Kyle Mack (1996) qualified for the World Long Drive Competition

BLAKELY’S WIN IN TENNESSEE CONTINUES LDA TOUR YOUTH MOVEMENT
CLEMSON STUDENT BAGS 10K FIRST PRIZE

The win by Clemson University senior Kyle Blakely at LDA’s 2010 Tennessee Shootout in Greeneville on June 12 continued the dominant theme on this year’s professional power golf circuit:

Young guns.

Blakely, 22, cashed his first-ever check at an LDA Tour event at Graysburg Hills Golf Course. He made it a big one, too, bagging $10,000 in prize money.

Blakely came out on top in the six-hitter finals by thumping a Slazenger Raw Distance golf ball 395 yards with his Adams 9032LD driver.

The win secured for Blakely a spot in the 144-hitter field at the finals of the 2010 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship powered by Dick’s Sporting Goods next fall.

Landon Gentry and Kyle Mack finished second and third after posting 385 yards and 375 yards, respectively, in the shootout round. Gentry collected $5,000 for his runner-up finish, while Mack sacked $4,000. Mack also earned an exemption into the field at the 2010 RE/MAX WLDC finals (Gentry had previously earned his exemption).

Jerimie Montgomery, Matt Eicholtz and Kevin Bullard rounded out the cast of crunchers for the six-hitter shootout.

The 2010 LDA Tour, which concludes with the 2010 Desert Duel in August, has witnessed a parade of early twentysomethings to the winner’s circle.

Jason Eslinger started the trend in Mesquite, Nevada in March, winning LDA’s 2010 Desert Launch just three weeks after celebrating his 24th birthday. Jamie Sadlowski continued the trend in April, capturing LDA’s 2010 Texas Shootout at Trophy Club CC. Sadlowski celebrates his 22nd birthday in July.

Blakely, who turns 23 in September, added his own spin to the story. Currently serving an internship at Greenville (S.C.) Country Club, Blakely plans to graduate from Clemson in December and then pursue a career in the golf business.
He also has his sights set on a full schedule of power golf events in 2011.


CHUCKEY — Kyle Blakley, a Clemson student from Greenville, S.C., stepped up when he had to Saturday — saving his best for last to first get into the finals and then win the Tennessee Shootout and the $10,000 first prize in a Long Drivers Association sanctioned event sponsored by Laughlin Memorial Hospital in Greeneville for a 10th straight year.

Blakley came out of the pack to lead his group of qualifiers in the semifinals with a hit of 379 yards, then followed with his best effort of the day — a 395-yard effort in the finals. That allowed him to beat Landon Gentry of Dacula, Ga., by 10 yards and take home the first prize.

“This is my best day ever in long drive competition,” said Blakley. “I am usually an inch or a foot short.”

Blakley, who is in the PGA program to become a club pro, made the finals of the Re/Max World Championships each of the last two years, but had not finished higher than fourth place. He is working at Greenville Country Club in South Carolina.

The golfers finished in fading light. The last ball was hit in near darkness at 9:09 p.m. There was a 45-minute rain delay earlier in the day.

“One more rain delay,” said organizer Bart Hartsell, “and we would have had to finish on Sunday. As it was, the light was getting bad at the end, but we got it in.”

The best hit of the day was turned in by Jason Enslinger of Stillwater, Okla., who launched a 416-yard drive in one of the early rounds. But he failed to make it to the semifinals, as did two-time defending champion Dave Mobley. Last year’s runnerup, Patrick Hopper, settled for 10th while Steve Monroe — who was second to Mobley two years ago — was seventh.

Kyle Mack of Fargo, N.D., placed third with a hit of 375 in the finals, while Jerimie Montgomery of Plain City, Utah was fourth. He had a drive earlier in the day of 402, but settled for a 374-yard hit in the finals.Matt Eicholtz of Dacula, Ga., was fifth at 365 yards and Kevin Bullard of Cedartown, Ga,., was sixth with a hit of 362 in the finals.

Here are the Top 16 and their money winnings:

Tennessee Shootout
Sponsored by Laughlin Memorial Hospital
at Graysburg Hills Golf Club
Chuckey, Tenn., June 12, 2010

1. Kyle Blakley, 395 yards ………$10,000
2. Landon Gentry, 385 yards……..$5,000
3. Kyle Mack, 375 yards……………$4,000
4. Jerimie Montgomery, 374……..$3,500
5. Matt Eicholtz, 365 yards………..$3,000
6. Kevin Bullard, 362 yards………..$2,500
7. Steve Monroe……………………….$1,500
8. Mick Yelovick……………………….$1,500
9. Kevin Shook………………………….$1,500
10. Patrick Hopper…………………….$1,500
11. Brooks Baldwin…………………….$1,000
12. Tim Burke……………………………$1,000
13. Camerson Swanson……………….$1,000
14. Jason Witczak………………………$1,000
15. Jeff Crittenden……………………..$1,000
16. Scott Smith………………………….$1,000