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Keep current with all the latest developments in the long drive arena - news reports, press releases, tournament updates. All the important deets appear here.
For long drive commentary, choose between the considered opinions of Deep Thoughts, off-the-wall lunacy of Short Strokes and the "tell it like it is" comments of Straight Talk. There's something for every taste.
CURRENT NEWS (18 Total)
BALDWIN CAPTURES DESERT DUEL CROWN
Ever since Brooks Baldwin burst on the long drive scene in 2005,
winning the Alpha Long Drive Classic in Iowa in his first LDA start,
power golf fans have been waiting for the man from Mississippi called
"Big Country" to add to this trophy collection.
The wait is over.
Baldwin captured his second career title at LDA's 2008 Desert Duel in
Mesquite today, dispatching Canadian sensation Jamie Sadlowski in the
match-play finals, 402-OB.
The runner-up to Mike Dobbyn at the 2007 RE/MAX finals, Baldwin again
showed an affinity for the grid at the Palms GC in Mesquite, Nevada. He
stayed on the winner's side of the bracket throughout the elimination
rounds, then took down Tom Roskos in the quarterfinals (377-371) and
Trevor Consavage in the semifinals (418-380), setting up a showdown
with Sadlowski.
Sadlowski, less than a month short of turning 20, reeled off a series
of sizzling sets: 409 in Round 1, 399 in Round 2, 399 in Round 5. 405
in Round 7, 419 in the quarterfinals and 436 (!) in the semifinals.
But Sadlowski failed to find the grid in the championship match and
Baldwin, who had posted the third longest drive of the tournament in
the semifinals, peeled off four bills to seal the deal.
Baldwin pocketed $11,000 for the win, while Sadlowski took home $5,000.
"The Desert Duel was very competitive and exciting, everything you
would expect when the world's longest hitters get together," noted LDA
chief executive officer Art Sellinger. "Many of the guys were at the
top of the game, or near the top. Based on what we witnessed here
there's no doubt they will put on an incredible show at the RE/MAX
world finals this fall."
For many in the sport, including two-time winner Brooks Baldwin, RE/MAX
championship week in October can't come soon enough. Especially when
the open division champion will take home $250,000.
Expect to see many of the Desert Duel standouts in the hunt for the record RE/MAX WLDC first prize.
MATCH-PLAY RESULTS
Quarterfinals:
Jamie Sadlowski (1) def. Jesse Pettersen (8), 419-396
Tyler Kellett (5) def. Fred Groth (4), 342-OB
Brooks Baldwin (3) def. Tom Roskos (6), 377-371
Trevor Consavage (2) def. Kevin Bullard (7), 383-377
Semis:
Sadlowski def. Kellett, 436-391
Baldwin def. Consavage, 418-380
Finals:
Baldwin def. Sadlowski, 402-0B
OPEN DIVISION PRIZE MONEY
Baldwin $11,000
Sadlowski $5,000
Kellett $3,000
Consavage $3,000
Pettersen $2,000
Groth $2,000
Roskos $2,000
Bullard $2,000
Winning $1,000 for places 9-12 were the following:
Jeff Farley
Jeff Gavin
Allen McDougall
Steve Monroe
Group One Longest Drives (Rounds 1-4):
Carl Wolter, 378 (Round 4)
Jeff Farley, 374 (Round 2)
Brooks Baldwin, 372 (Round 2)
Allen McDougall, 372 (Round 4)
Jeremy Holley, 370 (Round 4)
Group Two Longest Drives (Rounds1-4):
Kevin Bullard, 394 (Round 4)
Dustin Merrill, 387 (Round 1)
Jerimie Montgomery, 387 (Round 1)
Kevin Bullard, 384 (Round 3)
Kevin Blenkhorn, 380 (Round 3)
Group Three Longest Drives (Rounds 1-4):
Jamie Sadlowski, 409 (Round 1)
Trevor Consavage, 404 (Round 1
Jeff Gavin, 400 (Round 2)
Jamie Sadlowski, 399 (Round 2)
Tom Roskos, 399 (Round 3)
Longest Drives Rounds 5-8:
Jamie Sadlowski, 405 (Round 7)
Tyler Kellett, 405 (Round 8)
Jamie Sadlowski, 399 (Round 5)
Tom Roskos, 398 (Round 6)
Fred Groth, 397 (Round 5)
Longest Drives in Match Play:
Jamie Sadlowski, 436 (Semis)
Jamie Sadlowski, 419 (Quarters)
Brooks Baldwin, 418 (Semis)
Brooks Baldwin, 402 (Finals)
Jesse Pettersen, 396 (Quarters)
Lawless, Scardina Tops at Desert Duel
To be
the best you have to beat the best, and today at LDA's 2008 Desert Duel
in Mesquite both Lana Lawless and Dan Scardina did.
Not only did the Desert Duel champions capture their first LDA Tour
title, but in the process each defeated a reigning RE/MAX world long
drive champion.
First Lawless clipped Sheila Kelliher in the women's division final,
291-289. Then Scardina stopped Frank Miller in the senior division
final, 353-336.
Lawless, who narrowly lost to Kelliher in the semifinals at the 2007
worlds, turned the tables this time. She breezed through the winner's
bracket, posting several of the day's top drives, including a
division-best 296 in Round 2.
