2009 RE/MAX WLDC BRACKET RECAP HERE
SADLOWSKI REPEATS AS RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPION
WILSON EARNS HISTORIC DOUBLE: SENIOR AND SUPER SENIOR TITLES
MESQUITE, NEV. (October 30, 2009) –- With a towering blast of 384 yards into the cool desert air, Canadian sensation Jamie Sadlowski won the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship for the second consecutive year at Mesquite Sports and Event Complex on Friday night.
Sadlowski, a 21-year-old resident of St. Paul, Alberta, earned a $150,000 payday for his 384-351 match-play win over Jerimie Montgomery. Montgomery earned $70,000 for his runner-up finish.
But even as he cemented his status at the pinnacle of power golf, Sadlowski was forced to share center stage with Long Drivers of America (LDA) Hall of Fame member Bobby Wilson.
Wilson, 53, authored a new chapter in long drive history by bagging two RE/MAX world championship rings; the resident of North Little Rock, Ark., won the title in both the senior (ages 45+) and super senior (53+) divisions.
Wilson pocketed $50,000 for claiming his second RE/MAX senior world title -- the first came in 2004 -- with a 378-OB win over Sweden’s Johan Tumba.
Tumba, who collected $14,000 for his runner-up finish, earlier toppled top-seed Gerry James, 378-355, in one semifinal; in the other, Wilson squeezed past defending senior division champion Dan Boever, 358-357.
Wilson had begun the evening’s festivities by defeating Pete DeBoer, 362-OB, in the super senior division final. Wilson earned $20,000, while DeBoer collected $7,000.
In one of the closest encounters on the evening’s card, the third-seeded Wilson nipped second-seeded Pat Dempsey in a memorable semifinal, 370-369. DeBoer had earlier bested top-seeded and two-time defending champion Mike Gorton, 338-330.
The tournament marked the 15th anniversary championship in Nevada. Power golf’s premier event was staged in Las Vegas in 1995-96, then moved to its home in Mesquite in 1997.
2009 RE/MAX WLDC OFFICIAL RESULTS:
OPEN DIVISION
Round of Eight For Seeding
Jerimie Montgomery 396 (4)
Jason Zuback 380
Ryan Louw 394
Mick Yelovich 403 (1)
Jamie Sadlowksi 401 (2)
Zac Adams 399 (3)
Carl Wolter 354
Jeff Gavin 391
Semifinals:
Jerimie Montgomery (4) def. Mick Yelovich (1), 381-375
Jamie Sadlowski (2) def. Zac Adams (3), 382-372
Final:
Sadlowski def. Montgomery, 384-351
SENIOR DIVISION
Semifinals:
John Tumba (4) def. Gerry James (1), 378-355
Bobby Wilson (2) def. Dan Boever (3), 358-357
Final:
Wilson def. Tumba, 374-OB
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Semifinals:
Pete DeBoer (4) def. Mike Gorton (1), 338-330
Bobby Wilson (3) def. Pat Dempsey (2), 370-369
Final:
Wilson def. DeBoer, 362-OB
ESPN will debut a 90-minute highlights package from the championship on Sunday, Dec. 20; ESPN2 will follow with a re-airing on Friday, Dec. 25.
To learn more about Long Drivers of America and the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including rules and regulations, browse www.longdrivers.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Russ Pate (817) 819-4547
or rrprsp@airmail.net
RENKERT LONGEST OF THE LONG AS RE/MAX WLDC ROLLS ON
MESQUITE, NEV. (Oct. 29) - Dane Renkert led the way during Thursday's final session of Open Division elimination rounds at the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.
Renkert smashed a 375-drive through the cold night air to lead a group of six hitters who advanced on the winner's side of the bracket to Round 8 on Friday morning.
Also moving on were Ryan Hixson (371 yards), 2008 world champion Jamie Sadlowski (366), Allen McDougall (365), Rock Hicks (363) and three-time RE/MAX world champion Sean "The Beast" Fister (363).
Hixson, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, on Wednesday evening captured the Military Long Drive Championship Presented by 7UP for the third consecutive year.
Surviving a Round 7 shootout on the loser's side of the bracket and advancing to Round 9 were five-time RE/MAX world champion Jason Zuback (368) and Viliami "Ben" Tuaone (366).
Tuaone clocked the longest drive on Thursday -- 418 yards in Round 2.
Play gets underway at Mesquite Sports and Event Complex at 9 a.m. on Friday with Rounds 8-11 in the Senior Division. Open Division play follows from 10:30 to 1 p.m.
Power golf's premier event concludes on Friday, when RE/MAX world champions will be crowned in three divisions -- Open, Senior (45+) and Super Senior (53+).
