Editor: Luis Kuronya luiskuronya@latinogmg.com
Contributors:
Olna Ford, Jason Atkins, Jeff Critteden, Mike Gays, Gabriel J. Le Roux, ALD and Alfredo Sanchez Gaitan.
Social Media
A special thanks to our friends on social networks, sharing information and images.
- We have reached the end of the year ! - For us the closing of our first year with an immense joy of having begun to enjoy an exciting sport. - We have known and sowed new friendships, accompanying the efforts of all the protagonists with the images, comments, interviews and results. - We congratulate all those who are part of this great family and have made the sport grow internationally. Thank all the support received from companies, professionals and LD fans ! - A new year is coming full of expectations and challenges, which promises to be fascinating. We will be working so that the young people join and grow together with the sport. - We hope to have more participation from companies, coaches and players to continue highlighting the qualities of the sport. - To all, we wish you Happy Holidays !
Sources:
World Lond Drive, Golf Channel, IGANZ, ALD and Latinoamerica Golf Management Group.
We join the Long Drive Show ! Luis Kuronya Executive Director
The text, opinions and views expressed
within this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions or the official policies of the editor and publisher. Products and services mentioned in this publication may be trademarks of their respective companies. Reproduction in whole or in part is authorized mentioning the source.
DECEMBER 2018 Vol. I No. 5
CopyrightŠ 2018 International Long Drive P.O Box 111 Greer SC 29650 info@latinogmg.com - www.latinogmg.com
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Boardroom Chat with Director of IGANZ Olna Ford Q; Tell us about the first Global Infinity Series Championship hosted in China Firstly I want to thank all the incredible Long Drivers from around the globe for creating History for the sport of Long Drive. The challenge of marking history in a country that the sport has never been promoted was all the more rewarding. Q; Tell us about Mission Hills Mission Hills represents a major landmark not just for Golf but of major business. An absolute wonder of minds behind this brand. I am so delighted that we marked history on Mission Hills, Haikou, Grounds. Q; What was the most challenging part of hosting the event in China The most challenging part of hosting the event in China came down to the different way that business is done. New Zealand is a very relaxed country to do business so our methods are very different. I’m certain each country we work with will present their variable ways that my crew will get accustomed to very quickly. Q; What was your highlight from the event My highlight had to be when the players and Ben Lummis took to Centreville stage for the awards night. It’s the moment when all stress has gone and the players can relax and enjoy themselves. A fabulous night spent with a great bunch of people and most definitely my highlight and the unforgettable memory. Q; Would you return to China Yes, absolutely and already planning this for 2019. 6 - INTERNATIONAL LONG DRIVE MAGAZINE - DECEMBER 2018
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THE PARALONG DRIVE CUP WORLD CHAMPION 2018 Full name Mike Gays Nickname Boom-Boom / Fore Right Age 29 Origin UK/Cambridge Career Owner of a Pet Shipping Company WWW. GLOBALPETRELOCATION.COM
Job Managing Director, we move pets for people doorto-door all around the world! Family Wife – Nina Son - Fraser Thomas Gays Dog – Laika, Cat – Mac Height / weight 6”2’ 220lbs How do you feel after winning the PLD Champ.? Awesome, it was so unexpected as all day I couldn’t get the 5 yards I needed to catch up with Chris who was killing it. When the final result came in it was shock and elation. A very long trip from the UK was worth the effort! Did you thought you could win? I went into the competition wanting to be top 3, I only started Para Long Drive in December 2017 (I lost my leg in October 2014). I was leading 8 - INTERNATIONAL LONG DRIVE MAGAZINE - DECEMBER 2018
after day one which made me realise it would be possible but the wind totally changed on day 2 and my ball flight was a little too high. My “caddy” James and I went to the range to find a low shot which we managed to get right just before the last hitting round. Who do you dedicate it to? My Wife Nina for putting up with me going to the range every evening for 3 months! How did you train for the event? 3 months solid of working on swing speed and improving strike. I play off 4 so have a good starting point, it was all about getting speed up from 100ish to 120. How we alternate sports and work? I run my own business so getting away to practice is not too difficult. It usually means a lot of working on the road and working late at night. The morning of the tournament I was working! How much training time and what kind? All driving range, every day before the tournament for 3 months. I was also using the superspeed sticks daily. What advice do you give to others to enjoy the LD? Grip it and rip it! Spectators should enjoying watching disabled athletes pushing the boundaries also.
A drink? Cold beer after a tournament! A meal? Steak with a side of Buffalo. wings A dessert? Can’t beat ice-cream. Favorite golf player? Tiger Woods Another sport that you like? I snowboard in the winter. In the UK we watch a lot of football (soccer). Team Birmingham City FC LD equipment used Taylormade M2 2017 with Oban Kiyoshi X shaft Swing speed 115-120 Greater distance ever and where? 358 to win the world championship Sponsors None! Mentor? Lee Cox, coach to Joe Miller and James Tait What will be the future? Retaining the title in Summer 2019 hopefully! Congratulations Mike !!!
Las Hadas Golf Club
Manzanillo MEXICO NOVEMBER 2018
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Bobby Peterson & Fareen Samji
WINNER USA Long Drive Team 1 Jacob Golliday, Brian Longball Lawler, Emily Tubert, Bobby Peterson (coach), Paul Howell and Landon Gentry. SECOND CANADA Long Drive Team Blue Mike Farnum, Ryan Gregnol Dan McIntosh, Kevin Blenkhorn and Irene Crowchild. THIRD CANADA Long drive Team Grey Jacob Gill, Cody Stuckless, Dan McIntosh, Rom Lampman and Cory Ann Pond. DECEMBER 2018 - INTERNATIONAL LONG DRIVE MAGAZINE - 11
Alexis Benton - USA
PHILLIS METI, ALEXIS BELTON, KAORI SAITO, ERINA NISHIYAMA, CINDY DALTON, NICOLA DICK & SANDRA CARLBORG Great competition with an excellent, even and vibrant Match Play. The Swedish in the final defeated the New Zealand Champion, to be crowned as the first GlS Champion.
