SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Feb. 3, 2005 – Qualifying is underway for the premier event in power golf, the 2005 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, Long Drivers of America (LDA) has announced.

Golfers across North America and around the world will be seeking to advance through local and district qualifying events and earn a spot in the 256-hitter field at the 2005 RE/MAX world finals, set for a October 18-22 run at The Palms GC in Mesquite, Nevada.

The 2005 finals, which mark the beginning of the second decade of RE/MAX International's title sponsorship, offer a record total purse of $450,000. The open division champion, universally recognized as the longest hitter in golf, will collect a cool $100,000.

Denver-based RE/MAX International announced at the 2004 WLDC finals last fall a five-year extension of its title sponsorship through 2009. Other primary sponsors of golf's ultimate swingfest include Pinnacle, King Cobra, Penley, Club Glove, Antigua apparel, Lamkin grips, Las Vegas Events, Mesquite Resort Association, Golf Tips magazine and Mr. and Mrs. T's.

"Clearly, the remarkable success of this international grass roots golf event can be linked to the support we receive from RE/MAX and its global network of real estate professionals," said Art Sellinger, chief executive officer of Long Drivers of America (LDA), which annually stages power golf's marquee event.

RE/MAX championship week in scenic Mesquite, located roughly 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas, will feature competition in four adult divisions: open, women, senior (45-54) and super senior (55-up). The competition is open to professional and amateur golfers alike.

Entry fees for RE/MAX local qualifying events are $30 for open and senior division entrants; $20 for women and super seniors. Competitors cannot use drivers that exceed 50" in overall length, using LDA's standard vertical measurement.

For complete 2005 RE/MAX WLDC rules and regulations, as well as a comprehensive list of dates, sites and times for local qualifiers, visit www.longdrivers.com.

Where are the kids?

LDA had also announced that in 2005 it would conduct a separate world long drive championship for junior golfers (both boys and girls) 18 and under.

Junior divisions were added to the RE/MAX WLDC in 2002. Based on an exuberant response from teenagers, a revamped 2005 RE/MAX World Junior Long Drive Championship will be introduced later this year.

Juniors competing at 36 local qualifying events will be grouped by age: 9-under; 10-12; 13-15; 16-18.

Qualifying for the RE/MAX JWLDC will take place throughout the spring and summer, with the finals scheduled for August at a site to be determined. Entry fees for junior hitters at RE/MAX local qualifiers (the district round will be eliminated, meaning local winners advance straight to the finals) are $10. More information about the RE/MAX WJLDC will be available shortly at www.longdrivers.com.

"LDA and RE/MAX recognize the value of wrapping the junior long drive competition into an exciting package all its own," said Sellinger. "We also believe it's imperative to conclude the event before Labor Day and not have it interfere with school activities in the fall."

"We've received tremendous response from junior golfers the past two years," Sellinger added. "With the modifications we're making to the event this year, plus winding it up before the end of August, we expect long drive participation by juniors will escalate. Kids love hammering the ball hard and taking it deep."

Reigning Champions

Reigning RE/MAX world long drive champions are David Mobley (open), Sally Dee (women), Bobby Wilson (senior) and Fred Hooter (super senior). Their winning drives at the 2004 RE/MAX WLDC finals, where thunderstorms during championship week slowed the grid appreciably and turned the event into a carryfest, were: Mobley, 377+ yards; Dee, 287+ yards; Wilson, 360+ yards; Hooter, 327+ yards.

Hooter is two-time defending champion in the super senior division. The Auburn, Alabama resident has been RE/MAX world champion both years of the division's existence. At age 62 next fall, Hooter will attempt a threepeat against some hitters seven years his junior. Hooter also won the 1998 RE/MAX WLDC senior division at the age of 55.

"We ultimately hope to create a senior division and super senior division for women," said Sellinger. "Right now, though, we're looking for more competitors at the local and district level. The women's division has been underpublicized and underpromoted and that's on us. We have to do a better job of introducing female golfers to the fun and excitement inherent in long drive competition."

RE/MAX WLDC field

The field for the 2005 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finals in Mesquite breaks down as follows:

Open Division -- 128 hitters
Women's Division -- 32 hitters
Senior Division (45-54) -- 64 hitters
Super Senior Division (55 and up) -- 32 hitters
Total: 256 hitters

Television coverage

LDA officials anticipate a highlights package of the 2005 RE/MAX WLDC finals, assembled by PGA Tour Productions, will once again appear on ESPN during the holiday season. In recent years, ESPN's presentation of long drive has become as much of a Christmas Day staple as turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce.

Recent airings of the 2004 RE/MAX WLDC on ESPN and ESPN2 have sparked a surge of interest in long drive. "We've had a cumulative audience to date of more than 1.6 million households, which represents a record for our sport," Sellinger said. "The increased exposure has created a flood of inquiries to the LDA office and website from newcomers interested in participating in long drive and becoming a member of Long Drivers of America.

"With the RE/MAX world championship, the revamped RE/MAX juniors and the debut of the 2005 Pinnacle Exceptional Driver Championship, a nationwide event for amateur golfers only designed to determine the best driver of the ball (see www.pinnaclegolf.com), LDA has plenty of activities for golfers to be excited about.

"That probably explains why so many people, despite it being in the dead of winter, are flocking to the practice tee and gearing up to launch their best-ever drives this year. If they can bring it off the tee, bring it on. We have plenty to offer."

Contact:
Russ Pate
(214) 349-3603

Steve Wiley
(817) 251-4698