![]() ![]() Not only did the event rekindled memories for the Golden Bear, but the PGA also decided to award replicas of the gold money clip that Nicklaus had so proudly carried in his pocket for five decades. Thirty years after the PGA Championship Long Drive Competition had given birth to a whole new sporting event, the PGA decided to bring back its long drive event at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. ![]() Beginning in 1976, South Korean golf equipment manufacturer Volvik provided major sponsorship for a pro long drive series that was dedicated to determining the longest hitter in the world each year. The gentle giant of Polish descent was a fan favorite in the 26 countries and 45 states where he appeared. Big Cat would go on to win back-to-back world titles and became famous for his long drive exhibitions that included trick shots, such as driving a golf ball through the missing phone book from Big Cat's hotel room. Emerging as the game’s first Renaissance Man, Williams stood 6 foot, 6 inches in height and had the physique of a body builder. That year, one of the world’s longest drivers, Evan “Big Cat” Williams became the first winner of the World Challenge Long Drive Contest with a 366-yard drive. In 1974, the professional long drive event moved away from the PGA Championship to broaden the field and include a new era of long drivers who were not necessarily polished golfers but had developed unique skills as big hitters. 1975 Jeoff Long – Butler National ( 322).1974 – Evan Williams Tanglewood ( 366).1964 – Jack Nicklaus Columbus CC ( 357).1963 – Jack Nicklaus Dallas Athletic ( 341).1949 – Chick Harbert Keller Golf Club ( 305).The legendary golfer repeated his accomplishment winning the PGA Championship Long Drive Competition the next year at the 46 th PGA Championship played at Columbus Country Club on his hometown course. The Golden Bear would rekindle fan interest in the tournament winning in 1963 at the Dallas Athletic Club with a shot of 341 yards, 17 inches using a Persimmon head driver and a wound ball. Jack Nicklaus received a gold money clip for winning the contest and is said to still carry the memento in his pocket to this day. Although not played every year, the PGA Championship Long Drive Competition would become a popular event at the major with competitors teeing it up on Tuesdays. Harbert would be named player-captain of the 1955 Ryder Cup team. Five years later, the Ohio-native won the PGA Championship at Keller Golf Club outside St. The first Long Drive Competition started in 1949 during the PGA Championship, at Hermitage Country Club in Richmond, Virginia, when Chick Harbert won inaugural event with a 305-yard drive. Although briefly interrupted with the onset of World War II, golf product manufacturers began a diligent search for a “best” design for golf balls and golf clubs with the USGA starting to establish limits on ball size and weight as well as allowing for steel-shafted golf clubs with wooden heads that dominated until Gary Adams (founder of Taylor Made Golf) introduced the modern metal wood in the late 1970s. Wood also won the PGA Championship event that same year. In 1933, American golfer Craig Wood would hit the longest drive every recorded in major championship of 430 yards on the fifth hole at the Old Course during the British Open. The PGA of America was founded fifteen years later, and Jim Barnes won the inaugural PGA Championship. Amateur title) using a rubber-core golf ball. That same year, American Walter Travis was the first to win a major tournament (his second U.S. The first private golf club in the United States opened in Bridgeport (Connecticut)in 1895, the same year as the first public golf course opened in the Bronx New York.īy the time, the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) was established in Great Britain and Ireland in 1901, golf was being played in many countries around the world. In the 15 th century, the modern game was first played on a designated course in Scotland where a round of golf consisted of between nine to eighteen holes and was complete with tee boxes, putting greens, and hazards. Although not documented, one would assume this was due to a vicious hook or slice. By 1387, anyone striking a ball with a “couf” (club) inside the town limits would be fined 20 shillings, or his overcoat would be confiscated, indicating the new sport had become too dangerous to be played within the city walls. Since the first golf-like game (called apocryphally) took place in 1297 in the Dutch province of Utrecht, you would have to believe that the Dutchman who struck the leather ball the farthest with a crooked wooden stick was envied by his fellow competitors. ![]()
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