June 23, 2008

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ — Kevin Long, Jr., a.k.a. Winger, shot a 6-over 78 Friday and scored a career-high 85 points in the 2008 Virtual Tournament. The Virginan, who was in 48th position after five rounds, moved up the Leaderboard 18 spots to grab 30th position.

"This is the time of year where you really want to be playing good golf and that’s what I’ve sort of set my goal for throughout the year," Long said.

He played the West Course at Mercer Oaks Golf Club in New Jersey. The course is just over the Delaware River from eastern Pennsylvania.

Long had a chance to play even par on the back nine with 31 strokes after 8 holes. He reached the par 5 18th hole as he starred down history. He finished with bogey and 37 strokes.

Long played with Kyle Marti and Brian Long, who got married on Saturday. Kyle Marti scored a strong 81 points after shooting 87 strokes and a stronger 5-over 41 on the back nine.

Kyle moved upward into a tie for 10th position with Jay Glover of Virginia Beach, VA.

The threesome finished golf and headed back to the hotel.

"We got back to the Marriott and found the hotel on fire," said Long. "We [Brian, Marti, and Kevin] did pretty much what you would expect. We sat in the parking lot and drank a case of Yuengling while the hotel burned. There were five fire trucks and an ambulance there for two hours battling the blaze. The fireman had hoses, axes, and oxygen."

Long carded three birdies during his record-high round including a 9-point birdie at the first hole. He birdied the 14th and 15th holes consecutively.

"It’s unbelievable really," Long said of his round. "It is everyone’s dream to win this season-long event. It would be my first win, so it is massive, an awesome feeling. I cannot really get my head round today's round and position within the tournament. It is going to take a while to sink in."