November 5, 2014 – It was a night of inches, in which Jeff Flagg, 29 years old of Pelham (Alabama, U.S.), got the 13 extra he needed Tuesday to win the 2014 RE/MAX World Drive Championship, along with the coveted championship belt and winner-take-all $250,000.
Tied at 365 yards after their requisite six drives in the championship match, Flagg and 43-year-old Jeff Crittenden, the oldest competitor in the fieldcoming from Greensboro (North Caroline, U.S.), waited anxiously for an exact measurement to the inch that would break the tie and determine who would be the ultimate winner. With a Callaway Golf X2 HOT Driver Flagg’s drive bested Crittenden by a mere 13 inches, which proved to be the shortest margin of victory in the history of the RE/MAX World Drive Championship competition.
Flagg and Crittenden advanced to the finals after eliminating Joe Miller and Adam Smith in the semifinals.
“I thought I had him,” said Jeff Flagg, “but if there’s anything I learned from baseball is that you can’t get to high or too low until it’s a done deal.” Flagg took up long driving after a baseball career at Mississippi State University (where he was teammates with fellow Las Vegas 8 competitor Connor Powers) and with the New York Mets organization.
Speed and power were on display in front of a packed audience during the two-hour, live finale, which aired on Golf Channel from a custom-made competition set at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. Eight finalists – the Las Vegas 8 – competed in head-to-head matches requiring all to conquer the conditions in attempts to hit drives requiring both distance and accuracy. Of the total seven head-to-head matches, five were decided by two yards or less.
Crosswinds and crisp temperatures created a challenging environment, making it difficult for all players to hit the grid or reach the distances to which they have become accustomed.
Headlining the field of eight heading into the night were returning former champions Joe Miller of London (England), and Jamie Sadlowski of St. Paul (Alberta, Canada), who faced off early in the telecast, with victory for the European. The other competitors included: Daniel Beckman, of Fresno (California, U.S.); Matt Hanger of Anaheim (California, U.S.); Connor Powers of Naperville (Illinois, U.S.), and Adam Smith of Tomball (Texas, U.S.).
The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship identifies the longest golfer on earth. Flagg said he was humbled by the experience and hopes to be an ambassador for the sport of Long Drive. He celebrated with members of his family and girlfriend who travelled to Las Vegas for the competition.