Kelliher dropped into the consolation bracket after Round 1 but stayed
alive and won a shootout in Round 6 against Lisa Vlooswyk and an ailing
Leanne Quinn, who was forced to withdraw, to advance to the match-play
final.
The competition marked the first for women at a tour event since the 2004 LDA Tour Championship in Williamsburg.
Scardina took the scenic route to the finals. He dropped into the
consolation bracket after Round 1, then posted the longest drives in
Rounds 3 and 4 before finishing second to Kentucky sharpshooter Jackie
Sholar in Round 6.
Scardina took down top-seed Lance Reader in the semifinals, 362-329,
before facing Miller, who posted the long drive of the day in
eliminating Sholar, 375-336.
Miller had won the senior crown at the previous two 2008 tour events -- the Desert Launch and RE/MAX of Texas Shootout.
On the basis reaching Round 6 in the competition, Charlie Thomas and
Greg Kyte received exemptions to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship finals.
In the women's division, Lisa Vlooswyk received an exemption to the regional finals of her choice.
FOR COMPLETE RESULT CLICK HERE
2007-08 EXCEPTIONAL DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP
DAY THREE RECAP FOR
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Casey
Fowles and Frank Hartwick II secured the top two seeds for Saturday
evening’s match-play finals at the 2007-08 Exceptional Driver
Championship Presented by Golf Mesquite Nevada.
Along
with six other finalists, they will compete for a $100,000 payoff in
Long Drivers of America’s accurate driving contest for amateur golfers.
Fowles
(Washington, Utah) and Hartwick (Irving, Texas) led the Friday scoring
parade at the Palms GC in Round 7, posting 55 and 42 points,
respectively.
At
the other end of the spectrum after a shootout of the top 20 qualifiers
were Justin Linington (Fort Collins, Colorado) and David Ladner (Port
St. Lucie, Florida), who landed the final two seeds via wildcard.
Ladner
survived a three-way playoff with Bobby Andrews and Daniel Eskew to
become the eighth seed. He will square off against Fowles in the
opening quarterfinals match on Saturday night. Lingington will face
Hartwick in the co-feature.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET:
Casey Fowles (1), Washington, Utah, vs. David Ladner (8), Port St. Lucie, Florida;
David Dover (4), Gig Harbor, Washington, vs. Dalen DeMary (5), Gilbert, Arizona;
Rick Dimick (3), Eagle Point, Oregon, vs. Daniel Diaz-Granados (6), Houston, Texas;
Justin Lingington (7) Fort Collins vs. Frank Hartwick II (2), Irving, Texas.
Saturday
evening’s festivities at the Palms GC begin at 5:30 p.m. with an Adams
Golf Demo Day, featuring the new Insight Prototype 9015D and 9016D
drivers available exclusively through Sellinger’s Power Golf.
A
junior Exceptional Driver Championship challenge, featuring junior
golfers from the Mesquite area, follows at 6:30 p.m., while at 7 p.m.
some lucky EDC fan will be selected from the gallery to take one swing
for a potential $100,000 windfall in Golf Mesquite Nevada’s “Drive of a
Lifetime” promotion.
The
EDC finals, being taped by the Golf Channel for an August 28 premiere,
get underway at 7:15 p.m. The last man standing will walk away with
$100,000 and the title “Most Exceptional Driver of the Ball in North
America.”
Admission is free to all events.
FRIDAY EDC LEADERBOARD
Top Two-Set Scores:
Justin James, 108 (Rounds 5-6)
Dalen DeMary, 107 (Rounds 5-6)
Daniel Diaz-Granados, 94 (Rounds 5-6)
Jeff Stewart, 82 (Rounds 5-6)
Casey Fowles, 74 (Rounds 5-6)
Paul Koszarek, 73 (Rounds 5-6)
Daniel Eskew, 71 (Rounds 5-6)
Top Set Scores:
Dalen DeMary, 73 (Round 6)
Daniel Diaz Granados, 72 (Round 5)
Justin James, 72 (Round 6)
Vincent Johnson, 50 (Round 6)
Matt Hangar, 50 (Round 5)
MATCH-PLAY FINALISTS WITH ROUND 7 TOTALS
Casey Fowles (1), 55
Frank Hartwick (2), 42
Rick Dimick (3), 40
David Dover (4), 39
Dalen DeMary (5), 38
Daniel Diaz-Granados (6), 37
Justin Lingington (7), 33
David Ladner (8), 27 (Won playoff for final seed)
Hicks Sports Marketing Group tees up Long Drivers of America
Agreement involves sponsorship sales for two power golf events and marketing for prototype drivers
(June 12, 2008-Dallas, Texas) Hicks Sports Marketing Group (HSMG)
announced today it has signed a marketing and sponsorship agreement
with Long Drivers of America. Roanoke, Texas based Long Drivers of
America (LDA) is the organizing and administrative body for the sport
of long drive. LDA conducts local, national and international
championships that provide an arena for the longest hitters of golf
balls to showcase their talents.
LDA conducts the annual RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship televised
on ESPN and the Exceptional Driver Championship broadcast on the Golf
Channel. Both events are strongly supported and hosted by Mesquite,
Nevada. Hicks Sports Marketing Group will assist LDA secure
sponsorships for the two power golf events.
