American Golf Secure World Long Drive Championship Deal

The winners of the under 45, over 45 and ladies categories will all qualify for the world finals

World long drive championship

American Golf have signed a three year deal to stage qualifying for the World Long Drive Championship

American Golf has signed a deal to become the official UK qualifying event for the World Long Drive Championship for the next three years.

This year's qualifying takes place at High Legh Golf Club in Knutsford, Cheshire on Friday 19th August.

The winners of the open (under 45), senior (over 45) and ladies categories will qualify for the World Long Drive Championship at WinStar World Casino and Resort which takes place from 6th – 12th October 2016.

The deal has been signed with the Golf Channel and the event will be sponsored by Garmin.

Daniel Gathercole Director of Marketing & Communications at American Golf is proud to be working alongside the World Long Drive Championships and Golf Channel as he explains, “This endorsement brings us real credibility and confirms our commitment to growing the game.

American Golf long drive championship returns.

"As well as attracting the very best long drivers in the UK, we’re also seeing competition from golfers who are entirely new to the sport, which is incredible. We can’t wait to meet our Finalists in August and look forward to working closely with Golf Channel.”

The Big Interview: World Long Drive Champion Joe Miller

“American Golf has done a fantastic job of attracting thousands of golfers to its long drive championships, so we are thrilled to make them our official UK partner. Long Drive is an exciting, fun sport and with American Golf’s involvement we hope to bring it to even more people in the UK over the next few years,“ comments Bart Kendall, VP Live Events at Golf Channel.

Qualifying for American Golf’s 2016 Championship took place in early April.

Last year's event was won by Dan Konyk who drove it 333-yards.

The over 45 category was won by Steve Kent who hit it 328-yards and the ladies competition was won by Rebecca McGinley after a 279-yard hit.

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV