rrprsp@airmail.net
RE/MAX EXTENDS WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORSHIP THROUGH 2012
2009 QUALIFYING BEGINS MARCH 5-7 IN MESQUITE
ROANOKE, TEXAS (February 17, 2009) – Long Drivers of America (LDA) today announced that Denver-based RE/MAX International has extended its title sponsorship of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship for an additional three years. The agreement now extends through 2012.
RE/MAX, the global real estate network, has been title sponsor of power golf’s premier event since 1995.
Qualifying for the 2009 RE/MAX championship begins with LDA’s Diamond in the Desert Classic on March 5-7 at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nev. After seven months of local and regional qualifying events worldwide, RE/MAX championship week unfolds in Mesquite on October 25-30.
“RE/MAX International has been a remarkable partner and ally for the past 15 years,” said Art Sellinger, LDA’s owner and chief executive officer. “With the support of RE/MAX executives and with contributions from RE/MAX professionals globally, we have been able to create a flagship event for the sport of long drive, a championship with worldwide participation and exposure. It’s been an exciting ride for the past decade and a half, and we’re looking forward to what years 16, 17 and 18 have in store.”
“We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to help long drive become a worldwide competition with thousands of participants,” RE/MAX International Senior Vice President Mike Reagan said. “Being involved with athletes at the top of their profession is a natural for our network, because our agents are also at the top of their profession.”
The 2009 RE/MAX WLDC purse will be $550,000. The open division champion, widely recognized as the longest hitter in golf, will earn $250,000.
The field for the 2009 RE/MAX world finals in Mesquite will consist of 144 open division hitters, 54 senior division (45-up) competitors and 36 super senior (53-up) competitors.
Reigning RE/MAX world champions are Canadian Jamie Sadlowski (open division) and Americans Dan Boever (senior) and Mike Gorton (super senior).
ESPN annually televises highlights of the RE/MAX world championship during the Christmas season.
“We are coming off the best, most successful finals week in RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship history, and we’re determined to build on that momentum in 2009 and beyond,” Sellinger added.
Complete information about the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship is available at www.longdrivers.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547 or
rrprsp@airmail.net
CANADA QUALIFYING ANNOUNCEMENT
LDA has decided to forgo staging any qualifying events (local or regional) for the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship in Canada.
Instead, LDA will conduct a special “Canada Day” modified double elimination qualifying tournament at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada on Friday, October 23.
To be eligible, “Canada Day” competitors must either be current residents of Canada or have Canadian citizenship.
Top “Canada Day” finishers will earn spots in the field for the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals, which begin in Mesquite on Sunday, October 25 and conclude on Friday, October 30.
Canadians are, of course, invited to compete in 2009 RE/MAX WLDC local and regional qualifying events in the United States, as they have for many years.
Canadians can also earn exemptions to the 2009 RE/MAX WLDC finals at LDA’s upcoming Diamond in the Desert Classic (March 5-7) in Mesquite, or at the Texas Shootout (June 3-5) and Texas Two-Step (June 6-7) in Dallas.
“Canada Day” entry fees will be announced in the near future. Registration opens on Monday, August 3 and closes on Monday, September 14.
The number of RE/MAX WLDC spots available at the “Canada Day” qualifying tournament will be determined by the amount of entries in each of the three RE/MAX WLDC divisions: open, senior, super senior.
LDA PARTS WAYS WITH CANADIAN LONG DRIVE ENTITY
PLANS FOR 2009 RE/MAX WLDC QUALIFYING IN CANADA PENDING
ROANOKE, TEXAS (Jan. 28, 2009) - Long Drivers of America (LDA)
announced today the termination of its relationship with Canadian
franchisee Long Drivers of Canada Inc.
LDA will reassume responsibility for conducting qualifying events for
Canadian long drivers associated with the RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, the premier event in power golf.
"We are currently exploring several options for how to proceed with
Canadian qualifying for the 2009 RE/MAX world finals," said Art
Sellinger, LDA's chief executive officer. "We hope to have a plan in
place by early April at the latest."