"We are excited to have Brad Alberts and the Hicks Sports Marketing
Group team working on LDA's behalf with potential corporate partners,”
said Art Sellinger, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Long Drivers
of America. “Their experience and acumen in the sports marketing arena
will be invaluable to raising the profile of professional long drive
and elevating LDA's status among key constituencies," Sellinger added.
HSMG will also use signage at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to promote
and market the Adams XTD Insight prototype 9015D and the LDA exclusive
9016D drivers. Both are sold worldwide by Sellinger’s Power Golf, the
retail and e-tail arm of LDA. Signage will be located behind home
plate and in the outfield.
“Art Sellinger and his LDA team have created a very compelling golf
property in LDA,” said Brad Alberts, Executive Vice President of HSMG.
“We at HSMG are excited to work with Art and his LDA team as we
continue to expand our reach outside of our core properties,” Alberts
added.
Annual membership packages for Long Drivers of America are available at
the $100, $200 and $325 levels. Each package contains merchandise,
discounts and other benefits. For information, contact LDA toll free
at (888) 233-4654 or online at www.longdrivers.com.
About Hicks Sports Marketing Group:
Formed in July 2006, Hicks Sports Marketing Group represents
advertising sales for the Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, the Liverpool
Football Club and other Hicks-owned interests in sports, media and real
estate. In its new role as a full-service marketing agency, Hicks
Sports Marketing Group now represents a broad range of sports
properties throughout the United States and Europe. Hicks Sports
Marketing Group delivers a wealth of expertise in many facets of the
sports business: the selling and buying of advertising and
sponsorships, strategic branding and sports marketing for international
corporations.
2007-08 EXCEPTIONAL DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP
DAY TWO RECAP FOR
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Casey
Fowles racked up the top score in the winner’s bracket on Thursday as
the 2007-08 Exceptional Driver Championship Presented by Golf Mesquite
Nevada continued at the Palms GC in Mesquite, Nevada.
Fowles,
who hails from nearby Washington, Utah, led a group of 25 competitors
who will join a like number from Wednesday’s opening day for Friday
morning’s Round 5. Play begins at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
Eight
hitters will advance to Saturday, and the match-play portion of Long
Drivers of America’s accurate driving contest for amateur golfers.
The
last man standing Saturday evening will claim a $100,000
winner-take-all first prize and the title "Most Exceptional Driver of
the Golf Ball in North America."
Fowles, 23,
a +2 handicapper whose home course is Coral Canyon in St. George
(Utah), posted a two-set total of 96 points to capture Group N, the
last of the day. A total of 140 competitors, winners of regional
qualifying events across North America, qualified for the EDC finals.
Other
group winners on Thursday included Vincent Johnson (Group H, 80
points); Dave Gourno (Group B, 76 points); Jeff Underbrink (Group J, 59
points); Justin James (Group K, 67 points); Brad Habenicht (Group L, 69
points); Rick Dimick (Group M, 76 points).
The
Exceptional Driver Championship Presented by Golf Mesquite Nevada will
be taped by the Golf Channel for a premiere in late August.
Also
on tap for Friday’s card at the Palms GC is LDA’s 2008 Desert Duel, a
professional long drive event. Play in the women’s and senior divisions
will take place in the afternoon and early evening. Open division
hitters will be in action on Saturday.
THURSDAY EDC LEADERBOARD
TOP TWO-SET TOTALS:
Daniel Thogmartin, 111 (Round Three)
James Rankin, 98 (Round Three)
Casey Fowles, 96 (Round One)
Chris Sauer, 88 (Round Three)
Roger Bowen, 85 (Round Three)
A.J. Doherty, 84 (Round Three)
Greg Whittemore, 84 (Round Three)
Vincent Johnson, 80 (Round One)
Chris Powell, 79 (Round One)
Daniel Eskew, 78 (Round One)
Dave Gourno, 76 (Round One)
Rick Dimick, 76 (Round One)
James Nelson, 76 (Round Three)
Wayne Beck, 76 (Round Three)
Justin Linnington, 75 (Round One)
James Baker, 75 (Round One)
TOP ONE-SET TOTALS:
A.J. Doherty, 72 (First set, Round Three)
Danny Seman, 67 (First set, Round One)
Brett Hermann, 61 (First set, Round Three)
James Rankin, 60 (First set, Round Three)
Casey Fowles, 59 (First set, Round One)
Daniel Thogmartin, 59 (Second set, Round Three)
Roger Bowen, 57 (First set, Round Three)
Kevin Stewart, 55 (First set, Round Three)
Alex Theodore, 54 (First Set, Round Three)
Daniel Eskew, 53 (Second set, Round One)
James Nelson, 53 (Second set, Round Three)
Chris Powell, 52 (Second set, Round One)
Daniel Thogmartin, 52 (First set, Round Three)
Denny Kopko, 52 (First set, Round Three)
Wayne Beck, 48 (First set, Round Three)
Rick Dimick, 46 (First set, Round One)
Dave Gourno, 44 (Second set, Round One)
A.J. Doherty, 43 (Second set, Round One)
2007-08 EXCEPTIONAL DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP
DAY ONE RECAP FOR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
Paul Koszarek posted the highest scores on opening day of the
2007-08 Exceptional Driver Championship Presented by Golf Mesquite
Nevada.
