Online PLDA Qualifiers for Pro Long Drivers
March 5, 2021
Sometimes something good comes from having to shelter in place for months. Although coronavirus wreaked havoc on professional sporting events last year, it resulted in a $1.5 billion esports industry designed to engage loyal sports fans as well as action-seeking newcomers. Online competition using multi-camera simulators allowed many sports to host indoor competitions for professional and amateur athletes during the pandemic. To grow and nurture the sport, the Professional Long Drivers Association partnered with aboutGolf.com to create a simulator setup designed for PLDA indoor local qualifying.
Whether you are competing in the Open, Ladies, Senior or Junior divisions, there are three stages that include Local, Regional, and World Championship qualifiers. Recently, PLDA announced Local Qualifiers for long-ball hitters in 2021 will be held both indoors and outdoors. Indoor qualifying events will be hosted at various sports venues around the country. Local Qualifiers are open to anyone wishing to compete. PLDA membership is available to both amateurs and professionals and is required to earn money, prizes, ad points at Regional and Championship long drive events.
How to Enter a PLDA Online Qualifier
Pro long drive online event formats may vary as determined by the host site and the time available to complete the scheduled events. To get started, click here and follow the instructions below:
1) Download the aG Locker app on your smartphone or tablet.
2) Follow the prompts to create an account and complete your profile.
a. When prompted, select One Stop Power Shop as your favorite center.
b. Use ZIP 28366 to locate the One Stop Power Shop prior to making your selection.
3) You must purchase aG skins* within the app to play in a PLDA Local Qualifier.
4) When you arrive at a Golf Center and are standing at your assigned simulator, open the aG Locker app on your device and tap on your profile:
a. In aG Locker app, tap the gray bar labeled "Simulator Login" under your profile picture.
b. In aG Locker app, enter the simulator's code displayed on its screen.
c. You are now logged into the simulator.
5) Tap "Compete" at the bottom of your app and a list of events will display that you may compete in
6) Select Pro Long Drivers Online Qualifier
7) You will be prompted to use your skins for the entry fee. Once you confirm, the event will begin.
8) Once completed, you may purchase more skins to compete again or enter any other aG Tour Event.
9) Rankings are posted on the aG Locker app.
10) Check the leaderboard to track your ranking each week.
*aG Skins are online monetary units used as currency in the aboutGOLF.com ecosystem. Skins are similar to coins used in other online gaming environments. Skins can be won (or awarded) and used for purchasing access to tour events.
Exclusive Host for PLDA Online Local Qualifiers
While in-person competitions and tournaments are expected to thrive in our post-pandemic world, amateur and professional long drivers now have a place to compete at the local level, wherever they may be practicing social distancing. According to PLDA co-founder Bobby Peterson, pro long drivers have been working with aboutGolf for a little more than four years to perfect a simulator for the pro long drive tour.
Indoor Qualifiers will be hosted exclusively on aboutGolf Simulators around the country. There will be multiple winners each week who will qualify to enter any of the eight (8) PLDA Regional Qualifiers held around the United States and Canada throughout 2021. The format for some events will be announced in advance, especially those with limited fields. However, online PLDA local qualifiers may have an open-ended registration process and conducted using a modified event format.
All local qualifiers earn the right to enter Regional Qualifiers and compete to earn their way to the PLDA World Championship. Outdoor local and regional qualifying events will be hosted at various facilities and golf centers around the United States and Canada. Although very few of us hit the ball at 100% of our ability, it’s never too late to learn how. Before you enter a local qualifier, get in a good online training video with a World Long Drive Champion.