SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS — Long Drivers of America (LDA) has sweetened the stakes for the upcoming Diamond in the Desert Classic, adding prize money and other perks.
Scheduled for March 3-4 at The Palms GC in Mesquite, Nevada, the Diamond in the Desert Classic officially launches the 2006 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf.
LDA previously announced that top Diamond in the Desert Classic finishers earn spots in the field at the RE/MAX world finals next fall. They will avoid having to take the traditional route to the RE/MAX championship finals – advancing through both local and district qualifiers.
Now LDA officials have announced that Diamond in the Desert Classic winners in the open, senior, super senior and women’s divisions will receive complimentary hotel accommodations during RE/MAX championship week, which returns to The Palms GC in Mesquite on October 23-28.
In addition, LDA members who record the highest Diamond in the Desert Classic finish in their respective division will split $2,000 in prize money. The breakdown will be open — $1,000; senior — $500; super senior — $250; women — $250.
To be eligible for prize money, Diamond in the Desert competitors must have current LDA member status as of March 3, 2006. (To join LDA, or to clarify your membership status, call 888.233.4654.)
Entry fees for the Diamond in the Desert Classic’s qualifying rounds on Friday, March 3 are $40 per try in the open and senior divisions; $30 per try in the super senior and women’s divisions.
Entry fees for the elimination rounds on Saturday, March 4 are $75 for active LDA members and $125 for competitors who are not LDA members.
Diamond in the Desert Classic tournament chairman Mike Ambriz said the modified double-elimination format for Saturday calls for seven rounds of hitting in the open division, including winner’s and loser’s brackets.
While the exact number of Diamond in the Desert Classic competitors who will advance to the big show in October cannot be calculated, Ambriz indicated the number will exceed historic norms established for RE/MAX WLDC district events.
Ambriz also said the open division field for Saturday will have 30 hitters (the top 10 finishers in each of three qualifying sessions on Friday) and 18 hitters in the senior division (the top six from each of Friday’s sessions).
The Saturday fields in the super senior and women’s divisions will be determined by the number of hitters who compete in Friday’s qualifying rounds, he said.
Contact:
Russ Pate
(214) 349-3603
Steve Wiley
(888) 233-4654
