Three Specials in October Showcase the Awe-Inspiring Drives That Can Make or Break Hopes and Dreams of the Golfers Who Live to Hit it Long
Eight of the Longest Hitters in the World will Compete Live, Under the Lights of Las Vegas for World Championship Title and Winner-Take-All Prize of $250,000
ORLANDO, Fla. – The thrill of the long ball – with its ridiculously fast swings and drives that regularly soar in excess of 400 yards – is back on Golf Channel in October with the return of Long Drive Month, which leads to the live spectacle of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from Las Vegas.
“Long driving is a hidden gem within the world of golf that brings an exciting programming complement to Golf Channel’s air and tells the stories of the golfers who live every waking hour trying to figure out how to hit the ball longer,” said Tom Knapp, senior vice president of programming, Golf Channel. “Long drive continues to grow around the world, and we’re excited to capture and showcase this sport that not only is a thrill-a-minute, but also awe-inspiring for our Golf Channel viewers.”
Over the course of three hour-long specials in October – premiering at 10 p.m. ET on consecutive Tuesdays beginning Oct. 14 – viewers will see dramatic qualifying from hopeful golfers around the world, from grassroots local and regional qualifying to championship qualifying in Mesquite, Nev. Profiles of the golfers that compete will be part of the mix, as will examinations of the science and strategies behind the long ball.
Long Drive Month schedule:
- Tues., Oct.14, 10 p.m. ET RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship – Qualifying
- Tues., Oct. 21, 10 p.m. ET RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship – Elimination Rounds
- Tues., Oct. 28, 10 p.m. ET RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship – Semifinals
- Tues., Nov. 4, 10 p.m. ET RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship – Finals (Live)
Golf Channel also will integrate the long drive theme into other programming throughout the month. Instructional programs like The Golf Fix and School of Golf will feature long-driving tips in each episode aired during the month, as well as dedicating an entire episode to hitting it farther. The shows will welcome former World Long Drive Champions to share their secrets.
The culmination of Long Drive Month will be the winner-take-all $250,000 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, airing under the lights and live on Golf Channel Tuesday, Nov. 4. The longest eight golfers on Earth recently were determined following three days of grueling competition. The finals will be televised live on Golf Channel from the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. The finalists are (last round qualifying drive distance):
- Daniel Beckman (396 yards; Fresno, California)
- Jeff Crittenden (398 yards; Greensboro, North Carolina)
- Jeff Flagg (397 yards; Pelham, Alabama)
- Matt Hanger (403 yards, 2nd-straight final 8 appearance; Anaheim, California)
- Joe Miller (393 yards, 2010 World Champion, 2nd-straight final 8 appearance; London, England)
- Connor Powers (402 yards; Naperville, Illinois)
- Jamie Sadlowski (409 yards, 2008-09 World Champion, 8th-straight final 8 appearance; St. Paul, Alberta, Canada)
- Adam Smith (397 yards; Tomball, Texas)
Golf Channel anchor Ryan Burr will provide play-by-play; Michael Breed, host of The Golf Fix, will offer analysis on the driving grid; and Lauren Thompson, co-host of Morning Drive, will handle interviews. Art Sellinger, long-drive pioneer, two-time national long-drive champion and owner of the Long Drivers of America, also will be on hand to provide long drive analysis.
"These final eight epitomize what the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship is about," said Sellinger. "We have three nations represented, three returning finalists from 2013, two former champions, three players with strong baseball backgrounds and a seasoned vet at 44 years old. I expect a very competitive final at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. Each of the eight has a great chance to win."
In October 2012, Long Drivers of America announced a new, three-year broadcast partnership with Golf Channel, which moved the RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP to the network after 17 years on ESPN. This annual world championship of long driving has taken place each year since 1975 and attracts competitors from all over the world. Participation in competitions has nearly tripled and prize money has increased five-fold. Finalists in the competition often have swing speeds of up to 150 miles per hour and can hit the ball more than 400 yards, which is more than 100 yards longer than the average PGA TOUR professional.
About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital services including Golf Channel Mobile; GolfNow, the world’s largest online booking platform; GolfAdvisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal; the interactive Golf Channel Academy instructional app; and the Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.