SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS – Long Drivers of America (LDA), which manages and produces the annual RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, has announced changes to the structure of entry fees and format for competition.
Beginning this year, entry fees for RE/MAX local qualifying events will be $40 for open division and senior (45-54) division competitors; $30 for women and super seniors (55+).
Entry fees for RE/MAX district qualifying events will be $75 for LDA members and $125 for nonmembers.
The RE/MAX WLDC, universally regarded as the premier event in power golf, involves three tiers of competition: local qualifying, district qualifying, world finals.
Fees at the 2006 RE/MAX world finals, scheduled for October 23-28 at The Palms GC in Mesquite, Nevada, will be $500 for open division and senior division competitors; $300 for women and super seniors (55+).
"This marks the first increase to local entry fees since LDA took over management of this championship in 1995," said Art Sellinger, LDA’s chief executive officer. "This adjustment, which, frankly, we felt was overdue, will contribute to the increase in the amount of prize money we’re able to pay out."
LDA officials previously announced a record RE/MAX WLDC purse for 2006 of $500,000. The 2006 open division champion will pocket $125,000, a benchmark for the sport.
In another change, RE/MAX district qualifying events will now have a double-elimination format. "Essentially, we are adding another round of competition to the district event, which mitigates the effects of the "one bad set" syndrome that hitters often talk about," Sellinger noted.
As in previous years, winners of RE/MAX local qualifying events will earn a first-round bye at the district event.
LDA also announced an adjustment to the formula for determining how many RE/MAX competitors advance from local qualifying to the district event. "We think hitters will welcome this change, as well," said Sellinger, "because it increases their chances to advance in the competition."
NEW IN 2006 PREVIOUS
Paid Entries (Tries) Paid Entries (Tries)
1-6/One Qualifier 1-10/One Qualifier
7-15/Two Qualifiers 11-25/Two Qualifiers
16-25/Three Qualifiers 26-45/Three Qualifiers
26-40/Four Qualifiers 46-70/Four Qualifiers
41-65/Five Qualifiers 71-95/Five Qualifiers
66 & Over/Six Qualifiers 96 & Over/Six Qualifiers
Complete information on 2006 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship qualifying is available at www.longdrivers.com
Contact:
Russ Pate
(214) 349-3603
Steve Wiley
(888) 233-4654
