Written by Scott Dunford
After the World Long Drive competition elected to move its event from Mesquite to Las Vegas, the locals–such as myself–who loved this Golf “Show of Shows” and who volunteered and worked it, felt like we were kicked in the stomach! How could they do that to us? Mesquite had hosted this event since 1995! Long Drivers of America took the reins that same year with Re/Max as their title sponsor. Well, don’t be too upset just yet. There’s hope on the horizon in the form of a new kid in town who has the experience and background to pull off a major long drive event again in Mesquite.
His name is Lynn Ray, and he’s a seven-time Re/Max World Long Drive finalist. Ray took first place at the Mesquite Senior Games 2015, 11th in the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship Super Senior, and has a pedigree of numerous other championships to his credit. He also set the Guinness World Record for hitting the most 300 yard drives within one hour—at 272! This new event will be called the “Mesquite Long Drive Open Global Championship” and is scheduled for Sept. 18-26, 2015, at the Mesquite Sports Park—that perfect stage where the previous World Long Drive was hosted. Maybe this time we’ll get to hold it at night under the lights. I think the event hours last year affected attendance, as many from outside Mesquite couldn’t attend during the day except for the weekend. Plus, it’s cooler at night, and the lights make it easier to see the ball in flight all they way down the 400 yard+ grid.
Ray said that contestants will travel from as far as Austria and will be competing for a total purse of over $229,000. Unlike its predecessor, the Mesquite Long Drive Open Global Championship won’t be a winner-take-all event. Here’s a breakdown of what can be expected if there’s a full field of competitors:
– 192 Open Total Purse $ 109,000
– 64 Seniors Total Purse $ 31,000
– 64 Super Seniors Total Purse $ 31,000
– 48 Grand Champions Total Purse $ 23,100
– 32 Legends Total Purse $ 19,200
– 16 Masters Total Purse $ 8,000
– 16 Ladies Total Purse $ 8,000
Organizers are also planning on setting up the closest thing we have to a golf expo in this area, with regional and local vendors promoting their products and services to fans each day of the event. This would include “The Golf Fest,”—known for providing incredible deals on all the major brands of equipment—free golf instruction, golf clinics from PGA professionals and Long Drive contestants, free golf with paid entry, and much more! If you’re a golfer who loves to hit it along side a pro, start getting your game tuned up to hit side by side with the best at one or maybe two pro-am competitions. They are working on one event to be a PGA Tour event. Wouldn’t that be cool? The closest thing we’ve ever had in Mesquite to a PGA Tour event was “Big Break Mesquite!”
Friday night, Sept. 25, will be a meet-and-greet party at the grid. The public and volunteers can mingle and enjoy a brew or two with competitors and vendors. Live music will be on hand, so bring a dance partner and get ready to party!
Ray mentioned that they will be starting a Golf Fest Long Drive Tour beginning 2016. The first tour stop will be in Palm Springs in November 2015, in San Diego in February 2016, and in Phoenix in March 2016. They will be looking at three-to-five more stops across the U.S. in that same year. Here’s your chance to test your game with others who think they have what it takes. Check out this link to stay informed as they move forward: http://www.captncrushpowergolf.com.
I went to Long Drivers of America’s website and read that they’re still looking for a title sponsor to replace Re/Max. Re/Max was their title sponsor for the past 20 years but elected to not renew their involvement after last year. Here’s what it said on the LDA website:
2015-05-05
Long Drivers of America and the Golf Channel continue to work diligently to secure a title sponsor for the 2015 World Long Drive Championship.
I’m encouraged by some recent progress and meetings. We will hopefully know more in the next few weeks.
Seems the well may be dried up for a Vegas Long Drive Championship this year. It’s already July and no title sponsor! Steve Wiley, the vice president of sales and marketing for LDA, says that they’re still pursuing every option to replace that hole left by Re/Max, but it’s still up in the air. Ray’s Mesquite Long Drive Global Championship may be your best bet if you enjoy watching these very athletic men hit the ball over 350-400 yards in competition! Plus, it’s close to home for most of us, which makes it even better if you want to watch, participate, volunteer, and get involved. I can’t wait. I’m so delighted that we’ll once again be entertained and inspired by the sounds and visuals of a driver hitting a ball at over 160 mph with a ball speed of 200 mph! As we get closer to September, I’ll make certain my readers are informed each month at www.suindependent.com. Select “culture,” and then select “golf.”
See ya on the links.
