Oregon Mail Tribune, August 20, 2001 "Big Gun's Come Out for Long Drive Competition."

By: Dustin Melton

Of the Mail Tribune

August 20, 2001

The top names in long ball from around the country gathered at the Eagle Point Golf Course on Sunday vying for the opportunity to prove who is the best.

They did not disappoint.

Gerry James, the former world record holder in long drive competition from Irvine, Calif., blasted a ball 356 yar5s, one foot, seven inches to take first place in the open division at the RE/MAX World Long Drive District 4 Championships. By winning, James subsequently ensured himself a spot in the long drive finals to be held in Mesquite, Nevada.

Lee Brandon of Los Angeles, who has the longest women’s drive in North America this year at 319 yards, also grabbed an automatic berth in the finals after crushing a ball 289 yards, two feet, eight inches to win the women’s division.

"This was the toughest field I’ve ever seen," event organizer and competitor James Lewis said. "The top 30 players in the world were here and the guys on top really brought the ‘A’ game."

Tomislav Kralj of Dublin Calif., who owns the longest drive in North America this year at 462 yards and 30 inches, did mash a drive of 369 yards in the second round, but was unable to keep any of his final round balls within the 43-yard grid.

In the final round each of the 41 contestants hit six Pinnacle Titanium Extreme Distance golf balls within a five-minute time limit into a 43-yard grid and had their longest drive measured.

Arnie Kvarnberg also punched his ticket to Mesquite. Kvarnberg rocketed a ball 368 yards for first place in the senior division. Kvarnberg edged out Obie Anderson, who’s best ball went 365 yards. On the day Anderson hit two balls over 365 yards.

Capturing the last two qualifying spots were Brad Pemberton, 337 yards, and John Colborne, who was just behind Pemberton’s mark at 335.

The windy conditions that marred last year’s final found competition did not make a repeat appearance.

"The weather could not have been better for the event," Lewis said. "It was a fantastic competition, the wind never caused a problem."

Last year’s open division champ Tom Celone of Reno failed to defend his title after managing only 335 yards.

Simon Birrell of Portland was unable to keep any of his six shots within the 43-yard gird in the final round.

A total of 144 competitors (96 open division, 32 senior, 16 women) will clash at the finals set for October 16-20 with the winner taking home $80,000.