May 29, 2005

BELLVILLE, OH — Brian Long and Jamie Myers played golf on Saturday, but not to bogey.  Not even close.  Everyone hits a ball into the woods and some hit it deeper than others.  But on Saturday, both of these young men broke the same record that stood for years and was thought to be untouchable.

Teeing up on Hole 8 at Deer Ridge on Saturday morning, Brian Long launched his ball what was later measured to be a staggering 154 yards into the woods.  "It was pretty deep," says Long.  "I think my shot is being taken out of context, but I do admit the measurement was 154 yards."  The ball elipsed the trees easily and kept going until it his it's first tree what was thought to be 142 yards into the woods.

"It was pretty funny," says partner and brother Greg Long.  "It was one of those shots that even the most optimistic partner on the planet would not have said, "Maybe it will hit a tree and bounce back.""

Jamie Myers stepped up to the tee box shortly after.  He launched his own version, but nutted his drive in comparison.  His ball rested just outside Brian's at an unthinkable 163 yards.  Most likely 180 yards from the center of the fairway.

"I felt like a normal hacker when I entered the woods in hunt for my ball," says Myers.  "After I was in there pretty deep, I would say 100 yards, it seemed like I was not golfing, but on a hike in the Smokey Mountains."  Myers first found Brian's ball at rest 154 yards in the woods.  He proceeded away from the tee and away from the green where he found his ball against a tree.  He clearly surpassed the new record of 154 yards with his 163 yards into the woods.

Both players played their provisionals.  Brian's second play laid to rest on the men's tee after skying a 20 yard bomb.  Jamie Myers learned his lesson and played his shot directly down the middle of the fairway.  So perfectly down the middle, the 150 yard stake was removed for his 4th shot to the green.

Both hackers shot 33 and 32 for the On Tour Championship.  Both players along with Greg Long will attend the annual major championship next week in Pennsylvania.  One thing is for sure, both Brian and Jamie better get some control before they kill someone or even worse wear a dreadful outfit.