Bartlett golfer emerges from duel victorious

Longtime golfer Dan Scardina of Bartlett tested his skills last month in the Duel in the Desert event senior division long drive competition hosted by the Long Driver Association - walking away with the top prize.

"I've been golfing my whole life. Ever since I was 6, I've had the chance to golf. There has been a driving range in my family for 39 years," Scardina said, referring to the Green Valley Golf Range in Hanover Park.

Scardina began competing when he was challenged by an employee.

"We had a bet going on who could hit the ball harder," said Scardina. "The only way we could really measure it was by going to a competition because they have all the yards marked and professionals out on the field measuring. I've been hooked ever since."

The Long Drivers Association (LDA) hosts three or four different events each year, and each event has an open, senior, women and junior division.

Long Drivers events are considered power golf events with a high level of play and prizes to match. The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship will pay out $600,000 in prize money with $250,000 of it going to the open division champion. The finals will be in October in Mesquite, Nev.

"Long driving is a different type of sport," said Scardina. "Everyone likes a home run in baseball; there's just something about seeing a ball hit far."

Being in shape is very important to the sport. The average golfer swings at a pace of about 110 mph. In long driving, players swing the club at a pace of about 140 mph and the ball flies across the field at a speed over 200 mph.

"It is a highly skilled activity," said Keith Krumwiede, close family friend of the Scardina family. "It's not normal for someone to be able to hit a golf ball 350 to 360 yards,"

After competing in the open division for more than 10 years, this was the first year he could compete in the senior division, having reached age 45.

At the Duel in the Desert competition in June, Scardina took home the first-place prize, beating out LDA senior champion Frank Miller, 353 yards to 336 yards.

"I'm already qualified for the finals in October," said Scardina. "I can try to qualify for the open division also and compete in both divisions."

There are more than 120 competitors in the open division and 48 in each of the others.

"I'm like a freshman in the senior division," Scardina said. "This is my chance to do my best because I'm the youngest."

More information on the Long Drivers Association is available at www.longdrivers.com.