Golf’s big hitters coming to NZ
The ‘‘slam dunk contest’’ of golf is heading to New Zealand and one of the heavy hitters of the long drive world is hoping to make it a permanent fixture on the calendar.
Auckland’s Remuera Golf Club was this week announced as venue for the Long Drivers European Tour’s season finale in November.
Long drive is a small but growing element of golf, earning popularity in the northern hemisphere.
Purists may see it as the sport’s ugly cousin but if you prefer a party atmosphere while watching golf balls being blasted into orbit, then long drive may be for you.
‘‘It’s not your traditional golf where people sit there and they’re quiet, they clap and it’s very silent,’’ said Maurice Allen, the reigning LDET champion.
‘‘Guys get out there, they yell, they scream at the ball when they hit it good. It’s like watching the slam dunk contest in basketball or the home run derby in baseball, it’s a true adrenaline sport.’’
The American’s basketball analogy is apt considering he is the nephew of NBA legend Julius ‘Dr J’ Erving.
Allen says Erving helped him develop a winning mindset which saw him win three tournaments on the European circuit last year to claim the overall title.
Earlier this month, Allen hit a drive of 393 yards to take out the Holland Championship while his longest in-competition drive is 459 yards.
In comparison, the leading driver on the PGA Tour this season, Tony Finau, averages 311 yards from the tee.
Allen’s strength lies in his explosive power and he previously held the Guinness World Record for golf ball speed at 339.56 km/h.
The Road to New Zealand, which takes place on November 5-6, will see the top-eight ranked drivers on the tour battle to be crowned champion of Europe.