Legends of Long drive at Conneaut Lake

From Dick on ITG:

For those interested.

Results: 2005 Legends of Long drive Classic at Oakland Beach Golf Club

The second annual Legends of Long Drive Classic was completed this weekend
under scorching sun and 95 plus temperatures. In the end senior rookie Gerry
James escaped with the title from the ageless Scott DiCandia. The tournament was

a who's who of past and future stars. A number of newcomers emerged as forces
to be reckoned with in Mesquite this October.

This event is unlike any other long drive competition as it is solely senior
and has three separate events spread out over the three days of competition.
46 of 48 slots were filled and all but one senior and super senior title was in
attendance.

The first event conducted is a unique team competition of 12 (4) man teams.
Team captains were chosen and matched with super senior competitors. The final
two slots were then filled by draw with the remaining senior competitors. On
paper every team had a chance to take away the title and the largest portion of
the $5,000.00 purse. The event was held Friday night June 24th and consisted
of 2 rounds where each competitor had to grid one quality shot. The first
round allowed for six drives a piece. The second a mere three drives per
competitor. This three ball round was necessitated by the fear that we could not
finish
with the remaining sunlight. The three ball change was in hind sight a great
move as each competitor felt the pressure to grid one of the three drives.
There were more than a few shaky hands on the tee box as the competition
progressed in the end the team of Greg Walker, Chris McCurdy, Stew Kirkland and
Rick
Mayer survived the pressure and won the event.

Results: MAC Tools Team Challenge

1st Greg Walker, Chris McCurdy, Stew Kirkland, Rick Mayer
2568 yards
2nd Mike Warful, Kevin Wolfe, Matt Shulten, Mike Hooper
2547 yards
3rd Scott DiCandia, Dick Rodgers, Steve Llwellyn, Cliff Thrasher
2540+ yards
4th Gerry James, Daryl Branniff, Doug Penneman, Howard Hankey 2540
yards
5th Bobby Furnatter, Lefty Mantell, George Moisoff, Fred Hooter
2521 yards
6th Mike Gorton, Rob Smith, John Kikes, Jim Liska
2495 yards

The difference between the first place and the twelfth place team was a mere
143 yards. The winning team averaged 331 yards per drive.

The second competition was the (2) pro (4) amateur scramble and the (4) pro
scramble. Both divisions played for an equal portion of the $5,000.00 purse.
The (2) pro (4) amateur scramble was won By Howard Hankey and Gerry James team
at 20 under par. The (4) pro scramble was won by The team of Frank Miller,
Lefty Mantell, Sam Reichel, Greg Basom and their blonde haired cheer leader who
apparently provided moral support to the boys at 19 under par.

The main event conducted over two days was an incredible test of talent and
stamina as the sun baked the grid and competitors alike. The double elimination
yielded the following results:

1st Gerry James 368 yards
2nd Scott DiCandia 366 yards
3rd Eric Jones 359 yards
4th Greg Basom 354 yards
5th Pat Dempsey 347 yards
6th Sam Reichel 337 yards
7th Bobby Wilson 324 yards
8th Steve Gill OB

This one of a kind event drew around 1000 spectators over the three days of
competition as well as considerable print media. I spoke with many of those
spectators and they were really excited about every facet of the competition.
The
consensus was that the seniors and super seniors were as classy as they were
talented. The owner and co-organizer of the event was ecstatic over the event
and invited us back for next year and beyond.

I want to thank those that accepted the invitation to attend and traveled
many miles to compete. We want to make this the best long drive event in golf
and
the tournament committee needs your imput. we were blessed to have some
outstanding sponsors for the event. Special thanks to this years title sponsor
Quaker Steak & Lube Restaurant Group and to MAC Tools. Additional thanks goes
out
to Vincent Cariello owner of AERO TEE company for attending and providing the
pros and amateurs with your outstanding product. To Mike Tait, my friend,
thank you for support and presence you are a class guy. Jody Baucom thank you
for
your support. You missed one hell of a barbecue. Final thanks go out to Lefty
Mantell, Jim Liska, Greg Orr, Oliver Price, Eddie Warren, Tom Roskos my wife
Diana and the others that helped to organize and run the event. Garfield
Prebor, the owner, is due thanks from all for providing this great venue and for

welcoming the senior long drive community to his establishment.

One last thought. Long after the competitors made their way to their hotels
or airports I was back at the tee box cleaning up after the weekends
festivities. As I made my way around the corner to clean the range teeing area I
was
stunned to see 2 world champions and a future champion cleaning up garbage,
collecting range balls and organizing banners and decorations. I was most
appreciative of their thoughtfulness as I was beat from running the event. In
retrospect I was struck with the realization that titles and recognition do not
alone
bring with them class and acclaim but a responsibility to represent those
titles with class and dignity. Pat Dempsey, Michael Hooper and Greg Walker
epitomize what champions are about and I thank them for their kindness. It is
truly an
honor to compete with them and to call them friends.

See you all next year.

Dick Rodgers