Koszarek led a group of 25 competitors who remain in the running
for the $100,000 winner-take-all first prize in Long Drivers of
America’s accurate driving contest for amateur golfers.
Koszarek, a geotechnical engineer from Waterford, Wisconsin, who
boasts a +1.3 handicap index, had the day’s best two-set total of 107
points. That captured Group C and moved him into Round 5 on Friday
morning at the Palms GC in Mesquite.
Other group winners on Wednesday included Jeff Stewart (Group A, 59
points); Lee Marels (Group B, 70 points); Brandon Reeves (Group D, 80
points); John Kandaris (Group E, 66 points); Kyle Elliott (Group F, 77
points)and Melvin Guary (Group G, 82 points).
The second half of the EDC field – another 70 winners of EDC local
qualifying events conducted across North America – undergo elimination
rounds on Thursday at the Palms GC.
Fifty hitters who advance to Round 5 will face off beginning on
Friday morning, with the top eight earning a spot in the match-play
rounds on Saturday evening.
The Exceptional Driver Championship Presented by Golf Mesquite,
Nevada will be taped by the Golf Channel for a premiere showing in late
August.
Conditions at the Palms GC on Wednesday were firm and fast, with
drives gaining 15-25 yards of distance as Pinnacle balls rolled out.
Expect more of the same on Thursday as temperatures climb into the
triple digits.
WEDNESDAY LEADERBOARD
TOP TWO-SET TOTALS:
Paul Koszarek, 107 (Round One)
Kyle Kraemer, 92 (Round Three)
Jason Gunning, 91 (Round Three)
Mike Tominc, 90 (Round Three)
Bobby Andrews, 88 (Round Three)
Mike Walker, 85 (Round Three)
Melvin Guary, 82 (Round One)
Brandon Reeves, 80 (Round One)
TOP ONE-SET TOTALS:
Paul Koszarek, 67 (First set, Round One)
Mike Tominc, 64 (First set, Round Three)
Keith Garvine, 56 (First set, Round Three)
Nathan Sanders, 55 (First set, Round Three)
Kyle Kraemer, 54 (First set, Round Three)
Bobby Andrews, 52 (First set, Round Three)
David Dover, 51 (Second set, Round One)
Jason Gunning, 51 (First set, Round Three)
AMATEUR GOLFERS TAKE A SHOT AT $100K
LDA'S EXCEPTIONAL DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS SET FOR SCENIC MESQUITE, NEVADA
ROANOKE, TEXAS (June 5, 2008) - A quest by Roanoke-based Long Drivers
of America (LDA) to determine the best amateur driver in North America
comes to an end next week, when the 2007-08 Exceptional Driver
Championship Presented by Golf Mesquite Nevada unfolds.
Some 140 Exceptional Driver Championship contestants, winners of
qualifying events across North America, will tee it up at the Palms GC
in Mesquite beginning on Wednesday, June 11.
Match-play rounds involving the top eight qualifiers will take place on
Saturday evening (June 14). The EDC finals will be taped by the Golf
Channel for a premiere showing in late August.
The 2007-08 EDC champion will collect a cool $100,000 for being the
last man standing in the EDC's winner-take-all format. Or he has the
option to forgo prize money and retain his amateur status.
"Given the fact EDC finalists have repeating golf swings and can fill
up the grid, it's a pretty safe bet we'll have a tight finish," noted
Art Sellinger, chief executive officer of LDA and the Exceptional
Driver Championship's creator. "Of course, most amateurs have limited
experience hitting in front of TV cameras and large galleries, so it
will be fascinating to see how they cope with the pressure."
Previous EDC champions were Jason Swihart of Jackson, Michigan (2005)
and Scott Ionno of Northfield, New Jersey (2006). The prior two EDC
finals took place at Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Laughlin, Nevada.
The venue subsequently shifted to Mesquite, which is also host site for
LDA's annual RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in
power golf. That international grass roots event concludes October
20-25.
Qualifying for the 2008 RE/MAX WLDC is ongoing across the United States and around the globe.
Qualifying for the 2009 Exceptional Driver Championship begins immediately following this year's finals.
To learn more about Long Drivers of America and its power golf events visit www.longdrivers.com.
ESPN CLASSIC SETS LONG DRIVE MARATHON
RE/MAX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GETS
SEVEN UNINTERRUPTED HOURS ON SUNDAY, JULY 6
ROANOKE, TEXAS (May 19, 2008) - Stock up on the popcorn, pretzels and cold beverages on Sunday, July 6, and stretch out on the sofa for a power golf spectacular.
ESPN Classic will broadcast a seven-hour marathon of recent RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships finals. Air times are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Vintage footage in the adrenaline-drenched, Pinnacle-pounding power golf marathon on ESPN Classic will include:
A 60-minute telecast of the 2003 RE/MAX finals, surprisingly dominated by a trio of long drive rookies: Clayton Burger, Eric Jones and Nancy Abiecunas;
A 90-minute telecast of the 2004 RE/MAX finals, where long drive legend Bobby Wilson ended a quarter-century quest for a world title;
A 90-minute telecast of the 2005 RE/MAX finals, where Sean "The Beast" Fister secured his third world title;
A 90-minute telecast of the 2006 RE/MAX finals, where Jason Zuback captured his record fifth open division championship;
A 90-minute telecast of the 2007 RE/MAX finals, arguably the greatest display of power golf ever witnessed at a Long Drivers of America (LDA)-sanctioned event.
