Titleist engineer wins Senior Division in first attempt with 355-yard blast
Fairhaven, MA (December 17, 2012) -Eric Lastowka, participating in the Senior Division of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship for the first time, took advantage of his newfound status and bested 63 other division qualifiers with a winning 355-yard drive to earn his first WLDC title.
Although he was making his 12th appearance at the annual event contested in Mesquite, Nev., the Hanover, Mass. resident became eligible for the Senior Division when he turned 45 years old in February. The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship is the premier event in power golf, with an international field competing for more than $500,000 in prize money and the title of the world’s longest driver of a golf ball.
“This is the ultimate,” said Lastowka following his victory. “I’ve had a lot of close calls in the Open Division in the past (runner-up in 2006, 8th place in 2001), but this is why I continue in this sport. There are so many good hitters that it always takes your best to win. Now that I have won, it gives me even more motivation to repeat next year.”
The sculpted 6-5 and 240 lb. Lastowka is a Senior Compliance Engineer at Titleist Ball Plant III in New Bedford, Mass. by day. He credits the world’s leading golf ball company for contributing to his winning performance.
“My success this year is based on being in good physical shape,” said Lastowka. “I have spent a considerable amount of time over the years participating in the Acushnet Wellness program, and it does pay off. I have focused on the cross-fit style workouts with the fitness coaches that the company provides its associates. It is very challenging, but rewarding.”
Lastowka also attended the first level of the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certification program this year, where he absorbed a wealth of information about the golf swing and fitness.
The week-long event started with 64 Senior Division participants, which was reduced to 16 on the first day. Lastowka advanced after winning his first three rounds with tape measure drives of 379, 360 and 391 yards, respectively. The weather in Mesquite is always a factor, and Lastowka took advantage, winning his next two matches with downwind blasts of 426 and 403 yards.
The wind turned on the final day, however, and was dead in the face of the participants. Lastowka won his first match with a 333-yard drive, setting up his winning 355-yarder that was not without drama. His opponent had the final drive, which hit the grid and rolled to 349 yards while Lastowka and the boisterous crowd held their collective breath.
The event will be packaged into a 90-minute highlights feature and aired on the ESPN networks on December 23rd and 30th.
Contact:
Joe Gomes
Director of Communications / Titleist
Joe.gomes@acushnetgolf.com
(508.979.3211)
