Events DC Hosts Capital Long Drive Classic
December 22, 2020
Pro long drivers were seen on TV this month with NBC Sports (new Golf Channel) coverage of the Capital Long Drive Classic hosted by Events DC and My Brother’s Birdies. Eight pro long drivers were grouped into pairs with one male and one female competitor per team. The event’s promoters hoped to bring attention to this extreme sport of golf by bringing together a roster of top athletes to compete in the first-ever long drive event held on the National Mall in our nation’s capital. Founding sponsors for the 2020 Capital Long Drive Classic included Lexus, Volvik, PowerTee, and TaylorMade.
"Events DC is excited to present first-of-its-kind Capital Long Drive Classic. This event allows us to reinforce DC as a sports capital to a national TV audience while also showcasing our city's golf history and enthusiasts," said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. "We look forward to hosting this event annually in the heart of the District and highlighting not only the DC region as a golf destination but its local participating athletes and passionate youth community."
The women long drive competitors invited to compete were Shasta Averyhardt, Alexis Belton, Mary Driscoll, and Cassandra Meyer. Events DC asked Maurice Allen, Tim Burke, Chris Hall, and Josh Jackson to represent male long hitters in this unique co-ed competition.
My Brother’s Birdies Benefits DC Youth
The professional pairs competition was a partnership of Events DC and My Brother’s Birdies at East Potomac Park Golf Course. My Brother’s Birdies is a non-profit that aims to provide the next generation of leadership with mentorship through golf. In addition to introducing golf to children from underserved communities in the region, the non-profit exposes young people to unique opportunities without gender or racial bias.
"We were excited to partner with Events DC to bring the first ever golf event to the National Mall. But most importantly, we were excited to create the opportunity for young golfers in the DC community to meet professional golfers from diverse backgrounds and inspiring stories," said Justin Harrison, founder and executive director of My Brother's Birdies. Hopefully, the Capital Long Drive Classic will inspire the kids in attendance to continue to play golf."
Event DC is the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia and delivers premier event services for venues around the nation's capital to generate a significant economic impact each year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public attendance was limited at this year’s Capital Long Drive Classic. Nonetheless, all events followed strict health and safety protocols as outlined by the Mayor, DC Department of Health, and Centers for Disease Control.
Return of Pro Long Drivers to TV
No better way to mark the return of pro long drivers on TV and a return to NBC Sports “The Golf Channel” for the first time since the merger that resulted in the closing of the World Long Drive Association and the WLD World Long Drive Championship. After all the grassy mall along the Potomac River made for a perfect long drive grid as well as provided plenty of outdoor space for social distancing. In men’s qualifying, Tim Burke ripped a 371-yard blast followed by Maurice Allen 349 yards, Josh Jackson 349 yards, and Chris Hall 334 yards. Alexis Belton led the women’s qualifying with a 308-yard drive followed by Mary Driscoll 289 yards, Cassandra Meyer 278 yards, and Shasta Averyhardt 276 yards.
Co-ed teams were grouped by the longest drive from men’s division and the shortest drive from the women’s group. In the semi-final round, the teams of Jackson/Driscoll (335 yards) and Burke/Averyhardt (281 yards) both had one player OB. The teams of Allen/Meyer (626 yards) and Hall/Belton (625 yards) were only one yard apart, but both qualified for the Capital Long Drive Classic Championship round. After four balls each, Maurice Allen and Cassandra Myer posted a 625-yard combined effort to claim the Capital Long Drive Classic Pairs Championship with Tim Burke (371 yards) crowned the men’s champion pro long driver and Alexis Belton (308 yards) crowned the women’s pro long drive champion.