"ESPN Classic's decision to broadcast a RE/MAX world finals marathon will add plenty of fireworks to the July 4th weekend," said Art Sellinger, LDA owner and chief executive officer. "Extended coverage of our sport's marquee event will create quite a buzz within the long drive community, plus give newcomers an idea of what it's like going up against the best of the best at the RE/MAX world finals in scenic Mesquite, Nevada."
McDowell Cashes in at LDA's RE/MAX of Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of Lewisville
2008-05-09
By Russ Pate
Seeded fourth for the match-play finals, Mitch McDowell figured that as
long as he was going to cash his first check at an Long Drivers of
America tour event he might as well make it a big one.
So he did. And it was.
By defeating second-seed Kevin Bullard in the finals of LDA's RE/MAX of
Texas Shootout, McDowell, a 24-year-old Scottsdale resident, grabbed
the lion's share of the $55,000 total purse -- $12K.
He also tucked away an exemption to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship finals next fall, where he and 127 other open division
competitors will go full throttle for a record $250,000 first prize.
All in all, not a bad night's work at Trophy Club Country Club in front
of a full and enthusiastic house that pumped up the volume.
McDowell edged Bullard, who received $8K in parting gifts, by a 371/24
to 370/2 margin. The outcome was in keeping with an evening of close
calls for the champion:
In his opening match, McDowell nudged aside Tom Roskos, 382/34 to
381/19. Then, keeping the suspense ratcheted up at a high level, he
prevailed in the semifinals over Jeff Crittenden, 388/10 to 387/3.
In the finals, McDowell, hitting first, quickly posted a number that Big Cotton seriously threatened but couldn't quite catch.
Dustin Merrill registered the evening's longest drive -- an even four
bills -- in a quarterfinals win against Jamie Sadlowski. Neither player
found the grid with his opening salvo, which brought LDA's rarely seen
three-ball tiebreaker into play.
Earlier, before the players took the tee, tournament officials
announced McDowell, Crittenden, Roskos and top-seeded Trevor Consavage
had been granted exemptions to the 2008 RE/MAX WLDC finals.
The rest was icing on the cake -- especially in McDowell's case.
LONG DRIVERS OF AMERICA'S RE/MAX OF TEXAS SHOOTOUT PRESENTED BY TOYOTA OF LEWISVILLE
May 9, 2008
Trophy Club Country Club
(Distances in yards/inches)
Quarterfinals:
Jeff Crittenden (8), Greensboro, N.C., def. Trevor Consavage (1), Orlando, Fla., 379-371
Mitch McDowell (4), Scottsdale, Ariz., def. Tom Roskos (5), Sharon, Pa. 382/34-381/19
Dustin Merrill (6), St. Louis, Mo., def. Jamie Sadlowski (3), St. Paul, Alberta, Canada, 400-383 (three-ball tiebreaker)
Kevin Bullard (2), Cedartown, Ga., def. Allen McDougall (7), Scottsdale, Ariz., 390-375
Semifinals:
McDowell def. Crittenden, 388/10-387/3
Bullard def. Merrill, 380-354
Finals:
McDowell def. Bullard, 371/24-370/2
Earnings:
McDowell $12,000
Bullard 8,000
Crittenden 4,500
Merrill 4,500
Consavage 2,250
Roskos 2,250
Sadlowski 2,250
McDougall 2,250
Receiving exemptions to the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship
in Mesquite, Nevada: McDowell, Crittenden, Consavage and Roskos.
(Bullard, Merrill, Sadlowski and McDougall previously earned exemptions to the 2008 RE/MAX WLDC.)
Meet the 2008 RE/MAX of Texas Shootout Quarterfinalists
2008-05-08
By Russ Pate
The Quarterfinal Matches:
Tyler Consavage (1) vs. Jeff Crittenden (8)
Jamie Sadlowski (3)
vs. Dustin Merrill (6)
Mitch McDowell (4) vs. Tom Roskos (5)
Kevin Bullard (2)
vs. Allen McDougall (7)
The Competitors:
Trevor Consavage, 23, Orlando, Fla. Works as an assistant golf
professional. Carries a +1 handicap. Favorite golfer is Chi Chi
Rodriguez. 6-4, 230 pounds.
Jeff Crittenden, 37, Greensboro, N.C. Works as a golf professional. Carries +1 handicap. 6-2, 230 pounds
Tom Roskos, 30, Sharon, Pa. Works as a golf professional. Carries a
scratch handicap. Favorite golfer is Fred Couples. 6-1, 200 pounds.
Mitch McDowell, 24, Scottsdale, Ariz. Makes his living as a
professional golfer. Carries a +4 handicap. Favorite golfer is Erica
Blasberg. 6-1, 245 pounds.
Dustin Merrill, 25, St. Louis, Mo. Works as a project engineer. Carries
a 4 handicap. Favorite golfer is his dad. 6-5, 220 pounds
Jamie Sadlowski, 19, St. Paul, Alberta, Canada. Plays junior hockey
(Bonnyville Pontiacs), works in oilfield services in offseason. Carries
a 0 handicap. Favorite golfer is Hank Kuehne. 5-11, 180 pounds.
