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RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship: Will Drives Hit in Vegas Stay in Vegas?

Dogfish Head

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By Golf Channel Communications

For the men who live to hit it long, the culmination of a dream can be realized on Tuesday night, Nov. 4, when eight of the longest hitters in the world will showcase the raw power that each hopes will earn him the championship belt and the winner-take-all prize of $250,000 at the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, airing live on Golf Channel at 10 p.m. ET.

The two-hour, live finale will originate from a competition set at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, where the finalists will hit their drives--requiring both distance and accuracy--in excess of 400 yards from a custom-made platform on to a Championship grid surrounded by thousands of spirited fans.


"There's a lot at stake and a ton of pressure, so watching which one of these players can fight through his nerves and emotions to capture a world championship will make for a very compelling competition," said Keith Allo, vice president of Original Productions, Golf Channel. "Add the lights, Las Vegas, head-to-head competition and the live 'perform or go home' atmosphere, and this will be high-drama at its best."


The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship identifies the longest golfer on earth and offers sports fans a chance to witness players who generate mammoth swing speeds of 150 mph and ball speeds of 220 mph. In comparison, the highest average swing speed on the PGA TOUR last season was 124 mph generated by Bubba Watson. His fastest swing of the year was 127 mph. Long drive athletes train and prepare all year for the chance to take a swing at becoming the World Long Drive Champion. Specialized training allows long drive athletes to generate maximum ball and swing speeds, and focus solely on maximizing distance during competition. The golf equipment used in Long Drive competition conforms to regulations for all golfers set forth by the United States Golf Association.

Golf Channel anchor Ryan Burr will provide play-by-play; Michael Breed, host of The Golf Fix, will offer analysis on the driving grid; and Lauren Thompson, co-host of Morning Drive, will handle interviews. Art Sellinger, long-drive pioneer, two-time national long-drive champion and owner of the Long Drivers of America, also will be on hand to provide long drive analysis.

The longest eight golfers on Earth competing will be:

• Daniel Beckman, 30, Fresno, California
• Jeff Crittenden, 43, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Jeff Flagg, 29, Pelham, Alabama
• Matt Hanger, 30, Anaheim, California
• Joe Miller, 29, London, England
• Connor Powers, 30, Naperville, Illinois
• Jamie Sadlowski , 26, St. Paul, Alberta, Canada
• Adam Smith, 24, Tomball, Texas

Miller won the world title in 2010 and was undefeated in 2014 on the Long Drivers European Tour, where he has captured 12 titles. He finished as the runner-up at the 2013 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship to Tim Burke, who hit a world-record drive of 427 yards to win the title. Burke failed to qualify for a return trip to Las Vegas. Sadlowski, who famously broke two simulators during appearances on Golf Channel, is a two-time world champion and is making his eighth-straight appearance in the final - the longest active streak.



Source: RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship: Will Drives Hit in Vegas Stay in Vegas?
 

TheTrueReview

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The lineup.

10257551_10152647144256676_453336991734386540_o.jpg


The prize.

10368823_10152647144321676_5322523454108843033_o.jpg
 

anonymous golfaholic

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Just about all of those matches came down to a yard or two. I hated to see Sadlowski lose by 1 yard. I always root for him because of his small stature.

Also, you have to give it up for Jeff Crittenden. That guy is like 45 years old. That guy gives me hope, lol.


I was watching this and the announcers kept comparing these guys to the PGA guys. Saying that they're hitting the ball about a 100 yards farther than the tour guys and their clubhead speed is about 40 mph higher. I think that is a little misleading to say the least. First they are comparing the top 8 long drivers against the Tour average(which in itself is a little misleading). Not only that, they are using different equipment. These guys were hitting it around 370 yards. McIlroy is bombing it 350 and he isn't using a 50" driver. Those talking heads on TV just get on my nerves sometimes.
 

Splunge

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Just about all of those matches came down to a yard or two. I hated to see Sadlowski lose by 1 yard. I always root for him because of his small stature.

Also, you have to give it up for Jeff Crittenden. That guy is like 45 years old. That guy gives me hope, lol.


I was watching this and the announcers kept comparing these guys to the PGA guys. Saying that they're hitting the ball about a 100 yards farther than the tour guys and their clubhead speed is about 40 mph higher. I think that is a little misleading to say the least. First they are comparing the top 8 long drivers against the Tour average(which in itself is a little misleading). Not only that, they are using different equipment. These guys were hitting it around 370 yards. McIlroy is bombing it 350 and he isn't using a 50" driver. Those talking heads on TV just get on my nerves sometimes.
He can also hit the fairway every* time, these guys are lucky if they keep it in play four times.
 

BigJim13

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Watching the long drive for me is like watching baseball on TV....zzzzzz
 

J.P.C.

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i'd like to see these okes hitting the long drives, play a round of golf.....should be intersting to see whether they can hit irons or even a little lob wedge.......wonder what they will do with a putter.
 

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