Some of the biggest swingers in the amateur game will be teeing it up at Chester Racecourse this week at the finals of the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship.
With six qualifiers hitting over 400 yards, record qualifying distances, thousands of returning competitors from all over the world, the final, which takes place on Thursday, August 2, looks sure set to be a competitive affair.
With thousands of golfers taking part over the past three months, qualification for the American Golf Long Drive Championship final has thrown up some incredible distances from the UK’s biggest hitters.
Topping the pile in the under 45 category is 2016 runner up Dave Evans from Bedford. He hit a new record for store qualifying with an incredible 419-yard effort, finishing just ahead of tournament newcomer Jordan Brooks from Tamworth, with 412 yards.
When he heard that he had qualified as the top seed, Evans: “This is my third year in the finals, and my seeding keeps going up. The American Golf Championship is the only long drive event I compete in, and it’s great fun every year. I’ve been second and third over the past two years, so I’ll be doing everything I can to go one better and take home top prize in Chester.”
In the Ladies Championship, 2017 finalist has clearly put work in over the past year, topping the table of qualifiers with a drive of 291 yards. The 18-year-old student from London, who plays off six, will certainly provide stiff competition for returning champion Ilona Stubley and 2017 semi-finalist Becki O’Grady.
The Over 45s section was just as competitive, with second-place qualifier from 2017 William Hunt-Tyrell going one better with 367 yards to lead the pack. Only 38 yards separates the rest of the pack, with familiar faces such as 2016 winner Steve Kent and runner-up Dave Willmore making the final with 349 and 351 yards respectively.
After watching qualifying come to a close, Matt Bacon, Head of Events at American Golf, couldn’t hide his excitement for the action to come, “Although we’ve seen golfers from all over the world fly in to take part, this competition is all about the huge numbers of loyal American Golf customers who come back year after year to compete in our stores. Having Callaway Golf as tournament sponsor has been a huge draw this year, and, thanks to its involvement, the mixture of talent we have has raised the bar for the competition. I can’t wait to get all of the qualifiers to Chester Racecourse to compete for what is now without a doubt Europe’s most prestigious long drive title.”
Nathan Dennis, retail marketing manager at Callaway Golf, added: “It’s been fantastic seeing so many golfers trying the new Rogue drivers to give themselves the best chance of qualifying in store, and we can’t wait to greet all of the qualifiers at Chester Racecourse for what promises to be an incredible final. It’s a real pleasure for Callaway to be at the heart of helping so many people get the best out of their game, and this tournament has been a perfect example of what our Jailbreak technology can do to unlock golfer’s distance potential.”
Spectator entry to the final is free and all are welcome. The finals will also be shown at a later date on Sky Sports.