Allen McDougall, 31, Scottsdale, Ariz. Newlywed (in April) works as an
investment banker. Carries a 2 handicap. Favorite golfer is Tiger
Woods. 6-4, 245 pounds.
Kevin Bullard, 30, Cedartown, Ga. Works as a financial planner. Carries
a 4 handicap. Favorite golfer is Greg Norman. 6-1, 220 pounds
The Deets:
Consavage crushed a drive of 379 on his sixth and final ball in roiund
7 of the elimination rounds to secure the top seed. Consavage is making
his first-ever start in an LDA Tour event a memorable one.
Crittenden grabbed the eighth seed with a drive of 359 yards, edging
Vince Howell (358) for the final spot in match-play. Like Consavage,
Crittenden is making his debut in an LDA Tour event.
Roskos has turned the RE/MAX of Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of
Lewisville into an annuity. He finished third in 2006 and again in
2007. Roskos ranks in the top ten of LDA Tour career money winners.
McDowell has qualified for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship
finals each of the past three years. His appearance in the Texas
Shootout quarterfinals marks his first match-play round on the LDA Tour.
Merrill is making his second straight appearance in the quarterfinals
of an LDA Tour event. He was seeded eighth at the 2008 Desert Launch in
February and lost a tight match with top-seed Jeff Gavin (362-359).
Sadlowski is returning to the site of his second RE/MAX junior world
long drive champion. As a 17-year-old in 2006, Sadlowski thrilled the
Trophy Club gallery with a winning drive of 420 yards. He drove a
junior world record 437 yards in the prelims.
McDougall will be gunning for a second straight LDA Tour title. He
captured the 2008 Desert Launch in Mesquite, Nev., toppling top-seed
Jeff Gavin in the finals (338-OB).
Bullard is the #2 seed for the second consecutive LDA Tour event. He
also came up deuces at the 2008 Desert Launch, an event he won in 2007
(his first tour title). Bullard, like Roskos, reached the match-play
round at the 2007 Texas Shootout.
Friday evening's agenda begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. A celebrity
long drive contest featuring Dallas Cowboys and D/FW sports media
personalities will be part of the festivities, which will be emceed by
Gentle Muser George Dunham of KTCK (The Ticket) fame.
Come early and enjoy a great performance of power golf presented by
Long Drivers of America (LDA). It's golf on the edge, golf like you've
never seen it before.
Miller Defends Texas Shootout Senior Title
2008-05-07
By Russ Pate
At the rate Frank Miller keeps adding to his long-drive trophy
collection, he'll soon be forced to remodel the den at his home in
Covina, California.
Miller today captured the senior division at LDA's 2008 RE/MAX of Texas
Shootout Presented By Toyota at City Pointe Driving Range in Dallas.
Tack on wins at the 2007 Texas Shootout, the 2007 RE/MAX World Long
Drive Championship and the 2008 Desert Launch and you're talking about
a Miller four-pack.
The hardware is piling up.
Miller defeated Bobby Wilson in the match-play finals, 298-284. Strong
headwinds associated with storm cells dancing around the D/FW area,
plus a rain-softened grid, curtailed numbers posted by all the
competitors.
Miller had the long drive of the day -- 329 yards in his semifinal win over Lance Reader.
John McMahon, who lost the other semifinal match to Wilson, earned the Texas Shootout exemption to the 2008 RE/MAX world finals.
Round 5 in the winner's bracket produced perhaps the day's most
memorable moment. Miller drove 320 yards to secure the #1 seed, while
the other three hitters -- Wilson, McMahon and Michael Sykes --
finished within a foot of each other.
The grid crew called back the distances: Sykes, 300/18; Wilson 300/14;
McMahon 300/11.5. LDA's six-inch rule brought about a three-ball
playoff between Sykes and Wilson, which the latter won 311-0B to secure
the #2 seed. McMahon missed the playoff by .5 of an inch.
Eliminated in round 7 and just missing the match-play semifinals were
Sykes and Sean "The Beast" Fister. Gerry James and Tom Garber went out
in round 6.
RESULTS:
Semfinals:
Frank Miller, Covina, Calif. (1) def. Lance Reader, Gilbert, Ariz. (4), 329-OB
Bobby Wilson, Little Rock, Ark. (2) def. John McMahon, Aurora, Ohio (3), 301-297
Finals:
Miller (1) def. Wilson (2), 298-284
EARNINGS:
Miller $5,000
Wilson 3,000
McMahon 1,500
Reader 1,500
RE/MAX WLDC Exemption: McMahon
LDA’S RE/MAX OF TEXAS SHOOTOUT HITS D/FW ON MAY 7-9
OPEN FINALS FRIDAY NIGHT AT TROPHY CLUB CC
Defending champions Fred Groth and Frank Miller top the list of
professional long drivers coming to the Dallas/Fort Worth area on May
7-9 for the $55,000 RE/MAX of Texas Shootout Presented by Toyota of
Lewisville.
The blue-chip field of power hitters includes
three-time RE/MAX world champion Sean “The Beast” Fister, plus reigning
world champion Mike Dobbyn.
The 2008 RE/MAX of Texas Shootout gives long drive
legend Art Sellinger and his staff at Roanoke-based Long Drivers of
America (LDA) the opportunity to showcase the sport of long drive on
their home turf.
