Golf Channel shines spotlight on Mesquite
Special to MLN

The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship took an epic jump in 2013 with a new long-term partnership with Golf Channel, receiving unprecedented exposure on the network with more than 190 hours of national and international airtime. The partnership continues to build in 2014 with the second-annual Long Drive Month. October is Long Drive Month on Golf Channel, with the first of three episodes chronicling the compelling qualifying competition that leads to the final 8 debuting Oct. 14.

Shows will air Oct. 21 and 28 and then the live finals on Nov. 4 from Las Vegas A final highlights show will air on NBC in December for the second year in a row. Once again, Mesquite will receive prime coverage as much of the content from the series emanates from Mesquite and the Mesquite Sports and Event Complex.

“As part of our mission to cover all aspects of the game, the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship not only adds another compelling golf competition to our schedule – because everyone loves the long drive – but it also lends itself to being integrated into other programming that our viewers love, like instruction,” said Tom Knapp, Senior Vice President of Programming, Golf Channel.

Long Drive superstars will be a part of several different shows on Golf Channel and throughout the summer RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship regional results have been aired on the official Golf Channel score ticker. Defending champion Tim Burke has also made several appearances on Golf Channel programming including a memorable segment when he hit drives off a balcony of the Ritz Carlton which is located near Golf Channel studios.

Golf Channel RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Schedule:
Oct. 14 – 7 p.m.      Oct. 21 – 7 p.m.       Oct. 28 – 7 p.m.       Nov. 4 –7 p.m.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Open Divison
Matt Hanger, Final 8, 2013
Joe Miller, 2010 World Champion and 2013 Runner-Up

Joe Miller took the title in 2010

Jamie Sadlowski, 2008-09 Champion, Final 8 in 2013
Carl Wolter, Two-time Champion
Jason Zuback, five-time champion
Ryan Winter, 2012 Champion
Ben Tua’One, Top Three Desert Launch
Trent Scruggs, Young gun (20) is ready.

Tim Burke

Senior Division

The Defender: Stephen Kennedy

Others: David Mobley, George Slupski, Brian
Pavlet, James East.
Super Senior
The Defender: Pat Dempsey
Others: Vince Ciurlini, Johan Tumba, Bobby Wilson.

Grand Champion

The defender: Bobby Wilson

Others: Pat Dempsey, Frank Miller, Jack Crutchfield.

Legends

The defender: Miguel Jaime

Others: Thomas Proben, Mike Gorton, Dave Zajac.

Masters

The defender: Rick Barry (out with injury)

Others: Steve Clement, Doug Milller, Rick Scott.

Ladies

The defender: Heather LeMaster

Others: Sandra Carlborg, Jessica Wallstrom

SCHEDULE

2014 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Schedule of Events
Mesquite Sports and Event Complex, 1635 World Champion Way (Bertha Howe Ave.).

Sunday, Sept. 21
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Super Senior Division (Groups 1-2, Rounds 1-9)
1 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. — Legends Division (Groups 1-3, Rounds 1-9)
3:45 p.m. – 5 p.m. — Ladies Division (Rounds 1-7)

Monday, Sept. 22
9 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. – Senior Division (Groups 1-3, Rounds 1-4)
1 – 2 p.m. – Senior Division (Rounds 5-8)
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. – Grand Champions Division (Rounds 1-7)
4 – 5 p.m. – Masters Division (Rounds 1-7)

Tuesday, Sept. 23
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DAY
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Masters Division Final
Legends Division Semifinal & Final
Ladies Division Semifinal & Final
Grand Champions Division Semifinal & Final
Super Senior Division Semifinal & Final
Senior Division Quarterfinal, Semifinal & Final

Wednesday, Sept. 24
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Open Division Last Chance Qualifier

Thursday, Sept. 25
9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Open Division Elimination Rounds (Groups 1-8, Rounds 1-7)

Friday, Sept. 26
9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Open Division Elimination Rounds (Groups 9-16, Rounds 1-7)

Saturday, Sept. 27
OPEN DIVISION FINAL 8 DETERMINATION
10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. — Open Division Elimination Rounds (Rounds 8-13)

All events are FREE and Open to the Public. For more information, visit www.LongDrivers.com.

Past Winners:

Ladies
2000 — Stacey Shinnick, 249
2001 — Lee Brandon, 291/3
2002 — Stacey Shinnick, 292/12
2003 — Nancy Abiecunas, 332/16
2004 — Sally Dee, 287/17.5
2005 — Stacey Shinnick, 311/21
2006 — Phillis Meti 326/13
2007 — Sheila Kelliher 329-
2008 — Lana Lawless 254/11
2011 — Sandra Carlborg, 285
2012 — Sandra Carlborg, 339
2013 — Heather LeMaster, 306

Masters
2011 — Rick Scott, 280
2013 — Rick Barry, 334

Legends
2010 — Rick Barry, 351
2011 – Michael Hooper, 340
2012—David Brinker, 344
2013 – Miguel Jaime, 340
Grand Champions
2007 – Rick Barry, 349
2008 – Rick Barry, 285
2010 – Thomas Proben, 366
2011 – Pat Dempsey, 381
2012 – Jack Crutchfield, 354
2013 – Bobby Wilson, 365

Super Seniors
2003 – Fred Hooter, 345
2004 – Fred Hooter, 327
2005 – Steve Griffith, 320
2006 – Doug Miller, 326
2007 – Mike Gorton, 340
2008 – Mike Gorton, 301
2009 – Bobby Wilson, 362
2010 – Frank Miller, 367
2011 – Pat Dempsey, 367
2012 — Eric Jones, 369
2013 – Pat Dempsey

Senior
1995 — Michael Hooper, 333
1997 – Michael Hooper, 371
1998 – Michael Hooper, 354
1999 – Fred Hooter, 352
2000 – Mike Gorton, 310
2001 – Ted Fostey, 357
2002 – Pat Dempsey, 342
2003 – Eric Jones, 381
2004 – Bobby Wilson, 360
2005 – Gerry James, 366
2006 – Gerry James, 378
2007 – Frank Miller, 394
2008 – Dan Boever, 366
2009 – Bobby Wilson, 374
2010 – George Slupski, 389
2011 – David Mobley, 459
2012 – Eric Lastowka, 355
2013 – Stephen Kennedy, 369

Open
1995 – Sean Fister, 362
1996 – Jason Zuback, 351
1997 – Jason Zuback, 412
1998 – Jason Zuback, 361
1999 – Jason Zuback, 373

2000 – Viktor Johannson, 315
2001 – Sean Fister, 376
2002 – Carl Wolter, 384
2003 – Clayton Burger, 402
2004 – David Mobley, 377
2005 – Sean Fister, 377
2006 – Jason Zuback, 368
2007 – Mike Dobbyn, 385
2008 – Jamie Sadlowski, 418
2009 – Jamie Sadlowski, 384
2010 – Joe Miller, 414
2011 – Carl Wolter, 409
2012 – Ryan Winther, 343
2013 – Tim Burke, 427