The Open Division champion earns $150,000 and recognition as the longest hitter in golf.
The finals begin at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Highlights from the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship will air on ESPN on Sunday, Dec. 20 and re-air on ESPN2 on Christmas Day.
HIXSON THREEPEATS AS MILITARY LONG DRIVE CHAMPION
MESQUITE, NEV. (Oct. 28) - History keeps repeating itself for U.S. Coast Guard member Ryan Hixson.
His third appearance in the finals of the Military Long Drive
Championship Presented by 7UP wound up like the previous two: he won
again.
Hixson, who is stationed in Pensacola, Fla., where he is going
through flight school, smashed a winning drive of 343 at Mesquite
Sports and Event Complex.
He pocketed $10,000 for his efforts as well as an exemption to the 2010 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.
Runner-up in the event, which featured 21 competitors from duty
stations in the United States, Europe and Japan, was US Army Reservist
PFC Nate Chadwick, from Milwaukee WI. Chadwick hit his sixth and final
ball in play at 335, putting pressure on Hixson. The 3-time military
champion proved his himself worthy of the crown as he ripped his fifth
Pinnacle golf ball 343 yards into the cold, constant 20 mph headwind.
CBS Sports personality David Feherty served as emcee for the
competition, coordinated by the U.S. Army's Morale, Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) Command.
Highlights of the 2009 Military Long Drive Championship finals will
be shown during ESPN's debut telecast of the 2009 RE/MAX World Long
Drive Championship on Sunday, December 20.
Preliminary Bracket RECAP HERE Final Match Play Bracket RECAP HERE
TRACKMAN HIGHLIGHTS DAY 4
Military Long Drive Championship - Preliminary Rounds
Wednesday, Oct 28
Top CLUB Speed (ranked by player)
Jacob Taylor - 142 mph
Nate Chadwick - 141
Nate Chadwick - 141
Brian Webb - 139
James Packard - 137
TafunaOney- 136
Nathan Scott Damon - 136
Ryan Hixson - 135
Kelsey Steiner - 134
Bynum Alumbaugh- 134
John Merritt - 132
Military Long Drive Championship - Preliminary Rounds
Wednesday, Oct 28
Top BALL Speed (ranked by player)
Nate Chadwick - 209 mph
Jacob Taylor - 207
Jacob Taylor - 207
Brian Webb - 204
James Packard - 203
Ryan Hixson - 201
Kelsey Steiner - 199
TafunaOney- 199
Nathan Scott Damon - 199
Bynum Alumbaugh- 198
John Merritt - 197
Ryan Hixon's winning shot (343 yards):
Club Speed – 134 mph
Ball Speed – 199 mph
Launch Angle – 9.0 degrees
Spin Rate – 1863 rpm
Landing Angle – 40.5 degrees
Nate Chadwick go ahead shot (335 yards, his last ball):
Club Speed – 135 mph
Ball Speed – 196 mph
Launch Angle – 13.0 degrees
Spin Rate – 1380 rpm
Landing Angle – 41.0 degrees
www.trackmangolf.com
TrackMan™ © 2009
2009 Military Long Drive Championship presented by 7UP Finalists:
1st LT James Agate, United States Navy - Long Island, NY
Technical Sergeant Jeffrey L. Johnston, United States Air Force - Heber Springs, AR
Senior Master Sergeant Ronald D. Batten, United States Air Force - Ripley, WV
Staff Sergeant Carl Taylor United States Air Force - Decatur, IL
Private First Class Nate Chadwick, United States Army Reserves - Milwaukee WI
Sergeant First Class Nathan Allen, United States Army Retired - St. Louis, MI
Sergeant Brian Webb, United States Army - Crystal Falls MI
Sergeant First Class John Merrit, United States Army Retired - Haymarket, VA
Staff Sergeant Tafuna Oney, United States Army - American Samoa
Sergeant Jason Dangle, United States Army - Salem, OH
Chief Warrant Officer Bynum “Rocky” Alumbaugh United States Army - Carthage, MO
Sergeant First Class Todd Sneed, United States Army National Guard - Haughton, LA
Sergeant Kelsey Steiner, United States Army - Fairfield, IL
Sergeant First Class Daniel Ridgeway, United States Army - Avon, SD
Ensign Ryan Hixson, United States Coast Guard - Milan, IN
Petty Officer First Class Nathan Scott Damon, United States Coast Guard - Merrick , NY
1st LT James Agate, United States Navy - Long Island, NY
Petty Officer Kenneth Leonard, United States Navy - Marysville, CA
Petty Officer James Packard, United States Navy - Tonganoxie, KS
Staff Sergeant Jacob Taylor, United States Marine Corps - Mocksville, NC
Captain Jeremy Williams, United States Army National Guard - Beaver UT
Former Senior World Champions Top RE/MAX Hit Parade
MESQUITE, NEV. (Oct. 26) - Former RE/MAX senior world long drive
champions Pat Dempsey (2002), Bobby Wilson (2004) and Gerry James
(2005-06) led a parade of eight elite Senior Division power hitters who
advanced on the winner's side of the bracket during qualifying rounds
Monday at Mesquite Sports and Event Complex in Mesquite, Nevada.
