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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend July 28, 2006 Big drives could be blowing in the wind By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune On a calm day, golf's biggest hitters can pummel drives well over 300 yards — in the air. Imagine what might happen on Saturday, then, during the REMAX World Long Drive local qualifier at Centennial Golf Club, where the afternoon wind could propel balls to mind-boggling distances. "Typically," says James Lewis, a Medford long driver who has made it to the world finals three times, "it'll be downwind, probably with a little right-to-left helping wind. It'll be more of a tail wind than a cross wind. The premium shot is going to be a high draw." And if someone hits one on the button in premium conditions, well, watch out. Lewis has a competitive-best 417-yard drive. He has another of 414 yards. He doesn't know if those distances will be reached in the daylong competition, one of three skills contests being staged at the club's practice facilities, but he expects them to be close. Advertisement "I think you'll see distances of 350 to 390 yards," says Lewis, who will participate. The long drive competition and the Pinnacle Exceptional Driver Championship will be held simultaneously at the driving range from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On the putting green, there will be the Premier West Bank Putting Challenge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where one finalist will have a chance to putt for $5,000. Players can enter as many times as they want, and proceeds go to Southern Oregon University athletics. "I'm expecting a rather large turnout," says Tim Mort, the organizer of the event. The exceptional driver contest puts a premium on accuracy. For $20, entrants have two minutes to hit five balls into a 40-yard grid. They get points for hitting the grid and for distance, which is marked at 10-yard increments, beginning at 200 yards. Those who put all five balls in the grid get a bonus ball. The winner advances to the world finals in Laughlin, Nev. In the putting contest, players get seven balls for $10. For every ball that is holed during the day, the entrant gets a ball in the semifinals. The top five in the semifinals go to the finals, where prizes will be awarded for each place. The finals winner will also get one chance to sink a putt for $5,000. Those contests will attract everyday players who want to try their skill. The long drivers will form more of a specialized group, although some local hitters will likely show up for that contest and some players in the long drive will try the accuracy event. "Generally, these things draw people from places you don't expect," says Lewis. "But there will be some big hitters." Depending on the number of entrants, up to six can qualify from here for the district championships in September in Washington, and the winner from there goes to the world finals in Mesquite, Nev. In addition to Lewis, some who have indicated they will compete are Tom Celone, of Reno, Nev., who won a district competition at Eagle Point Golf Course in 2000 with a distance of 372 yards, 2 feet, 3 inches; Robert Kaindl, of Mill Creek, Wash., who, like Celone, has competed at the world finals; and Tim Wilson, who recently advanced to the Southern California district and will try to do the same in the Northwest. They'll be in the open division. There are also senior (45-up), super senior (55-up) and women's divisions. The long drive entry fee is $40. If the wind picks up as is expected, the long drive competition will likely be divided into morning and afternoon sessions, says Mort, so one group doesn't have an advantage over another. The top hitters from each session would advance to the district event. Because there's no preregistration, it's hard to say exactly who will show up. But Mort says he's received inquiries from throughout the Western states. He's also learned that Medford will be the site of the district finals next year. Lewis had neck surgery in 2004 and it's taken him 11„2 years to fully recover. He competed once last year, then hung it up. He hit it 390 but felt like he should have gone 420 in the conditions at Crooked River Ranch. "I'm probably 80 percent," says Lewis, who practices about twice a week, "but 80 percent is probably good enough to hit the ball out there pretty well." Lewis has been ever-present at local golf tournaments, hitting drives on long holes for teams in exchange for donations to charitable causes. He'll be in one Saturday at Stone Ridge Golf Club before heading over to the long drive competition. Wilson is going to hit with him at Stone Ridge. "I should know whether I'm hitting the ball well or not come Saturday afternoon," says Lewis, adding that the tournament shouldn't wear him out. "I think it'll actually be good for me. Generally, what I've found is that if I don't work too hard during one of those tournaments, I'm hitting the ball really well in the afternoon." Lewis' normal ball flight is a high draw, and that should bode well with the wind. "I'm really looking forward to it," he says. "I hope to be able to put on a good show and be proud of what I do." Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s