Sellinger added: "With the likes of Jason Zuback, Ted Fostey, Jamie
Sadlowski and others, Canadians have played a major role in the
evolution of long drive. Canada's deep and talented contingent at the
world finals each fall is vital to the mix."
Sadlowski, a resident of St. Paul, Alberta, is the reigning RE/MAX
world champion. The 20-year-old phenom set a RE/MAX finals record of
418 yards (eclipsing Zuback's 1997 standard of 412+ yards) at the 2008
finals at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
"We regret the relationship with Long Drivers of Canada did not develop
sufficiently to warrant moving forward with previous plans for that
franchise," said Sellinger. "It's time to head in a new direction."
REIGNING RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPION JAMIE SADLOWSKI JOINS ADAMS GOLF STAFF
PLANO, TEXAS, January 21, 2009 - Jamie Sadlowski, the 20-year-old
phenom who stunned the golf world with a record-breaking 418 yard drive
to win the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, has joined the
Adams Golf Staff. Along with wearing the company's logo on his
headwear, shirt and golf bag, Sadlowski will play the new Speedline
Driver, which is aerodynamically engineered for more distance through
increased clubhead speed. He will also be featured in the company's
marketing campaigns and will participate in long drive exhibitions
around the world when he's not competing in long drive events.
"After multiple meetings and testing sessions with the Adams Golf
people, I found that I both liked them and trusted their technical
abilities to make product that will give me an edge," said Sadlowski,
who hails from Western Canada. "In particular I'm excited about the
technology behind the Speedline driver. In my business, it's all about
distance and I am convinced that the R&D team at Adams Golf
combined with the aerodynamic technology of the Speedline driver will
give me an advantage in long drive competition going forward."
Built differently than most of his counterparts in long drive
competition, Sadlowski stands at 5-foot 11-inches tall and weighs just
165 pounds. The key to his success is the incredible clubhead speed
generated by his double-lever swing, developed in part by his many
years as a junior hockey star in Canada. He won two RE/MAX World Long
Drive Junior Championships in 2005 and 2006 and holds two different
distance records from that time period of 437 and 420 yards. At last
year's RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, Sadlowski posted the
longest drive ever in a finals round of 418 yards.
"Jamie is an exceptional athlete and a fine young man and we're very
happy that he's representing our brand and playing our new products,"
said Chip Brewer, president and CEO of Adams Golf. "We're obviously
fond of hybrid clubs at Adams and when Jamie hit a ball out of the back
of a driving range, some 330 yards with a hybrid no less, we knew this
could be an interesting fit. He'll be a real asset for us, both as a
brand ambassador and a consultant on future driver development and
design."
Sadlowski headlines the seven member long drive team for Adams Golf.
2009 RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS ANNOUNCED
ROANOKE,
TEXAS (Jan. 14, 2009) - Former RE/MAX world champions Carl Wolter and
Clayton Burger headline a group of eleven long drivers awarded special
exemptions to the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Finals,
Long Drivers of America (LDA) announced today.
Wolter, from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, claimed long drive's most
prestigious title in 2002; Burger, from Houston, Texas, was the 2003
winner.
Exemptions for all divisions in the premier event in power golf are as follows:
Open Division:
Carl Wolter, Lehighton, PA
Clayton Burger, Houston, TX
Eric Lastowka, Hanover, MA
Adriaan Van Rensburg, Pretoria, South Africa
Mike Purvine, Oklahoma City, OK
Senior Division (45+):
Stew Kirkland, Centralia, IL
Vince Ciurluini, Los Angeles, CA
Super Senior (53+):
Mark Rodrigues, Newark, CA
Patrick Dempsey, Sunland, CA
John Kikes, Danville, CA
Rick Barry, Colorado Springs, CO
Long drivers will be competing for a total purse of $550,000 in 2009.
The event will take place from October 25th - 30th at Mesquite Regional
Park in Mesquite, Nevada. The open division champion will earn $250,000
for the win.
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 5-7, 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 5-7.
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:
Thursday, March 5 - Local qualifying (all divisions)
Friday, March 6 - Local qualifying (all divisions)
Saturday, March 7 - Open, Senior 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
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