The top four morning qualifiers were Tom Celone (369), Greg Walker, who
hails from nearby Washington, Utah (358), Doug Penneman (354) and
Dempsey (354).
Top afternoon qualifiers were Wilson (392), reigning European senior
champion Johan Tumba (391), Stew Kirkland (375) and James (373).
The eight will be back in action at 9 a.m. on Friday (Oct. 30), seeking
spots in Friday evening's match-play rounds.
Still alive on the loser's side of the bracket are Long Drivers of
America (LDA) Hall of Fame members Sean "The Beast" Fister and Mike
Gorton, plus 2008 RE/MAX senior world champion Dan Boever and Mike
Barbarossa.
At stake on Friday evening will be a $50,000 check for the winner. The
Senior Division runner-up will receive $14,000. The other two semifinalists earn $7,000.
Qualifying rounds in the 2009 RE/MAX WLDC Open Division begin Tuesday
a.m. Start times have been moved up to 8 a.m. in anticipation of high
winds and severe weather later in the day.
TRACKMAN HIGHLIGHTS DAY 2
2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship
Senior Division
Monday, Oct 26
Top Club Speed (ranked by player)
Paul Swisher - 141 mph
Gerry James - 139
Tom Celone - 139
Vince Ciurluini - 138
Pat Dempsey - 138
Doug Penneman - 138
TJ Chiesa - 137
Sean Fister - 137
Frank Miller - 136
Bobby Wilson - 136
2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship
Senior Division
Monday, Oct 26
Top Ball Speed (ranked by player)
Paul Swisher - 211 mph
Gerry James - 208
Tom Celone - 207
TJ Chiesa - 206
Vince Ciurluini - 206
Pat Dempsey - 203
Frank Miller - 203
Bobby Wilson - 202
Doug Penneman - 202
Sean Fister - 201
TrackMan™ © 2009 www.trackmangolf.com
Gorton, Dempsey, Wilson and DeBoer Advance To Friday Night
MESQUITE,
NEVADA (October 25, 2009) - Two-time defending world champion Mike
Gorton today led a parade of four elite power hitters who advanced to
Friday night's match-play semifinals and finals at the 2009 RE/MAX
World Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nevada.
Gorton (323 yards) and Pat Dempsey (322 yards) advanced through the
winner's side of the bracket. Joining them on Friday night will be
loser's bracket survivors Bobby Wilson (319 yards) and Pete DeBoer (309
yards).
The Super Senior Division champion will earn $20,000 and the
runner-up $7,000. The other semifinalists will pocket $3,500 apiece.
Gorton and Wilson are members of the Long Drivers of America (LDA)
Hall of Fame and former RE/MAX world champions. Gorton won the RE/MAX
Senior Division title in 2000, then captured the Super Senior crown the
past two years; Wilson, who is competing in all three RE/MAX divisions
(Open, Senior and Super Senior) this year, won the Senior Division
title in 2004.
Like Wilson, Dempsey, the 2002 RE/MAX Senior Division champion is
making his debut in the Super Senior Division (competitors 53 and up).
DeBoer is making his second consecutive appearance in the Super Senior Division final four.
