By Kent Gray
James Tait has proven golf pedigree with his great uncle having twice won The (British) Amateur Championship, in 1896 and 1898. Freddie Tait would no doubt be proud of his great nephew for carrying on the family’s winning tradition at the 2018 Long Drive World Series season opener in Dubai although 120 years on, he might struggle to comprehend what young James can do to a golf ball.

With a blow of 386 yards, Tait Jnr overpowered defending Dubai champion Tim Burke by six yards in the final to claim his maiden long drive title at Jumeirah Golf Estates – just nine months after the 28-year-old Scot had taken up the discipline seriously.

Two-time world champion Joe Miller produced the biggest nudge of the night at 405 yards in the quarterfinals although the wiry Tait’s 401 yard missile in a first round elimination of the 2017 runner-up Ryan Reisbeck was warning that he’s more than a wannabe on the now 10-event LDWS circuit.

South African Jason Cook had topped qualifying with a 400 yard drive but was ousted by Tait’s 376 yard effort in the quarterfinals before Miller was given his marching orders, 378 yards to 367, in the semis.

Related pictures: South African’s 400 yard missile tops LDWS qualifying 

“Over the moon,” was Tait’s response after being asked his emotions following the final.

“Yeah I mean, to go up against some of the world’s best and only been doing it nine months, you can hear there’s a party going on right now and I’m definitely going to be joining that. I’m in shock, it’s not sunk in at all.

“I’m sure it will do probably tomorrow morning when my body is in pieces. I’m just so happy, so happy.” 

Related: Watch Dubai amateur snap driver, keep calm and carry on

Endless indoors practice in “horrible, cold, rainy, miserable”  London over winter had paid instant dividends for Tait who drew on a match-up with Burke at last year’s London LDWS event in the final. So what were you’re tactics in the decider?

“Hit it as hard as you possibly can,” said Tait, matter of factly. “You know I faced him last year in London so it was kind of in my head, it’s just another match, you’ve done it before, just use the experience and build in what you’ve done in the pre-season and I did and I got some silverware.

@jamestait89's Twitter bio simply reads: "Grip it and rip it". Indeed. @LongDriveWS @JumeirahGolfEst
Fri from 7pm pic.twitter.com/Wgf7A0FE4p

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 8, 2018

“I think my form this evening was great. I just want to build on that and hopefully get another couple of wins under my belt this season. I’m obviously going to compete in the worlds this year for the first time so hopefully place well there as well. I’m just going to give it my heart and see how far I can go.”

The post Tait ‘over the moon’ on Earth after claiming maiden LDWS title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The two-time world champion is one of 12 of heavy hitters confirmed for the Jumeirah Golf Estates event from 7pm. There are also four places available in the main field at an open qualifier earlier on Friday (10am) but with long drive specialists flying in from the U.S. and South Africa at their own expense, the heat will be on.

Related: ‘Blonde Bomber’ Burke back to defend title

LDWS Portugal champion Ryan Reisbeck was a Thursday qualifier in Dubai last year and went on to reach the final. It has Miller urging UAE amateurs to leave absolutely nothing in the tank – with any swing.

“My advice for all you guys trying to come out here and qualify is just, No.1, swing it as fast as you possibly can, okay,” said Miller via video message.

“No one is going to take notice of you if you fill the grid up, eight balls out of eight. All they want to see is pure speed and power so make sure you give it to ‘em, and give it to ‘em fast.”

For an example of the “fast” of which Miller speaks of, take a look at this slow-mo of his powerful swing.

Flexibility goals. Two-time world champ @JoeMillerLDC has power on tap for Friday's @LongDriveWS opener @JumeirahGolfEst. 7pm pic.twitter.com/rTim2HTWnY

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 8, 2018

The Dubai event is the first of 10 scheduled for 2018 and has Miller in a bullish mood.

#LDWSDubai – Players Portrait
? Joe Miller LDC ??
? Born 1984, weighs 19st / 120kgs and is 6'4 / 1.90m tall
? Longest Drive is 474 yards / 433 metres
? Clubhead speed is 150mph / 241 kmh and Ball speed is 225mph / 362 kmh#golf #dubai #longdrive #longdriver #ldws pic.twitter.com/ynimKFGSSY

— Long Drive World Series (@LongDriveWS) February 5, 2018

“I’m feeling good, I’ve got to say. I’ve been training hard over the winter period and I’m just waiting for it to get under way and find out if we’ve made some improvements over the winter period,” Miller said. “Most of all I’m [looking forward] to competing against these guys. These are the best in the world and if you ever want to know how good you are, this is where you’ve got to be.”

American Tim Burke, who goes by the nickname “Blonde Bomber, is defending champion and looks to have his swing in synch:

Defending @LongDriveWS Dubai champ @TimBurkeGolf warming up for Friday's 2018 series opener at @JumeirahGolfEst ? pic.twitter.com/Tm7cNtVUSu

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 8, 2018

Englishman James Tait looks to be swinging it sweetly as well, or at least frighteningly hard anyway.

