By ULD Founder & CEO, Jeff Gilder
Since 2017, Ultimate Long Drive (ULD) has operated as the world’s largest long drive organization by membership and annual events. Our mission has always been clear: create a sustainable foundation for the sport by making it accessible, inclusive, and developmental for athletes at every level. While some approaches focus on elite spectacles, ULD builds from the bottom up—developing talent, providing income opportunities, fostering community, and expanding globally through grassroots partnerships.
The Spark: Inspiration from ParaLong Drive and Dean Jarvis
My journey into long drive began in 2013 at a golf conference, where I first witnessed Dean Jarvis and his ParaLong Drive athletes—disabled veterans and others with physical challenges—competing with incredible skill and determination. Dean’s vision was to elevate a platform for differently-abled golfers, and I was inspired. From 2013 through 2016, I followed Dean across the country, capturing video highlights of his players to share their stories.
In 2016, I suggested bringing his ParaLong Drive Cup championship to Myrtle Beach for potential TV exposure. Dean agreed, and the event at Legends Golf Resort paired with what became the inaugural Amateur Long Drive World Championship. That gathering caught the attention of NBC Universal/The Golf Channel/World Long Drive, leading to our partnership starting in 2019. When COVID prompted NBC’s exit from long drive in 2020, ULD pivoted and doubled down on building an independent, inclusive ecosystem—one rooted in the grassroots spirit I first saw in Dean’s work.
Inclusive Competition for Everyone: Divisions and Pathways
ULD offers competition divisions for all. Athletes compete from ages 7U (7 and under) to 85+, with brackets tailored by age, gender, and ability. We include dedicated divisions for amateurs and professionals, adaptive athletes (playing with disabilities), and military/first responders (Valor Division). This 100% inclusive model ensures anyone can participate, compete against peers, and earn points toward regional majors, league championships, and the annual World Championship.
ULD operates leagues across the USA, hosting multiple events per territory where athletes accumulate points for qualification. The North American Tour features additional major events with automatic World Championship advancement for winners. At season’s end, League Championships serve as regional majors. Combined with over 200 annual U.S. events and sanctioned international competitions, ULD provides hundreds of opportunities yearly—creating real pathways from local leagues to the global stage.
Developing Talent and Providing Income: ULD Academy and ULDX
To help athletes progress, ULD runs the ULD Academy, led by certified trainers. The program features three distinct stages:
- Stage 1 and 2: Focused on physical development, building speed and technique fundamentals. Amateurs have seen ball speed gains of up to 40 mph as they advance.
- Stage 3: Competition preparation, including training plans leading up to events, day-of routines, set management, and per-ball strategies.
The Academy supports long drivers of all levels, with ongoing personal and video coaching.
For income and exposure, ULD partners on the Ultimate Long Drive Experience (ULDX), managed by ULD partner and 5-time world champion Jeff Crittenden. ULDX delivers professional showcases at charity events, corporate outings, and festivals—offering long drivers paid opportunities to perform, demonstrate skills, and raise funds. This creates meaningful revenue streams for talented athletes beyond competition prizes.
Global Grassroots Expansion: From Puerto Rico to India and Beyond
ULD’s growth extends internationally through exclusive territorial partnerships that replicate our proven USA model—leagues, majors, and World Championship qualifiers.
- In 2025, we partnered with TeeTime Ventures to launch long drive championships across India, introducing accessible leagues and events to build participation from the ground up.
- Also in 2025, an exclusive agreement with JRO Events brought official ULD leagues and qualifiers to Puerto Rico, positioning the island as a gateway for Latin and South America.
Similar discussions are underway for additional territories, aiming to add hundreds of venues and thousands of events worldwide. These efforts mirror ULD’s U.S. success: sustainable, operator-supported growth that prioritizes local communities and athlete development.
The People Powering ULD: Leadership, Operators, and Passionate Volunteers
At the core of ULD’s success is our dedicated team and the broader community that drives it forward.
Kevin Porter serves as President, overseeing all global operations. Kevin started as a Tournament Director in the Mid-Atlantic Territory, advanced to Vice President of Operations, and was promoted to President in 2024—embodying the internal growth and expertise that define ULD.
Brian Stefan has been with us since the beginning, serving as emcee at the original 2017 event. He later became National Tournament Director and now helps organize and execute the full tour and World Championship, ensuring smooth, high-quality events nationwide.
Jeff Crittenden was the first appointee to the ULD (then ALD) advisory board in 2017 and has remained a key part of the team ever since. As a 5-time world champion, he leads ULDX and contributes as Tour Advisor and Academy trainer, bringing elite-level insight to our programs.
Our regional Tournament Directors—technically licensees—are the true backbone of the ULD system. They deliver events at the local level, making the sport accessible in communities across the country and turning grassroots participation into real pathways for advancement.
Equally vital are our amazing volunteers, who bring passion and energy to every event. From setup and scoring to athlete support and community outreach, volunteers are the heartbeat of ULD. Our company and mission are truly driven by a shared love for the sport—without that collective dedication, none of this would be possible.
No Elite Sport Thrives Without a Strong Foundation
No elite-level sport succeeds long-term without a broad, active base. In 2017, I founded ULD because the sport of long drive lacked that foundation—few structured pathways for beginners, limited inclusivity, and insufficient development support. We’ve spent nearly a decade addressing those gaps: creating leagues for regular competition, academies for skill-building, experiences for income, global partnerships for reach, and a passionate team to sustain it all.
Today, ULD stands as the grassroots leader—proving that growing long drive means starting with people, not just performances. From a disabled veteran’s swing in 2013 to thousands competing worldwide in 2026, our story is about building something lasting for everyone who loves the longest game in golf.
Join us—whether as an athlete, league operator, trainer, volunteer, or fan. The foundation is strong, and the future is inclusive.
— Jeff Gilder, Founder & CEO, Ultimate Long Drive
