September 24, 2014 – The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, from 20th to 27th of September in Mesquite, Nevada, already has the first six champions. The event on Tuesday started with news that the name of the street where the Mesquite Sports and Event Complex is located was changed to World Champion Way, and ended when Jeff Gavin hit a drive of 384 yards to win his first Senior Division world title.
In between, five other Long Drive athletes earned titles including Long Drivers of America Hall of Fame members Mike Gorton (Legends) and Bobby Wilson (Grand Champions). Sandra Carlborg won the Ladies Division for the third time in four years.
Also winning on Tuesday were Rick Scott (Masters) and Vince Ciurluini (Super Seniors). It was the second Masters win for Scott, but the first championship for Ciurluini. Scott defeated Buzz Berger and Roy Bechtol in the three-player Masters final. Ciurluini, nicknamed “the Pasta Man”, had been chasing a title for two decades, and he has defeated the Swedish Johan Tumba to win.
Jeff Gavin’s win in the Senior Division was also a long time in the making. He had competed in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship for 11 years, but never won. Gavin, almost speechless following his victory, was celebrating his honeymoon in Mesquite. It was an all Canadian final as Gavin defeated fellow countryman Kevin Blenkhorn.
The finals duel of the day was a rematch from 2013 in the Ladies Division. Sandra Carlborg and defending champion Heather LeMaster went swing for swing, and when LeMaster hit a drive of 315 yards to take the lead (Carlborg was already on the board with a 313-yard drive), it looked like the LeMaster would repeat. But Carlborg, from Sweden, who won the event in 2011 and 2012, hit a drive of 333 yards on her fifth of six balls to win going away. “I’m so happy … I’m so happy,” an excitedly-shaking Carlborg said after her match.
Mike Gorton’s win in the Legends Division was his fourth RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship title, but his first as a competitor in the Legends Division. “It was nice to be a rookie again at the age of 60,” he said following the match. Gorton defeated former RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Super Seniors winner Steve Griffith.
Bobby Wilson was very appreciative following his victory in the Grand Champions Division. “Being a competitor and a champion of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship has defined my life,” said Wilson, who won his fifth world title. “I am so thankful to RE/MAX, Long Drivers of America, Mesquite, Callaway Golf and all of the sponsors who make this event happen.” Wilson defeated fellow Long Drivers of America Hall of Fame member Pat Dempsey.
The Open Division now takes center stage at the Mesquite Sports and Event Complex. A field of 128 players will take to the tee and grid from Sept. 25-27 to determine the Las Vegas 8. The Las Vegas 8 will compete (live on Golf Channel Nov. 4 at 10 pm) from the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort for the 2014 world championship, $250,000 and the championship belt.
THE FINALS BY DIVISION
Masters (65+, 3-player final)
1. Rick Scott — Sioux City, IA (324y)
2. Buzz Burger — Glen Mills, PA (310y)
3. Roy Bechtol — Austin, TX (304y)
Legends (60+)
1. Mike Gorton — Erie, CO (332y)
2. Steve Griffith — Hamilton, OH (321y)
Ladies
1. Sandra Carlborg — Gothenburg, Sweden (333y)
2. Heather LeMaster — Sacramento, CA (315y)
Grand Champions (55+)
1. Bobby Wilson — Southlake, TX (364y)
2. Pat Dempsey — Sunland, CA (358y)
Super Seniors (50+)
1. Vince Ciurluini — Los Angeles, CA (372y)
2. Johan Tumba — Bromma, Sweden (350y)
Senior (45+)
1. Jeff Gavin — Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (384y)
2. Kevin Blenkhorn — Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada (361y)
