The Big Show

By Matthew Digiacomo

August 22, 2008 August 21, 2008 11:10 pm

— Dust off that driver and loosen up that back, it’s time to take on the big boys of golf once more.
Today, the Long Drivers of America again take over the driving range at Oakland Beach Golf Course for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Northeast Regional Championship. The event will come to a climax on Sunday with an expected 18 golfers from across the country earning a trip to the RE/MAX Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nev. on Oct. 20-25.
“Our regional used to be just five states,” said site manager Dick Rodgers, who brought the sport of long drive to Conneaut Lake in 2004 when he organized the Pennsylvania Senior Long Drive Championship. “This year, regionals were condensed and (the LDA) picked the best venues to hold them. Oakland Beach is one of the most popular sites in the country.
“Last year we had the largest regional field in the country. This year we have the largest regional in the world.”
Much of that can be attributed to the addition of eight states.
Last year the regional was for Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West Virginia and New Jersey. When the LDA decided to condense the regionals, they added Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The end result — 150 people have already qualified for the regional and Rodgers expects that to grow immensely with today’s qualifier.
“Last year we had about 104 competitors,” said Rodgers. “This year, I expect we might have as many as 190. So I think the field is pretty much going to double.”
And with a trip to Worlds on the line, the competition is going to be just as tough as it is large.
Already in the field in the Senior Division are Kevin Wolf and Steve Llywellen. Wolf is from the Greensburg area and made the final group at Worlds two years ago. Llywellen, from New Castle, is another long-time professional with his sights set on Nevada.
Erie’s George “The Animal” Slupski, a legendary LDA professional, and Ohio’s Rock Hicks headline the Open Division field. And while nearly 500 percent of the open long drivers have made it to worlds, one that hasn’t might garner the most interest — Garrett Proper.
“Garrett is a local kid from Linesville,” said Rodgers. “He won one of our qualifiers and is going to test his luck against the professionals. They are all looking for a trip to Mesquite.”
Rodgers himself will be trying to earn a trip to worlds.
The local favorite said he needs to hit the ball in the grid every time to have a shot. If he does, he will join good friend and assistant site manager Jim Martell in Nevada.
It would be Rodgers’ 13th straight trip to the finals. Martell, who earned an exemption to worlds, is making his second straight trip.
And if the possibility of seeing a 400-yard drive doesn’t draw you in, maybe long drive legend Tom Roskos will.
Roskos, a Sharpsville native who currently resides in Sharon, will be putting on a long drive clinic on Friday starting at 7 p.m. The 45-minute show has to be seen to be believed.
Roskos hits balls from every possible position — including on his knees and from an exercise ball — as well as from several different tee heights. He hits it long with every club and afterwards will answer questions from the crowd.
“There is something for everyone,” said Roskos, who is among the top-10 all-time money winners on the LDA Tour. “I give tips on how to add distance on the driving range and during your round, some helpful drills that can be used. But it really is geared more towards entertainment.
“People will see shots they have never seen before. I hit the ball through a watermelon, through a piece of plywood, between my legs. So even the non-golfer can enjoy this.”
Friday’s fare also includes a 50/50 raffle to benefit the Excalibur Charitable Foundation, chances to win Adams Golf Equipment, Pinnacle Golf Balls and other great prizes. The regional championships begin on Saturday with the Open and Ladies Divisions taking center stage.
The ladies will take to the tee box first at 9 a.m., with the open competitors to follow until about 6 p.m.
The three day event culminates on Sunday when the Seniors, Super Seniors and Grand Champions take their turn at earning a spot to Worlds.
“We will probably send about eight from the Open Division,” said Rodgers. “Another four will likely come from the Seniors, three from Super Seniors, two from the Grand Champions and one from the Ladies.”
For anyone interested in qualifying today, cost is $40 for six balls to test your luck in the Open Division. For the senior, Super Senior, Grand Champion and Ladies, it is $30.
And don’t forget to bring the noise.
“Cheering is definitely allowed,” said Rodgers. “It is preferred to people sitting on their hands. At worlds they have the loudspeaker going with music during the entire event.
“So, if you are going to make it, you better be able to hit the ball with firecrackers going off.”