@jamestait89's Twitter bio simply reads: "Grip it and rip it". Indeed. @LongDriveWS @JumeirahGolfEst
Fri from 7pm pic.twitter.com/Wgf7A0FE4p

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 8, 2018

The LDWS is again being staged on the JGE driving range where the organisers have promised “bitter rivalries, big personalities, sudden-death knock outs…with pyrotechnics, DJs, walk-on music, a licensed setting, DJs, food trucks and free entry”.

Get yourself in the mood with the season bow promo here:

The post Miller’s message to LDWS wannabes: ‘Give it to ‘em, and give to ‘em fast’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 31-year-old American edged Thursday qualifier and LDWS Portugal champion Ryan Reisbeck 335 yards to 329.5 yards in the inaugural Dubai final last March and also produced the longest drive of 341 in brisk headwinds.

The ‘Blonde Bomber’ will be hoping for something in access of 400 yards on Friday if the weather plays ball on the JGE driving range where the organisers have promised “bitter rivalries, big personalities, sudden-death knock outs…with pyrotechnics, DJs, walk-on music, a licensed setting, DJs, food trucks and free entry”.

Reisbeck is also back alongside a who’s who of the long drive world. The entry list includes reigning LDWS UK champion Emil Rosberg (Sweden), two-time world champion Joe Miller (U.K.), Ilija Djurdjevic (Serbia); American’s Ryan Steenberg, Kevin Shook, Will Hogue and Maurice Allen, and Tommy Hug, James Tait and Scott Bevan (all U.K.).

The stars, along with three UAE wildcard qualifiers, will compete for a purse of the AED 94,500 (£19,000).

If you fancy testing your swing against the world’s heaviest hitters, register here or simply show up on Friday. It’ll cost you AED 996 (£200) but includes VIP tickets and access to the players’ lounge during the event, along with a lifetime of kudos from your pals if you qualify.

Enter the UAE Wildcard Qualifiers

The LDWS main event takes place from 7pm. Entry is free with VIP packages available for purchase. Fans are also welcome to attend the open qualifiers from 10am (also Feb. 9) and player seeding at 3pm.

Having launched in Dubai last March before momentum generating stops in the U.K. and Portugal last year, the 2018 LDWS has upped the ante with 10 events earmarked: Dubai (Feb.9), Mexico (March 15-19), South Africa (April 11-13),  United States (May TBC), United Kingdom (June TBC), Sweden (July TBC), Russia (Aug. TBC), Portugal (Sept. TBC), China (Oct. TBC), Turkey (Nov. TBC).

For more details visit: longdriveworldseries.com

The post ‘Blonde Bomber’ Burke back to defend Dubai LDWS title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 32-year-old won his second World Long Drive Championships title in Thackerville, Oklahoma in October but his preparation for the bow of the rival series in Dubai has been limited to an indoor simulator and as many outdoor range sessions as the English winter would allow.

“After a winter break it’s been good to be back out hitting although the weather has been restrictive at home. Obviously the form was good at the end of 2016 so we’ll see tomorrow [Friday] evening,” Miller told Golf Digest Middle East.

Miller will peg it up alongside a whose who of the long driving world on the JGE driving range.

Two-time former world champion Tim Burke looms as the major danger although a windy week in Dubai shapes as an equaliser. Also competing are Englishman Lucas Dornan, American and reigning two-time European champion Maurice Allen, Britain’s Brad Pearmain (2016 Italian champion), Serbia’s Ilija Djurdjevic (2016 Portugal champion) Sweden’s Emil Rosberg (2016 Scandinavian champion) and current world No.2 Ryan Steenberg whom Miller toppled in the Oklahoma final last October.

Local interest will focus on Dubai amateur Ricky Domínguez who earned a start in the £50,000 event with a 351.7 yard hit in an eGolf Megastore qualifier.

SEE ALSO
Dubai amateur Dominguez qualifies for Long Drive World Series with 351.7 yard simulator smash

Miller, whose best competition nudge is 474 yards, admits there is pressure being the reigning world champion but insists he’s up for the early season challenge where he expects Burke to be a particular threat.

“It’s hard work to get to the top so I’d like to stay here. Of course everyone wants to win and it will be tight, especially as we’re into the wind and uphill,” said Miller who clinched the world title with a 423 swat in the final against Steenberg after an earlier 439 yard effort in the semifinals.

“Everyone has a chance due to the heavy wind although Tim Burke probably stands out just a touch.”

SEE ALSO
World champ Joe Miller challenges long drive rival Lucas Dornan to a short game challenge, hilarity ensues

Tonight’s event at JGE begins at 5pm and includes the usual long drive razzmatazz including live a DJ, food trucks and pyrotechnics. Entry is free.

