Corey Culver
In another busy weekend for Amateur Long Drive, Inc and the ULD™ Championship Series, long drivers in the USA and Canada took the grid to #DriveForShow!. Reigning 2018 ULD™ World Champion, Corey Culver rose back to the top of the standings in the Open Men’s division after being knocked off last week by ULD™ Canada’s, Brandon Gay.
Clash In Cola
The Ald™ USA Western Carolinas League season opener was held Saturday the 6th of April at Par Tee Golf Center in Cayce, SC. Tournament Director, Matt (Moby) Ellenburg brought a great show to the SC Midlands by presenting a strong field of competitors. The Open Men’s division included both 2018 ULD™ World Champion, Corey Culver and 2018 ULD™ Open Division Champ, Ryan Thiele. Thiele bombed a 341 yard drive into a left to right headwind in his first round to set the pace. That drive proved to be unbeatable as Michael (Sasquatch) Byrley, making his season debut, came close… just ahead of Culver. Mark Brown, Ben Sutton, Matt Thomas, Michael Stickley, Jonathan Smith, Tim Brown, Shane Bell, and Garrett Gardner, rounded out a very strong Open Men’s division. Michelle Scanlin made her 2018 debut in the Open Women’s division, and Cortney Porro bombed her way into the World Rankings at the number two spot behind Canada’s Jenna Habib. Todd Baxley continues his reign at the top of the rankings for the Senior Men’s division after a strong performance in this event, but Raymond Reitzel won the division in his first event of the season. Newcomer, Daryl McCummings made his ULD™ debut proving to be a future force in this division. Neal Causey and Brian Stefan continue to accumulate points as they climb through the world rankings. Always putting on a great show, Henry O’Grady made his return to competition in the Junior Adaptive division for this year by putting (as usual) most of his balls in the grid. Henry showed some improved distance this year after joining the Shark Attack team with Coach Moby.
The next Western Carolinas Event is Uprising in the Upstate April 27th in Travelers Rest, SC. Register HERE and show us you’r long enough to #DriveForShow!
Battle In Bolivia
Back-to-back Saturday and Sunday events in the Carolinas had several competitors taking advantage of the points grab. The third event of the season for the Coastal Carolinas League was hosted by the gorgeous Carolina National course in Bolivia, North Carolina. The 400 yard range wasn’t really tested due to yet another strong headwind, but the competition was just as strong. Scottie Pearman made his ULD™ debut proving to be a force in the Open Men’s division posting a 314 yard bomb (all carry) into the wind. Garrett Gardner redeemed himself from a less than stellar performance the day before at the Clash by showing why he belongs in this division. Matt Thomas, and Mark Brown also traveled to Boliva after the Clash to make their presence known. Stewart Poit topped the Senior Men’s division with a consistent Todd Baxley close behind. Neal Causey and Brian Stefan rounded out the Senior Men’s division. Newcomer Jill Morgan showed us why she will be a contender in the Senior Women’s division in her ULD™ debut. Watch out ladies….she’s a bomber! Garrett Leffler made his third event of the season in the 70+ division and out drove younger hitters in the Senior and Super Senior divisions. Mr. Leffler, you are in inspiration!
The next Coastal Carolinas event on the schedule is the Grande Slam at Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach on July 13th, but check the schedule HERE for new events to be posted this week. We’re working on an event at Patriots Point in Charleston under the lights and at least 2 more in Myrtle Beach this season.
ULD™ Canada Ontario GTA
Series and Tournament Commissioner, Fareen Samji had the season opener for the Ontario GTA Series on Saturday the 6th of April. Still indoors, the Canadian series is showing some amazing strength. We’re especially proud of the Youth and Junior participation already this season. The power shown at this event was extremely impressive with Junior Male hitters Josh Fowler and Nathaniel Lamont going 350 and 313 respectively. Junior Female contenders Olivia Sargla and Skyer Kew pounded longest drives of 277 and 230 respectively. Youth Female hitter Zhana Navato went 233 in her series debut. The Open Men’s division of Lucas Fantauzzo, Christian Hackney, Ryan Moore, Mike Zulauf, Matt Kendou, and Nathan Graves was extremely competitive with only 17 yards (356 – 339) separating longest to shortest. Lucas Fantauzzo and Christan Hackney had to go to a playoff to determine the winner after posting drives less than 6 inches apart in length. Fantauzzo came out on top. Open Female hitter, Kelly Rudney, Senior Female hitter, Deanne Walton, and Super Senior Male hitter, Doug Downey made their debut into ULD™ and World Ranking status.
The next event on the schedule for ULD™ Canada is Sat April 27th – 9 am at Swing Lounge in Etobicoke, Ontario ( indoor event ). Get your Tour Card and sign up HERE for this event.
See updated World Rankings HERE.
Get your Tour Card and prove check strength among the best amateur long drivers in the world. Are you long enough? Click HERE to start.
