When the Golf Channel dropped the World Long Drive Association Championship from its TV lineup in early 2020 Jeff Crittenden was like a lost puppy. Competing on the professional circuit for more than 15 years, the Greensboro golf pro was suddenly faced with the stark reality of lost competition, lost sponsors and lost income. “Went…
By Brad King Jeff Crittenden was in a tight spot. The Long Drive champion known as “Critter” to friends and fans was down to his last two attempts in the nationally televised finals of the World Long Drive Championship Masters Division in Oklahoma in early September. He was battling defending world champion Eddie Fernandes — and…
By STEVE WILLIAMS In long-drive competition, they round off the blasts to the closest yard. Who needs the inches when the balls are rolling out to well in excess of 400 yards? But in the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship on a windy night in Las Vegas in early November, officials had to get out…
By STEVE HANF Davis Troxler developed a reputation for going overtime with his lessons at Precision Golf School. “I talk a lot,” Troxler said with a laugh. “We have a lot of fun. You hear us laugh all the time, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take it serious.” Troxler’s sessions with area golfers aren’t…
By STEVE WILLIAMS You wouldn’t think that the sport of long driving and a game of chess would have any common ground. Grip-it and rip-it doesn’t equate with checkmate. A driving range grid and a chessboard seem hundreds of yards apart. But in both competitions one move can dictate the next. It was that process…