Super Senior Division
Seeding for Friday night Semifinals:
1. Mike Gorton vs. 4. Pete DeBoer
2. Pat Dempsey vs. 3. Bobby Wilson
TRACKMAN HIGHLIGHTS - DAY 1
2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship
Super Senior Division
Sunday, Oct 25
Top Club Speed (ranked by player)
Pat Dempsey - 138 mph
Bobby Wilson - 135
Mike Gorton - 135
George Moisoff - 131
Rick Barry - 129
Steve Griffith - 128
Michael Hooper - 127
Scott DeCandia - 126
John Kikes - 126
Paul Mette - 126
2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship
Super Senior Division
Sunday, Oct 25
Top Ball Speed (ranked by player)
Pat Dempsey - 203 mph
Bobby Wilson - 201
Mike Gorton - 196
George Moisoff - 193
Rick Barry - 192
Steve Griffith - 191
Michael Hooper - 189
Kim Shearburn - 188
Pat Mostoway - 187
Scott DeCandia - 186
TrackMan™ © 2009 www.trackmangolf.com
2008 RECAP
Jamie Sadlowski - 2008 RE/MAX World Champion
2008 RWLDC BRACKET RECAP HERE
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Open and Senior Division Finals
Saturday, Oct. 25 Mesquite Regional Park, Mesquite, Nevada
First-time
winners Jamie Sadlowski and Dan Boever each claimed the most
prestigious prize in power golf in their respective divisions on
Saturday night, winning the 2008 RE/MAX world titles at Mesquite
Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Sadlowski, a 20-year-old ex hockey player from St. Paul,
Alberta, Canada, won the Open Division title when he launched a
Pinnacle Gold FX Long Drive Golf Ball a record 418 yards. The previous
RE/MAX finals record of 412 yards was held by long drive legend and
fellow Canadian Jason Zuback.
Best known for wining consecutive RE/MAX Junior World
Long Drive Championship titles in 2005-2006, Sadlowski earned $250,000
for his winning drive. Dewald Gouws of Westonaria, South Africa, was
the runner-up with a drive of 387 yards in the finals. Gouws earned
$60,000 for his drive.
Boever took home $50,000 with a drive of 366 yards in
the Senior Division finals. Boever who resides in Rogersville, Missouri
also travels the United States doing long drive exhibitions and trick
shot shows.
Mike Gorton from Erie, Colorado, earned a close second
in the Senior Division finals. The fan favorite produced a best drive
of 356 yards in the final round to pocket $20,000. Gorton also took
home the Super Senior Division win on Wednesday night. The tour rep
added to an extensive trophy collection that also includes the 1987
U.S. National Long Drive title.
RE/MAX WLDC Results:
Open Division Quarterfinal shootout – Top 4 advanced to Semifinal match-play
Jamie Sadlowski: St. Paul, Alberta, Canada: 415 yards
Dewald Gouws: Westonaria, South Africa: 415 yards
Derek Hines: Arvada, Colorado: 413 yards
Landon Colling: Columbus, Ohio: 405 yards
Jason Zuback: Calgary, Alberta, Canada: 400 yards
Joe Shuba: Canonsberg, Pennsylvania: 387 yards
Vince Ciurluini: Los Angeles, California: 380 yards
Joe Miller: London, England: 379 yards
Open Division Semifinal (Match Play):
Jamie Sadlowski (1) def. Landon Colling (4), 419-364
Dewald Gouws (2) def. Derek Hines (3), 412-OB
Final Match:
Sadlowski def. Gouws, 418-387/1
Senior Division Semifinals (Match Play):
Dan Boever (1) Gerry James (4), 379-360
Mike Gorton (2) def. Brian Harris (1), 377-363
Final Match:
Boever def. Gorton, 366/25-356/13
Hixson Defends Title at the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship presented by 7Up
Thursday, Oct. 23
Defending Champion and U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer, Ryan Hixson
claimed Military World Long Drive's most prestigious prize in power on
Thursday night, winning the 2008 Military World Long Drive Title at
Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada. The Night was presented by
7-UP and MWR (Military Welfare and Recreation.)
Hixson from Cincinnati, Ohio won the Military World Long Drive
Championship with a drive of 389 yards against Olean, New York born
Brandon Boehmer with a drive of 332 yards. The 2008 Military World Long
Drive Champion earned $10,000 for the win, and will also compete in the
RE/MAX World Long Drive Open Division.
Military night consisted of an all-American themed show. American flags
and camouflaged bracelets were given to all attendees, and IBC provided
Root Beer floats.
The night started with a powerful opening of former Golden Night and
Green Beret, Dana Bowman jumping from a helicopter carrying an 800
square foot flag. Bowman lost both of his legs in an accident during a
routine jump in Yuma, Arizona.
The Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard provided the audience with the
presentation of the colors as everyone stood for the National Anthem.
Former Vietnam Veteran, and amputee Bob Wedge hit the Ceremonial First
Ball. Wedge is a long-time supporter and announcer for the RE/MAX World
Long Drive Championship.
Military Night also included a motivational speech from Jason Lane, who
served in Operation Desert Shield. Bowman lost his left arm in a
motorcycle accident and is an advocate for amputee golfers.
The night concluded with a patriotic-themed laser show.
