LDA has assembled a sparkling field for its first professional long drive event of 2010.
Big hitters signed up for LDA’s Desert Launch on March 28 include three of the top eight hitters at last year’s RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals: Mick Yelovich, Zac Adams and Jeff Gavin.
Yelovich and Adams made the semifinals in 2009 by pounding out massive drives of 403 yards and 399 yards, respectively, during the RE/MAX WLDC quarterfinals last fall.
Gavin posted the sixth-best drive in the quarterfinals, 391 yards, but fell five yards short of advancing.
Also in the 44-man field for the 2010 Desert Launch at Mesquite Sports and Event Complex in scenic Mesquite, Nevada will be winners of LDA Tour events in the recent past.
The list begins with Gavin, the speed merchant from Mississauga, Ontario, who captured the 2009 Desert Duel in August for his first LDA title.
The list also includes a trio of tour winners from 2008 — Phoenix-area residents Allen McDougall and Mitch McDowell, and Little Rock resident Brooks Baldwin.
McDougall captured the Desert Launch, McDowell the Texas Shootout and Baldwin the Desert Duel during a memorable 2008 LDA campaign.
The 2010 Desert Launch’s portfolio of pounders also includes 2004 RE/MAX world champion David Mobley.
The Desert Launch follows immediately on the heels of the all-comers Diamond in the Desert Classic, which tees off 2010 qualifying for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship powered by Dick’s Sporting Goods, the premier event in power golf.
The Diamond in the Desert Classic unfolds March 25-27 on the world championship grid in Mesquite and features qualifying in both the open and senior (45+) divisions.
Long drivers seeking to punch their ticket to the 2010 RE/MAX finals can find out more about the DDC at www.longdrivers.com or by calling LDA headquarters (888) 233-4654.
Top finishers in both the Desert Launch and Diamond in the Desert Classic earn exemptions to the big show next fall.
The Dude ’s been spending an inordinate amount of time watching golf on TV lately, unlike some people who have been absorbed by curling and the halfpipe.
Every time Golf Channel or one of the networks pulls away from the live action at Riviera or Pebble Beach or the Accenture world match-play event, The Dude grabs the remotecontrol to do some channel surfing for 150 seconds or so.
But before The Dude can click it, the image of RE/MAX world long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski shows up on the screen and stops me cold.
The Dude watches in silent awe as the kid from Canada uncoils his amazing, uncanny, double-levered golf swing. The action that routinely peels off four bills (400 yards for you first-timers).
Take a close look at the controlled fury of that swing and you’ll realize why this phenom from the Great White North has already won four RE/MAX world championships (two as a junior, two as an adult). And why he’ll be adding to his trophy collection for years to come.
Now The Dude knows why Jamie Sadlowski is known in long drive circles as “The Silencer”; it’s hard to make noise — or utter any sound, period– when your jaw has just dropped to the floor.
Which has been happening with regularity. The Dude keeps clamming up because Sadlowski keeps showing up. In fact, he’s been getting as much air time as the late, great Billy Mays.
Wham, there’s Jamie appearing in TV spots for the Adams Golf driver. Bam, there’s Jamie appearing in spots for Slazenger Raw Distance balls.
The Dude doesn’t know what’s on the endorsement horizon for The Silencer, but, believe me, I plan to stay tuned….
Happy Thanksgiving.
We are moving bases today to visit more troops. Again, our location is classified and must be kept secret.
We are trying to get to see as many troops as possible. We will be breaking bread with them on this special day. I will probably eat a lot of turkey, so I’d better pace myself (haha).
We have already been to the Victory over America Palace and the Victory over Iran Palace. One of the ballrooms had the exact measurements of a football field. Saddam did not have a victory in either of these, but he had the palaces built to fool his people.
I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and love on your family, and also love the freedom you have to do so daily.
Bobby’s trivia question #4: Corey Pavin has played in three Ryder Cups. In what year was Raymond Floyd his partner and how old was Raymond at that time?
Answer to Bobby’s trivia question #3: Tim Simpson has 66 top tens on the PGA Tour.
Today started with a Commander’s call. The briefing was about the U.S. mission in Iraq and the importance of finishing this mission.
Please continue our support here by being a loud voice in your realm of influence. The soldiers know passionately why they are here. They embrace the mission like a long driver embraces a tailwind blowing straight down the grid.
Tom, Corey and Tim gave lessons today while Dan and I hit drivers and trick shots. The troops were able to hit a few balls also. Morale was up!
I prayed with a soldier today and afterward he gave me a coin that he has carried with him for the past three years. Imagine my emotions after that!
The men and women of our armed forces give it all 24/7. I’ll leave this blog at that.
Bobby’s trivia question #3: How many top 10 finishes does Tim Simpson have on the PGA Tour? (Hint: The number is between 60 and 70.)
Answer to Bobby’s trivia question #2: Corey Pavin was a 19-year-old amateur when he qualified for the 1979 LA Open at Riviera.
