Zandvoort, The Netherlands, August 22nd, 2009

A great gift from the Long Drivers of America (LDA)

A young Fin named Antti Saleva (24) won the ELD RIWAL European Open 2009 for Longdrivers at the KLM Open in Zandvoort. The Fin takes home his first price, a cheque of 15,000 Euro and a qualification for the World Longdrive Championship. The only thing the Fin did not win was a lucky shot opportunity for a new BMW 125 I coupe.

On Saturday, August 22nd the Fin will participate in the European team to compete for the JLG Continents Cup 2009 for Longdrivers when Europe will compete to America!

Yesterday, August 21st the Fin Antti Saleva (24) has won the challenging competition of the ELD RIWAL European Open 2009 for Longdrivers at The Kennemer G&CC where simultaneously the KLM Dutch Open takes place.

In a challenging final the Fin beat 7 other of the best Longdrivers in the world, amongst them also the Dutch best Longdriver Stef Gresel who regretfully did not control his nerves enough to win the championship, but for sure Stef showed his talent to the audience. During the competition the longest shot measured was 360 meters with a strong headwind of 4-5 an unbelievable distance. After the Fin received his price of 15,000 Euro he also received 2 unexpected extra opportunities.

First of all he was given a single shot opportunity (1 ball only) to beat his own winning ball. If he were to hit further with this single ball he would have received a new car (BMW 125 I coupe). The Fin was so excited about his championship that his extra ball went OB, his excitement was none the less.

Secondly he received an unexpected reward as the highest European finisher at the ELD RIWAL European Open 2009 from a cooperation between Long Drivers of America (LDA) and the Euro Longdrivers (ELD).

The reward: “As the highest European finisher at the 2009 ELD RIWAL European Open he receives an invitation to participate at the finals of the 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, the premier event in power golf, which takes place October 25-30 in Mesquite, Nevada.”

The exemption to the RE/MAX world finals came as a complete surprise to all the players present at the ELD RIWAL European Open 2009.

Karl Gross (CEO ELD): "This proves that all the Longdrivers in the world have the best sport in their hands, let us continue down the road in creating a real global sport!"

Art Sellinger (CEO LDA): "We are extending this special exemption to the 2009 RE/MAX world finals in acknowledgement of the growth of European long drive. The ELD RIWAL European Open has attracted a deep and talented field of long drivers. A deserving world finalist will emerge."