MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- As I sit there, atop my wooden perch, a breeze cools me off from the bright and shining sun overhead. I listen to the wind pass through the trees and suddenly I’m hit with more force than I’ve ever felt in my life. I soar quickly, like a bullet through the air, I rise higher and higher like a balloon some child lost grip of. The view is amazing, I can see the whole Station from here, and just as suddenly as I took flight I begin my descent. I hit the ground running and manage to roll a good 35 yards before coming to rest. The official measurement is made and I register in at 285 yards. I am the farthest driven golf ball in the competition.
Station golfers gathered to put on their best “Happy Gilmore” impression during the first ever Torii Pines Long Drive Competition at the golf course driving range, June 29.
“Long drive competitions are a very popular event amongst golfers,” said Gary Groff, Torii Pines manager. “Everyone likes to see who is the biggest and the best and this was a great recreational activity for golfers to come out and have some fun, while earning bragging rights.”
Competitors were divided into four categories; men, ladies, senior and junior divisions. During the competition players could purchase three balls for $5 and were only allowed 12 attempts. In order for a drive to count toward scoring it had to stay in bounds. Only range balls were permitted for the competition and participants could only hit three balls in succession.
The skies were clear and the sun was shining during the competition. A beautiful day for golf, had it not been for the vicious overhead wind blowing drives down short of their full potential. However, one would be Tiger Woods refused to let the wind ruin his golf game and out drove all competitors.
“I’ve always been a long ball hitter, so I thought I had a pretty big chance at taking the competition,” said Landon J. Wallace, men’s division champion. “I wasn’t too concerned about the wind because everyone had to deal with it, but I knew how to punch the ball through it and put some draw spin on it to get more roll. On my third drive I connected really well with it, and the drive stood as the longest for the rest of the day.”
The event was enjoyed by all participants, regardless of their unsuccessful attempts at taking the crown from Wallace.
“The competition was very well received and we plan on holding future competitions,” said Groff.
The men’s division champion was Landon Wallace, 285-yard drive. The ladies division champion was Kendra N. Kimble, 236-yard drive. The senior’s division champion was John Tolentino, 253-yard drive. The junior’s division champion was Ashley Clark, 100-yard drive.