The tournament begins with senior division
elimination rounds and match-play finals at City Pointe Driving Range
in Dallas on Wednesday, May 7. Miller, the reigning RE/MAX senior world
champion, defeated Gerry James (332-329) to take the 2007 Texas
Shootout senior title.
Open division elimination rounds unfold at City
Pointe Driving Range on Thursday, May 8. Eight competitors advance to
the match-play finals on Friday, May 9 at Trophy Club CC, where Groth
edged Steve “The Predator” Monroe (366-365) to capture the 2007 title.
Friday evening’s final begins at approximately 8
p.m. with a celebrity long drive contest featuring several Dallas
Cowboys and local media personalities. George Dunham of KTCK, The
Ticket, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Long drive appeals to power golf addicts. If watching caddies
rake bunkers or pros grind over four-foot putts for par doesn’t quicken
your pulse, check out the adrenaline-drenched action at an LDA event,
where every swing is all-out and go-for-broke.
It’s golf on the edge. Golf with an attitude. Golf like you’ve never seen it before.
Admission, in accordance with a longstanding LDA policy, is free to all RE/MAX of Texas Shootout events.
Texas
Shootout competitors with Texas ties include open division competitors
Nyle Pruitt of Dallas and Clayton Burger of Houston (the 2003 RE/MAX
world champion); senior division competitors include Craig Williams
(Arlington) and Craig Brown (San Antonio).
David Mobley and Dave Gureckis, who in April teamed
to win LDA’s Texas 2-Ball at City Pointe Driving Range, will also be
competing in the open division.
The Texas Shootout open division champion will earn $11,0000, while the senior division winner takes home $5,000.
Exemptions to the finals of the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship will be on the line as well.
LONG DRIVERS OF AMERICA GOES FULL THROTTLE WITH NEW GRAPHITE DESIGN SHAFTS
OFFICIAL LDA SHAFT AVAILABLE IN FLEX S - 3X
ROANOKE, TEXAS (April 24, 2008) – Sellinger’s Power Golf (SPG), the retail and e-tail arm of Roanoke-based Long Drivers of America, has become sole worldwide distributor for the highly anticipated line of “Exclusive LDA Throttle” shafts produced by Graphite Design International (GDI). Graphite Design shafts have produced numerous winning drives in long drive arena and continue to provide PGA Tour players with unmatched quality and performance.
The Exclusive LDA Throttle, which has become the official shaft for Long Drivers of America competition, is available only through SPG in three 48” versions: the Turbo-Charged Throttle (S flex), Super-Charged Throttle (X flex) and Nitrous-Charged Throttle (XX or XXX flex).
Specifically designed at a length of 48 inches, The shaft can be tweaked by SPG technicians to frequencies at desired CPM.
“Given Graphite Design’s remarkable track record in the long drive arena, including recent world titles won by Jason Zuback and Gerry James, there has been a great deal of buzz about these new Throttle shafts created for members of the long drive community,” said Art Sellinger, LDA chief executive officer. “They are off the charts in terms of both looks and performance.”
Graphite Design’s MAP price for the LDA Throttle shaft is $149. LDA’s introductory promotion includes buy three LDA Throttle shafts, get a forth shaft free. In addition, LDA members will receive a 10-percent discount off the sales price, Sellinger said.
“The Exclusive LDA Throttle shafts have been created for the superior swing speeds elite long drive competitors possess,” said GD spokesman Dana Albert, Brand Sales and Marketing Representative of GDI. “These 48” shafts provide distance, accuracy, optimum launch and spin characteristics, plus the hallmark of the Graphite Design brand: superior feel unmatched by any graphite golf shaft manufacturer.”
LDA’s Throttle shafts can be ordered through SPG by calling (800) 208-9699 or online at www.sellingerspowergolf.com.
“These Throttle shafts are going to create quite a stir in long drive circles beginning with this week’s Texas 2-Ball event and carrying on through LDA’s RE/MAX of Texas Shootout in May and Desert Duel in June,” said Sellinger. “Serious long drivers are going to have Throttles in their bag. It will become the go-to shaft this season.”
2008 RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
WILL AGAIN FEATURE ARMED FORCES COMPONENT
7UP BECOMES PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR MILITARY EVENT
ROANOKE, TEXAS (April 14, 2008) – The 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive
Championship, the premier event in power golf, will again feature an
armed forces component that determines the longest golfer for the
military services, Long Drivers of America (LDA) has announced.
Six finalists will compete Oct. 23 in the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship Presented by 7UP in Mesquite, Nev.
The competition is open to all active duty service members, Reserve,
National Guard, retirees and family members 18 years and older.
7UP, from the Cadbury Schweppes family of America’s favorite beverages,
will be the presenting sponsor for the military long drive event,
organized and administered by the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and
Recreation Command.
The military finalists will vie for a $10,000 first prize and an exemption to the 2009 RE/MAX world finals.
U.S. Coast Guard Airman Ryan Hixson won the inaugural Military Long
Drive Championship in Mesquite in 2007. Hixson’s winning drive of 367
yards earned him an exemption to the 2008 RE/MAX world finals. Army SGT
Bryan King finished runner-up.
