Drive For Show! – Amateur Long Drive World Championship
2017 marked the inaugural Amateur Long Drive World Championship (ALDC). Held at Legends Golf Resort this historic event drew nearly 100 competitors and (for the first time) allowed able-bodied hitters to compete against differently-abled hitters. In conjunction with the ALDC Legends hosted the ParaLong Drive Cup. The top hitters in the ALDC and the ParaLong Drive transferred into an Open Competition that, through eliminations, pitted above-the-knee amputee, Jonathon Shaw against able-bodied Mark Lawrence. Shaw had been the most consistent in all the preliminary competition and was an early favorite to win the Open Championship. But, Lawrence, who actually transferred from the Senior Division, took home the belt.
WPDE’s broadcast team along with Luck Dog Television produced an hour of live cover on the CW 21 to add to the excitement and pressure for the competitors.
2018 ALDC
The 2018 Amateur Long Drive™ World Championship will be held at Barefoot Resort & Golf in Myrtle Beach August 16 – 18. There are multiple regional qualifiers (9 as of this writing) scheduled across the U.S. allowing hitters more access into the World Championship.
ALDC teamed up with the Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) to add a Veteran’s division to this year’s competition. The date for the World championship coincides with the VGA’s Super Regional which is also being help at Barefoot Resort. Also new for 2018 is the addition of a 12 and under division. So, now there are Youth (12 and under), Junior (13-15, ) Adult (Male and Female 16-49), Senior (Male and Female 50-64), and Super Senior (Male and Female 65 & Up). The Veterans divisions will include Adult (Male & Female) Senior (Male & Female), and Super Senior (Male & Female).
The main event (Open World Championship) will be held Saturday night under the lights at the Barefoot Resort Championship Grid. WPDE’s CW 21 will once again broadcast the open live. The Myrtle Beach Golf Channel will be on hand to live stream the rest of the action during the three day event.
Keep up with the latest developments in the new competition HERE.