The Official Tour Blog of Cobra Golf

Oct 31, 2008 - 09:37 AM

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Mesquite, NV (October 25, 2008) – Pinnacle Distance Team performer Jamie Sadlowski and Cobra / Pinnacle Distance Team member Dan Boever each claimed their first RE/MAX World Long Drive titles, capping off a memorable championship in which a major record fell and golf balls traveled in excess of 400 yards with stunning regularity.

The 20-year-old Sadlowski, a two-time RE/MAX Junior World Long Drive champion, fought his way out of the losers’ bracket all the way to the final pairing in the Open Division, where his towering drive of 418 yards earned him his first world championship and the $250,000 winner’s check. He broke the RE/MAX finals record of 412 yards, previously owned by long drive legend, fellow Alberta, Canada native, and fellow Cobra / Pinnacle Distance Team member Jason Zuback, who was among the first to congratulate Sadlowski.

“Jason was the first long driver I ever saw, and he’s the reason I got into the sport,” said Sadlowski. “He’s definitely been my hero and it means a great deal that he was here to share this victory with me.”

Huge drives were common during the Open Division competition. In fact, Jason Zuback, who advanced to the quarterfinals despite re-traumatizing a recent abdominal injury that required surgery, missed advancing to semi-final match play despite a 400-yard effort. Cobra / Pinnacle Distance Team member Eric Lastowka had a similar experience in an earlier qualifying round when his 400-yard drive came up less than a yard short.

In a very dominating Cobra driver performance, 5 of the 8 semi-finalists trusted a Cobra driver. After pairing down to 4 in the finals, ALL were playing with a Cobra driver! It capped off an amazing week for the Cobra brand. Proving once again that superior design and innovative technology leads to straighter and MUCH LONGER drives.

In the Senior Division (ages 45-52), Cobra / Pinnacle Distance Team member Dan Boever, of Rogersville, Missouri, ended what he described as “thirteen years of misery” with a winning 366 yard drive to earn his first RE/MAX title. A former baseball player in the Cincinnati Reds organization, Boever is one of the foremost entertainers in golf, conducting long drive and trick shot exhibitions throughout the United States. He needed to draw on all his shot-shaping talents in the early qualifying rounds, where 30 mph+ headwinds on Monday and Tuesday tormented the hitters. Unlike many, Boever was able to bore drives through the wind and relied not only on power, but also on consistency with his Cobra driver. Upon winning, Boever jumped into the stands to celebrate with his wife, Kelly, who also accompanied him during the awards ceremony. Boever earned $50,000 for the victory.

“When the wind is up like it was, it’s huge to get several golf balls inside the grid during each set,” said Boever. “You never know when the wind might die down slightly or you might get a favorable bounce. I spent a lot of time earlier in the week working with JJ VanWezenbeeck on the Cobra Tech Van to get my ball flight dialed in. It proved to me that if you’re fit well with a great driver it will perform regardless of conditions. You can’t take advantage of those breaks when you’re hitting five balls O.B.” HERE’S HOW THE LAUNCH NUMBERS LOOKED FOR THE WINNERS:

Jamie Sadlowski – Open Division Champion Driver - Cobra Speed Pro D Loft - 4.5 Shaft - House of Forged Ball Speed - 217mph Club Speed - 145mph Launch - 12 degree’s Spin Rate - 1800 rpm’s

Dan Boever – Senior Division Champion Driver - Cobra Speed Pro D Loft - 5.5 Shaft - Graphite Design QuattroTech Md-6x Ball Speed - 200mph Club Speed - 134mph Launch - 11 degree’s Spin Rate - 2100 rpm’s

Other Cobra Players in the top 8 semi-finals Jason Zuback – Cobra Team Member and 5 Time World Long Drive Champion Driver - Cobra Speed Pro D Loft - 4.5 Shaft - Graphite Design PM 702x Ball Speed - 215mph Club Speed - 144mph Launch - 11 degree’s Spin Rate - 1900 rpm’s

Dewald Gouws - Cobra Speed Pro D 4.5 driver Derek Hines - Cobra Speed Pro D 4.5 driver Landon Colling - Cobra 427SZ 4.0 driver

The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship was contested for the first time this year at the new Mesquite Regional Park. Nearly three years ago, Sellinger approached city officials in Mesquite with an idea to create a multi-use complex/park that would give Mesquite a competitive edge in the Southwest to attract major adult and youth sporting events. It would also provide a facility for the Long Drivers of America and it’s flagship event, the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. The site overlooks the city of Mesquite and a majestic flat-top mesa serves as a backdrop for hitters.

Cobra / Pinnacle Distance Team member Bobby Wilson joined ESPN golf analyst Andy North in the commentating booth as ESPN taped the 2008 RE/MAX WLDC finals. ESPN will air the finals at 3:00 p.m. ET on December 24, 2008. It will also re-air on ESPN2 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Christmas Day.