The Battle for World #1
Mark Brown
ULD™ applies World Ranking Points to players in division, league, and overall categories. The battle for World Number One ranking in the ULD™ Open Men’s division (and overall) has been a good one. After being taken down by Will Cashin a few weeks ago, Mark Brown played his way back to the top….but only by 50 points last week. As of the date of this publication, both players have at least one more event left on their respective home league schedules. Cashin has another shot at the July 27th Canada GTA event at Southern Pines Golf Club in Hamilton, Ontario. ULD™ Canada events have been well attended by some great talent, especially in the Open Men’s division. So Cashin has a very good opportunity to “Cash In” on the number one spot by finishing on or near the top in that event. The competition in that series has been tight as Matt Kindou continues to put up some great numbers closing in on the season’s final home series event. . Mark Brown has two opportunities (1 in the Coastal Carolinas League & 1 in the Western Carolinas League) to gain some points, but will most likely only play one event. Matt Kindou is certainly in position with a chance to win this race for World #1.
Will Cashin
All three hitters have already qualified for the Worlds through one or more of the *Five Pathways to the ULD™ Worlds, but don’t be surprised to see one or all three in the Last Chance Qualifier August 15th in Myrtle Beach just for the opportunity to get double points and solidify the spot as World #1 going into the August 16th & 17th ULD™ World Championship in Myrtle Beach, SC. The player with the most overall points for the series will get their entry fees paid (reimbursed) into the ULD™ World Championship. The Open division continues to produce the most points across the series due to size of the fields in that division. Points gained at the World Championship will determine who ultimately ends up on top with bragging rights to the spot….at least until the first event of the 2019/2010 season when the World Ranking Points system resets.
Cortney Porro
Cortney Porro sits atop the Open Women’s division by a slim margin over Western Carolinas League teammate, Michelle Scanlan. Kelly Rudney is right there in third place. All three hitters have opportunities to earn additional points this season before the LCQ.
Todd Baxley is in control of the Senior Men’s division points heading into the close of the regular season, but don’t be surprised to see him competing at the LCQ to sure up his shot to remain World #1 in the Senior Men’s division.
*Five Pathways to the ULD™ Worlds. – Players may advance to the world championship: 1. World Ranking; 2. League / Series Division Championship; 3. Regional Major Division Win; 4. Competition Performance Index (CPI – Points x events); and 5. Wildcards.
Midwestern Regional – Justice at Jester Park Presented by EK Golf
Trey Gilliland
Bret Martin
The Midwestern Regional Qualifier, Justice at Jester Park presented by EK Golf was held July 13th in Granger Iowa. Competitors in Open Men, Senior Men, and Super Senior Men competed for the transfer to the ULD™ Worlds. Trey Gilliland came out on top in the Open Men’s division in extra sets beating Bret Marin (356 to 349) on the sixth and last ball of the event. Shannon Dullum won the Senior Men’s division with a drive of 294 yards, and Richard Flanagan won the Super Senior Division with a drive of 303 yards.
Five Events Left – Three Regular Season, LCQ, and ULD™ Worlds
As the 2018/2019 season winds down, there are five more regular season events on the schedule. ULD™ Canada has one more left in the GTA Series at Southern Pines Golf Club in Hamilton, Ontario on July 27th. The Western Carolinas League has one event left at Spring Park Range in Travelers Rest, SC on the 27th, and the Coastal Carolinas League will finish their regular season in Bolivia, NC at Carolina National on the 28th. These remaining events have potential implications on the standings for local (league / series) and World Ranking. See remaining event Schedule HERE.
You Can Still Play Your Way To The ULD™ Worlds At The LCQ
The Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), August 15th (August 17th for Youth and Juniors) at Barefoot Resort & Golf is, as the name states, the last chance to get into the 2019 ULD™ Worlds. Division winners from this event will automatically transfer into he The ULD™ Worlds Competition Rounds the following day. Along with the division winners, there are still a few Wildcards left to assign to various divisions. Players coming to the LCQ should note that check in for all divisions except Youth and Junior is 8 AM Thursday August 15th at the World Championship grid at Barefoot Resort & Golf in Myrtle Beach, SC. Youth and Junior check in is Saturday August 17th at 8 AM. Youth and Junior LCQ is schedule is 9 AM – 10 AM. See competition schedule HERE.
North Beach Plantation – MyrtleBeachGolf.com
2019 ULD™ World Championship Presented by MyrtleBeachGolf.com & Short Par 4
The 2019 ULD™ World Championship Presented by MyrtleBeachGolf.com and Sort Par 4 will be held at Barefoot Resort & Golf Friday and Saturday August 16th and 17th. All competition and championship rounds will be played on those two days beginning at 10 AM Friday. See the entire (preliminary) ULD™ World Championship Schedule HERE. Check back often as final commitments to the Worlds may create variances in final schedules.
New ULD™ Territories, Leagues, and Majors for 2019/2020
ULD™ India
ULD™ has reached an agreement to bring the ULD™ Championship Series to India for the 2019/2010 season. More details will released prior to the beginning of the new season. Plans are to create a series of events in the coming season with competitors playing their way to the 2020 ULD™ Worlds.
In the USA
ULD™ hitters may add San Diego, CA, Sacramento, CA, and Maryland as new competition opportunities. There are discussions in process regarding at least 3 more leagues (Los Angles, CA, Nebraska, and Kentucky).
Dates for Two Majors Confirmed
The first Major of the new season will be October 12th at Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton, NY. This Northeastern Regional Qualifier will be conducted in partnership with Traveled Events, LLC with the goal of creating ULD™ Leagues throughout the Northeastern USA.
An agreement has been reached and plans have begun for the first Southeastern Regional Qualifier January 25th at Pompano Beach Golf Club in Pompano Beach, FL. Getting this date confirmed leaves two, possibly three more to be determined. ULD™ is specifically working to create a Major in Northwestern USA and Texas for the coming season. Other areas are also being considered.
Lodging and Other Activities For ULD™ Championship Weekend
All those planning to attend the ULD™ Worlds may take advantage of Championship Weekend Lodging Deals HERE. The addition of MyrtleBeachGolf.com as Presenting Sponsor for the event adds several more lodging options including a full range of ocean-front choices.
All attendees should plan to arrive by Thursday night August 15th for the Championship Weekend Welcome Party at House of Blues. Friday’s competition will be followed by Championship Pre-Party at Lulus. The Awards Ceremony will take place on the Tee Box Saturday evening after the Open Finals followed by the Championship After-party at Putters Pub just 10 yards behind the Tee Box.
Age 4 To 77 – #FamilyLongDrive
7 Year Old Liam Breece & 4 Year Old Langston Josue
Donald Bunting
This season has seen competitors on the tee from age four to seventy-seven. Four year old Langston Josue is the youngest hitter to compete and seventy-seven year old Donald bunting is the oldest. We’ve had one occasion of three generations on the tee (Grandfather, Father, Son), as well as Father /Son competitors and a couple of Grandfather /Grandson competitors. The grassroots of long drive are being woven tightly for the future of the sport as ULD™ continues to attract competitors of all ages and abilities.
World Ranking