In an email Friday afternoon, the MLN received the following message from the LDA organizers:
In response to numerous inquiries about qualifying dates and sites for the 2015 World Long Drive Championship, Long Drivers of America (LDA), today issued the following statement:
While LDA is focused on producing our sport’s marquee event for many years to come – continuing a rich legacy that dates to the mid-1990s – the harsh reality is that absent the financial underpinning a title sponsor provides, staging the WLDC in 2015 is untenable as the high-quality, premier event we have come to expect to represent the pinnacle of power golf.
As we make a concerted effort along with the long drive community, if anyone has a relationship with someone in corporate America that may want an opportunity to be involved with one of the best events in sports marketing, please do not hesitate to contact the LDA offices.
LDA continues to work exhaustively to secure title sponsorship for the 2015 World Championship. If the LDA is unable to formalize a relationship with a new title sponsor by the close of business on May 4, LDA intends to scratch the 2015 World Championship, but continue to diligently work on securing a new sponsorship partner to fund the event in 2016 and beyond.
In fairness to long drive competitors, as well as local and regional tournament organizers, we want everyone associated with the championship to understand the reality of our current situation. In long drive terms, we’re down to our sixth ball and the clock is expiring. Whether we go OB or hit the grid remains to be seen, but you can help by generating any leads with potential sponsors.
Get rid of Art and maybe they’ll pick up a sponsor!