August 11, 2009

WESTERVILLE, OH — Brian Long did not flirt with a 13-under 59, 3-under 69, or 7-over 79. He did not play in Akron, OH or even Reno, NV. He did however experience a birdie binge over the weekend that resulted in 50 points in 5 holes. The 'C player' from Westerville, OH made some key putts at both Royal American and Safari Golf Clubs to impress many over the weekend.

“I’m speechless,” Long said. “To be honest, I didn’t play that well, but I holed good putts which I needed. I never imagined so many birdies. My confidence to birdie almost any hole hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Long birdied the 3rd and 5th holes at Royal American on Saturday. He also made 4 pars scoring a very impressive 85 points.

He returned to golf at Safari Golf Club on Sunday with a 98 degree heat index. Long birdied 10th, 12th, and 13th holes for 30 points.

"You really do not respect the heat until you have a mild summer," says Brian Long. "The baking heat came out of nowhere on Sunday and left me defenseless without my Gold Bond."

Columbus, OH has received 3 days in the 90's this summer, which included Sunday. The last 90 degree day occured in June.

Long carded 3 birdies, 1 par, 3 double-bogeys, 1 triple-bogey, and 2 quadruple-bogeys at Safari Golf Club. "The string of birdies went to his head," said Kyle Marti. "He got a little too confident in his game."

Long shot a 9-over 45 on the back nine with 3 birdies. Long was 2-under with 5 holes to play.

"I have got to go out there and play aggressively conservative or conservatively aggressive," added Long. "I am not sure which, but the peak season for golf is almost over and still 20 points per round out of first place."

The reporters looked spooked after the weird comment.

Long carded just 53 points on Sunday, which moved him into 32nd place in the 2009 Virtual Tournament with 58.5 points per round.