The military event will again take center stage on Thursday night of
RE/MAX championship week in Mesquite. Included in Thursday evening’s
agenda will be a flyover by U.S. Air Force jets and a drop-in
performance by the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team.
Qualifying rounds for the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship will
take place at 27 military bases. Local winners will advance to four
second-stage qualifying sites, where winners will earn a spot in the
finals. This year’s local military schedule includes events in Alaska,
Hawaii, Germany, Korea and the continental United States.
The following installations will host first-round competitions between
July 11 and Aug. 31:
Fort Dix, N.J.; Fort Lee, Va.; Fort Meade, Md.;
Carlisle Barracks, Pa.; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Benning, Fort
Gordon and Fort McPherson, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Campbell and
Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Jackson, S.C.; Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Fort
Carson, Colo.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Riley,
Kan.; Fort Bliss, Fort Hood and Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Huachuca,
Ariz.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Heidelberg, Stuttgart and Wiesbaden, Germany;
and Camp Casey and Yongsan, Korea.
More information on rules and regulations for the competition is available at www.armymwrgolf.com.
GURECKIS, MOBLEY TOP GUNSLINGERS
AT LDA’S TEXAS 2-BALL
GORTON, GRIFFITH WIN WRANGLERS DIVISION
By Russ Pate
Fifty of LDA’s finest hitters descended on Dallas for the
organization’s first members-only team event in memory, and after an
all-day slugfest at City Pointe Driving Range a pair of Daves –
Gureckis and Mobley – came up aces.
The Daves were cool hands at crunch time, posting 1,024 combined
yards (three balls) in the penultimate set of the finals, good enough
to secure the $4,400 first prize in the Gunslingers Division.
Bobby Bradley and Mat “Hoss” Vilade, who had earned top seed with
2,001 yards (six balls) in the semifinals, struggled to find the grid
in the final set of the day and had to settle for fifth place.
The winner’s margin was a comfortable 40 yards over runners-up
Steve Magan and Josh Matthies, who posted 984 yards in the finals. That
total was enough to edge veterans Joe Hajduch and Frank Miller (976),
who claimed third.
Magan and Matthies had to survive a playoff with Jeff Gavin and
Rock Hicks to secure the tenth and final spot in the semifinals. The
playoff win provided Magan and Matthies momentum for the remainder of
the competition.
Earlier, a pair of RE/MAX world champions, Mike Gorton and Steve
Griffith, won the Wranglers Division (53 and older) and enjoyed a
$2,000 payday.
Gorton and Griffith led through three rounds of qualifying with
2,638 yards. Jim Mantell and Dick Rodgers finished second (2,540) while
David Brinker and Kim Shearburn were third (2,420).
In the finals, Gorton, the reigning RE/MAX WLDC super senior
titleholder, and Griffith, the 2005 winner, posted 986 yards. Rodgers
and Mantell had 867.
After four rounds of qualifying in the Gunslingers Division, Vince
Howell and Jerimie Montgomery were on top with 320 points, which
included two 100-point sets for winning their group and a 70-point set
for being runnerup in a third.
Other top tandems through the qualifying phase were Scott Smith and
Michael Zeigler (310 points), Gureckis and Mobley (300 points) and Adam
Lipinski and J.D. Murkerson (290 points).
Check out the Texas 2-Ball Results Page!
LDA Tour Wins Since 2002
2002 PINNACLE LDA TOUR
Atlanta
Greg Wellong (Open) ..............361,16"
Bobby Wilson (Senior).............350
Sharon Sullivan (Women).......308
Greensboro
Gerry James (O).............358
Bobby Wilson (S)............361,5"
Sharon Sullivan (W).......300, 6"
Long Island
Carl Hasselback (O).....358,7"
Bobby Wilson (S)...........344,5"
Teresa Parker (W)..........276
Detroit
Adriaan van Rensburg (O).......370,8"
Pat Dempsey (S).......................351
Sharon Sullivan (W)..................292,6"
Branson
David Mobley (O)...............352,4"
Pat Dempsey (S)...............350,8"
Sharon Sullivan (W)...........270,9"
LDA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP (Dallas)
Vince Howell (O).............351,16"
Bobby Wilson (S)............305,5"
Stacey Shinnick (W)........278
2003 PINNACLE LDA TOUR
Dallas
Ryan Gearhart (O)........369, 12"
John Tutty (S)................330
Sally Dee (W)................299, 24"
Boston
Brian Pavlet (O)..........359
Mike Gorton (S)..........348
Robin Lyons (W)........283, 28"
Atlanta
Greg Wellong (O).........364
John Tutty (S)................351
Lee Brandon (W)..........309
Minneapolis
Brian Pavlet (O)...........380
Bobby Wilson (S)........356
Robin Lyons (W)..........278
Sacramento
Brian Pavlet (O)............397
Bobby Wilson (S).........391
Lee Brandon (W)..........318
San Bernardino
Vince Ciurluini (O)......390
Mike Gorton (S)...........366
Sally Dee (W)..............316
LDA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP (Dallas)
Carl Wolter (O)...........344
Mike Gorton (S)..........356
Sally Dee (W)..............287
2004 PINNACLE LDA TOUR
Albuquerque
Greg Wellong (O)............434
John Tutty (S)...................412
Nancy Abiecunas (W).....352
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