Long Drive King Blasts Record 418-Yard Drive to Win Title, $250,000
By Deborah Ball, RE/MAX Times Associate Editor
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Golf’s power event crowned a new king after a 20-year-old Canadian competitor blasted a record 418-yard drive in the Open Division finals of the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.
Jamie Sadlowski of St. Paul, Alberta, is no long drive rookie - he won the Junior Championship title twice. This time, his power drive earned him a record prize of $250,000 and the title of golf’s reining power hitter after his performance in the finals on Oct. 25 in Mesquite, Nev.
“You know, I’ve dreamed about it, to be standing on this tee box with one of those trophies,” Sadlowski said. “To win as an open champion, it’s unbelievable right now.”
The former junior hockey player had hit an astonishing 434-yard drive in the qualifying rounds, and says he believed he had the distance to do well.
“It’s really more mental than anything,” he said. “Put a good swing on it and hit it solid, and that’s what I did to come out on top.”
Sadlowski defeated 21-year-old Dewald Gouws of Westonaria, South Africa, who launched a 415-yard drive on his march to the final, but drove for 387 yards in the final showdown.
The previous RE/MAX finals record of 412 yards was held by long drive legend and fellow Canadian Jason Zuback.
Four other champions walked away with their division’s title at the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. They were:
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| CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: Nearly 3,000 fans packed the stands to watch the Open Division finals in Mesquite, Nev. |
- Dan Boever, a longtime competitor from Rogersville, Mo., took the Senior Division with a 366-yard drive. Boever outdrove Super Senior champ Mike Gorton by 10 yards, taking the winner’s crown and a $50,000 check.
- Mike Gorton of Erie, Colo., came out on top in the Super Senior Division (ages 53 and up) with a winning 301-yard drive. The fan favorite pocketed $20,000 and added to his extensive trophy collection that also includes the 1987 U.S. National Long Drive title.
- Lana Lawless, a former Los Angeles police officer and top long drive contender, won the Women’s Division with a 254-yard drive, despite headwinds gusting over 30 mph. Lawless beat Phillis Meti of Auckland, New Zealand, who came in second with a 250-yard drive.
- Rick Barry, an NBA Hall of Famer from Colorado Springs, Colo., was a repeat winner in the Grand Champion Division (ages 61 and up) with a 285-yard drive in brutally windy conditions.
In the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship sponsored by 7Up, Ryan Hixson successfully defended his title. Hixson, who serves in the U.S. Coast Guard, outdrove six other finalists with a 389-yard blast to win top honors and a $10,000 prize.
From the first qualifying hit in January and various regional events to the live championship in Mesquite and broadcasts on ESPN, the RE/MAX Balloon and name was omnipresent throughout this year’s season. The RE/MAX network’s brand presence created countless consumer impressions around the world.
More than 10,000 golfers competed in local and regional contests at more than 300 sites around the world this year for the chance to get to the finals.
“This year’s competition was stiff,” said Art Sellinger, CEO of Long Drivers of America. “These long drivers represent the very best from qualifying competitions held across the country and around the world. We’re proud to recognize their tremendous talents.”
Tune in for the action
Don’t miss a moment of the action. ESPN will air the finals at 3 p.m. ET on Christmas Eve; ESPN2 will follow suit at 2 p.m. ET on Christmas Day.
Copyright © 2008 RE/MAX International Inc. 10/28/08
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