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Cindy Dalton
South African Champion
& Phillis Meti
WLD Champion
Sandra was the longest hitter of the womens championship with 321 yardrs.
LANCE READER, STEPHEN KENNEDY, JEFF GAVIN, THOMAS PEPPARD, KEVIN BLENKHORN, BOBBY PETTERSON, AKITO KOGA & EDDIE FERNANDES Long hitters and legends in a really tought competition, with the final victory of the Canadian Jeff Gavin
Before the Match Play, the masters competed in double elimination sets until they reached the Top 4. Kevin Blenkhorn was the longest hitter in the masters championship with 385 yards.
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56 competitors of different nationalities gathered at the start of the event, divided into 4 groups playing 5 sets to determine the Top 32. Mission Hills was ready for a great competition among the best hitters in the world.
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Top 8 of each group, points and distances:
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In the Semi Finals Wes Patterson (USA) defeat James Tait (ENG) and Jeff Gavin (CAN) defeat Alex Lunn (NZ).
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NZ Idol Ben Lummis was spectacular. Many thanks to: Stuart, our local PGA Pro on the ground for the great assistance. The CHIMAC and Pub for the Long Drive party. Mission Hills for the hospitality. From the beginnig, our GIS staff: Jason Atkins (operations), Brad Russell (staff member), Colin and Shale (IGANZ Media), Wendy Wolfe - MC Olna- Organiser and event manager
Big thanks to all the players who helped out ! Olna Ford
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Congratulations Champions !!!
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East Coast Classic
Justin Moose 419 yards Columbia, SC March'18
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Clash In The Canyon Will Hogue 413 yards Mesquite, NV April'18
Clash In The Canyon Alexis Belton 332 yards Mesquite, NV April'18
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Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun Will Hogue 421 yards Phillis Meti 380 yards Phoenix, AZ May'18
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Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash
Mark Costello 360 yds Sandra Carlborg 292 yds Atlantic City, NJ June'18 OCTOBER 2018 - INTERNATIONAL LONG DRIVE MAGAZINE - 31
Bluff City Shootout Will Hogue 346 yds Memphis, TN June'18 18 - INTERNATIONAL LONG DRIVE MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2018
Bash for Cash Ryan Steenberg 409 yds Ontario, Canada July'18
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WinStar Midwest Slam Kyle Berkshire 356 yds Texas/Oklahoma July/Aug.'18
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Tennessee Big Shots Emily Tubert 322 yds Kingsport, TN Aug.'18 36 - INTERNATIONAL LONG DRIVE MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2018
Tennessee Big Shots Justin James 396 yds Kingsport, TN Aug.'18
47 years old Chester Pennsylvania Millersville University Golf professional PGA member 6' 2" - 235 lbs
How long have you played Long drive and why? Been in longdrive for 13 years keep trying to retire but keep findings ways to win. How many LD titles in your career? I have won 9 professional events total: 1 World Championship 2017 and one International win. If I need some tips to have a better swing with my driver, which would be? Swing tips- take all the tension out of your swing and work on path two biggest tips I can give. How we alternate sports and work? Since I have always been in the golf business it has been pretty easy to make both work. How much training time and what kind? Training time- off season in the gym 7 days a week weight training and explosive workouts. Plus supper speed training. Playing golf keeps my swing where I need it. What other golf activities you do to help another people? I am a PGA professional that helps people with swing and weight training all the time. What advice do you give young people who have just started? Longdrive is just like any other sport. You need to work at swing faster (gym) and swing mechanics. I find most LD people tendency to work on speed but not mechanics. It is a long road to get competitive at this sport. You need to stick with it and commit to the sport. Which are the golf benefits if I start to play Long Drive? Actually the sport has helped me immensely. The training and competing has kept me in shape and enjoyed competing. Longdrive is more of a family you will meet some of the nicest upstanding gentleman in any sports. A drink, meal and dessert? Drink- Corona Premier Meal- Nice steak, with sautĂŠed onions bake potatos overlooking the ocean! Dessert- Frozen Margarita Favorite golf player? Tiger woods because he energizes the golfing community. Another sport that you like? I played baseball in college and still play today. Team Philadelphia sports- Phillies, Eagles, 76ers.
LD equipment ? MOI driver, HOF shafts, golf pride grips. Swing speed? Max speed 140mph Greater distance ever and where? 491 yards at the Midwest Slam Sponsors? Volvik golf, Moi golf, HOF shafts, new balance shoes, golf pride grips, zero friction tees and gloves, TCDi, Muira golf irons. Mentor? Pat Dempsey, Jason Zuback and Dave Mobley. What will be the future? the competitive juices still flow and I want to win another open event and another world masters championship. Would love to move to commentating the sport of Long Drive.
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Sweden’s Emil Rosberg won "Under 45" with 370 yards and the longest ball with 388 yards.
Ireland’s William Hunt Tyrell won "Over 45"
Scotland’s Ilona Stubley won "Ladies" for second consecutive year.
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Maurice Allen was the winner ! In an emotional final Match, he defeated the Australian hitter Chase Mckeown at Remuera Golf Club. Congratulations !!!