Military World Long Drive Championship Match Play Finals Results:
Ryan Hixson (1) def. Boehmer (2), 389-332
2008 RE/MAX WLDC Recap Day 3
Wednesday, Oct. 22
First-time winner Lana Lawless and repeat champions Rick Barry and Mike
Gorton each claimed the most prestigious prize in power golf on
Wednesday night, winning 2008 RE/MAX world titles at Mesquite Regional
Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Lawless from Palm Springs, California, won the women's division
championship with a drive of 254 yards into a fierce headwind gusting
over 30 mph.
A 2007 RE/MAX WLDC semifinalist and the winner of LDA's Desert Duel
earlier this year, Lawless earned $12,500. Phillis Meti of Auckland,
New Zealand, the 2006 RE/MAX world champion, was runner-up for the
second consecutive year.
Rick Barry from Colorado Springs, Colorado, earned a second consecutive
title in the grand champions division. The NBA legend and scoring
machine produced a best drive of 285 yards, 1" in the brutal conditions
to pocket $12,500. John Joseph, a PGA golf professional from Indio,
California, was runner-up.
Gorton, who resides in Erie, Colorado, added to an extensive trophy
collection that also includes the 1987 U.S. National Long Drive Title
and the 2000 RE/MAX senior crown. A tour rep for Yonex, Gorton earned
$25,000 for the repeat win.
Steve Griffith, from Hamilton, Ohio, was runner-up for the second straight season.
RE/MAX WLDC Results:
Women's Division:
Lana Lawless (1) def. Tiffany Catafygiotu 4), 266-235
Phillis Meti (3) def. Sally Dee (2), 300-266
Lawless def. Meti, 254/11-250/28.5
Grand Champions Division:
John Joseph (4) def. Fred Hooter (1), 259-OB
Rick Barry (3) def. Rick Scott (2), 289-275
Barry def. Joseph, 285/1-OB
Super Senior Division:
Mike Gorton (1) def. Pete DeBoer (4), 311-269
Steve Griffith (2) def. Kim Shearburn, 268-OB
Gorton def. Griffith, 301/32-280/4
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Recap for Tuesday, October 21, 2008
For the second consecutive year, Mike Gorton and Steve Griffith are the
top two seeds for super senior division match-play after Tuesday's
elimination rounds at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Gorton, the 2007 RE/MAX world champion, secured the top seed with a
drive of 387 yards in round seven of the modified double-elimination
format. The LDA Hall of Fame member, who resides in Erie, Colorado, is
a pro tour rep for Yonex.
Griffith, the 2005 RE/MAX world champion and 2007 runner-up, nailed
down the second seed with a drive of 379 yards in the same round.
Griffith, who lives in Hamilton, Ohio, is an elementary school teacher.
Kim Shearburn of St. Louis, Missouri, earned the third seed for
Wednesday night’s finals, blasting a drive of 368 yards in round nine.
Pete DeBoer of Palm Springs, California, drove 361 yards that same
round to lock up the fourth seed.
Shearburn is an industrial distributor; DeBoer a small business owner.
Ted Fostey of Calgary, Alberta, had the longest drive of the day in the super senior division - 401 yards in round five.
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Qualifying Results
Mike Gorton 387 yards Round Seven (Winner's Bracket)
Steve Griffith 379 yards Round Seven (Winner's Bracket)
Kim Shearburn 368 yards Round Nine (Loser's Bracket)
Pete DeBoer 361 yards Round Nine (Loser's Bracket)
Semifinal Match-ups
(1) Gorton vs. (4) DeBoer
(2)Griffith vs. (3) Shearburn
In the RE/MAX WLDC senior division, Doug Penneman of Keller, Texas,
earned the 48th and final spot in Wednesday's qualifying rounds, with a
resounding drive of 392 yards.
Penneman defeated Jeff Nichols of Tucson, Arizona, in a best-of-three-sets playoff.
Match scores were:
Nichols, 351, def. Penneman, 349;
Penneman, 362, def. Nichols, 354;
Penneman, 392, def. Nichols, 351.
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Recap for Monday, October 20, 2008
Lana
Lawless and Fred Hooter captured the top seeds for Wednesday night’s
match-play rounds in the women’s and grand champions divisions of the
2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship during Monday’s elimination
rounds at Mesquite Regional Park in Mesquite, Nevada.
Lawless, a 2007 semifinalist from Palm Springs, Calif.,
drove 335 yards in round seven to clinch the top seed. Sally Dee, the
2004 RE/MAX world champion from Tampa, Fla., secured the second seed
with a drive measuring 314 yards.
Rounding out the top four will be Phillis Meti of Auckland, New Zealand, and Tiffany Catafygiotu of Greenville, South Carolina.
Hooter,
from Auburn, Ala., drove 389 yards in round seven to secure the top
spot in the grand champions divis
