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Long Drive championship can be family affair

| 19 Aug 2016 | 12:17
    Mark's daughter Leena photographs his long drive tee shots to share with friends.
    Mark's daughter Leena photographs his long drive tee shots to share with friends.
    The Sanborn family of wife, Christy, daughter, Lenna, and new son West accompany Event Coordinator Dave Lurin and golfer Buffy Whiting prior to taking part in the Long Drive Qualifier at Black Bear Golf Club.
    The Sanborn family of wife, Christy, daughter, Lenna, and new son West accompany Event Coordinator Dave Lurin and golfer Buffy Whiting prior to taking part in the Long Drive Qualifier at Black Bear Golf Club.
    Mark Sanborn shows excellent form during his long drive qualifying effort.
    Mark Sanborn shows excellent form during his long drive qualifying effort.
    Mark's wife Christy is a proud supporter as she babysits son West.
    Mark's wife Christy is a proud supporter as she babysits son West.

FRANKLIN — The Sussex County Long Drive Championship qualifying events have begun attracting golfers in a Men’s Division, Women’s Division, Seniors Divisions and Juniors Divisions to the Black Bear Golf Club’s long drive qualifying events held every Friday beginning at 5 p.m.
Top performing golfers in each division will compete for the Sussex County Long Drive Championship scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17.
While much attention is paid on the skills of the participants in this event, many of the competing golfers seeking to qualify are supported by their friends and families. That is true of Mark Sanborn who participated in the Long Drive Qualifier held at Black Bear Golf Club on Friday, July 29.
He was accompanied by his wife Christy, daughter Lenna and 1-year-old baby son West.
This was to first time Mark participated in the Sussex County Long Drive Qualifiers and did well with a 285 yard drive.
Although Mark did not qualify at his first attempt, he vowed to return stating “I know I can hit my drive far enough to win this championship”.
The 7th Annual Sussex County Long Drive Championship qualifier competitions began Friday, July 22, with a number of past and new golfers seeking to qualify. They are looking to dethrone the 2015 Long Drive Champion, Rob Mac whose long drive of 313 yards won him the 16th 2015 Sussex Long Drive championship title.
As of this past week the top performers were Kodie Hilbert in the Men’s Division with a best drive of 326 yards, Dona Wallerius in the Ladies Division with a long drive of 218 yards, Leo Mozulay in the Senior Men’s Division with a long drive of 249 yards and Shawn Blandine taking the lead in the Junior Boy’s Division with a long drive of 243 yards.
The 17th 2016 Annual Long Drive Championship qualifiers continue at the Black Bear Golf Club every Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. to determine the qualifiers for the Sussex County Long Drive Championship scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17.