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The Sun and Sand Sports sales manager, well-known in the golf industry for his association with Nike, won a qualifier at eGolf Megastore for one of two wildcards into the £50,000 event which is headlined by reigning two-time world champion Joe Miller.

Dominguez belted a drive of 351.7 yards in the X-Golf simulator at eGolf’s Al Wasl store to pip the brother of JGE’s director of golf, Mark Gregson Walters. Alan Walters registered a tidy 347.5 yards.

SEE ALSO
Joe Miller v Lucas Dornan – short game challenge

Dominguez is “excited about the opportunity to compete against the world’s best” and understandably a little nervous about doing so in front of long drive fans in the stands on the JGE driving from 5pm Friday.

Ricky Dominguez

“Guys like two-time and current world champion Joe Miller and former world champion Tim Burke hit the ball an absolute mile. To be standing on the same long drive grid and competing against guys like that is surreal,” Dominguez said.

“Sure, there will be some nerves. But I think after the first drive is struck the adrenaline will naturally kick in. Hopefully that’ll help me find an extra gear that I haven’t seen before.”

So, could you give the long drive pros a tickle up?

SEE ALSO
VIDEO: How to launch it like UK champion Lucas Dornan

“Well Joe [Miller] is well known for his 437 yard drive in the 2016 World Long Drive Final so that’s what I’m up against! If I can hit the grid consistently and achieve a personal best, you never know what might happen.”

eGolf Megastore founder and CEO Dean Cheesley was thrilled with the response to the #LDWS qualifier and wouldn’t be surprised to see Dominguez shine on Friday night.

EGolf Megastore founder and CEO Dean Cheesley congratulates Ricky Dominguez on his near 352 yard bomb

“You have to remember that a stipulation of the eGolf qualifier was that competitors were not permitted to warm up on our X-Golf simulator before registering their drives. If you take that into account, Ricky’s drive of 351 yards is a mighty hit,” Cheesley said.

“We asked Ricky to hang around and hit some more balls after the competition had closed and once he got warmed up… let’s just say that 390+ is not out of the equation.

“If you follow it closely, you can understand that the sport of long drive is on the verge of exploding globally. It’s been that way for a couple of years now and this new World Long Drive Series may just be the initiative that takes it to the next level.

“It’s going to be a world class event on Friday night and the team at eGolf is certainly proud to be associated with it.”

The post Dubai amateur Dominguez qualifies for Long Drive World Series with 351.7 yard simulator smash appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Dornan is in Dubai promoting the new Long Drive World Series which will take its global bow at Jumeirah Golf Estates on March 17.

The 31-year-old Londoner and two-time reigning world champion Joe Miller headline a who’s who of the long driving world confirmed for the inaugural £50,000 (US$62,000) event which will be streamed live around the globe and proceeds tournaments earmarked for London, Asia and the U.S.

The JGE tournament will also feature two wildcard picks, one of which is open to a UAE amateur via a qualifying tournament launched by Dornan Monday at eGolf Megastore’s Al Wasl shop.

Dornan gave the store’s X-Golf simulator, and the ear drums of shoppers on hand for the made to media promo, a fright to launch the Long Drive World Series.

With his 415 yard marker laid down, weekend warriors are now invited in store for the next three weeks to try and qualify for the main event on the European Tour Performance Institute driving range at JGE which will have all the usual long drive razzmatazz including pyrotechnics and onsite DJ.

Lucas Dornan had the X Golf simulator at eGolf Megastore spitting out some spectacular numbers on Monday including this bomb

Like normal long drive competitions, amateurs will be given three minutes on the simulator (eight balls max) to be crowned the UAE’s longest amateur and must keep their ball inside a grid that is 100 yards wide. The grid for JGE will be an even narrower 60 yards and 550 yards long – with the aim of winning the event and breaking the current world record of 515 yards.

The weekend warrior winner mightn’t be able to compete with the long ball pros at JGE – Miller’s winning drive at last year’s world championships was 423 yards (he hit a 439 yarder in the semifinals), while Dornan’s competition best was four yards longer – but they will surely savour the experience.

Two-time former world champion Tim Burke, fellow American and reigning two-time European champion Maurice Allen, Britain’s (2016 Italian champion), Serbia’s Ilija Djurdjevic (2016 Portugal champion) Sweden’s Emil Rosberg (2016 Scandinavian champion) and current world No.2 Ryan Steenberg are also lined up.

“This event promises to inject some real glamour into the sport that I love and I am very proud to be lining up alongside these players…they really are the cream of the crop,” Dornan said.

“We will we push each other to our limits and in the right conditions, I expect to see drives well in excess of 400 yards across the board.”

The JGE event includes an open qualifier on March 16 to secure the other wildcard spot. The final the following day will run into the evening.

Said Miller: “I am really excited to be competing in Dubai in the first Long Drive World Series… an amazing location with an elite field of proven winners from around the world. It’s going to be an exciting event and hopefully I can reign in the desert.”

Photo by Kristina Nabieva

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