Galante, Laboy Swing their Way to Long Drive Titles
BETHPAGE, N.Y. (October 5, 2024) – On a perfect October day, golf balls flew down the Bethpage State Park Polo Fields in the 2024 Lexus Long Drive Championship. USGA/MGA Golf Club member Remington Laboy and Claire Galante of Nassau took home the championship belts, with Laboy earning the title for the first time and Galante defending her title from 2022 after last year's event was cancelled due to weather.
After the regulation round, a playoff between the top two qualifiers determined the men's and women's overall winners.
In the championship final, Laboy edged MGA eClub - Long Island member Michael LaLuna by two yards, 335 to 333.
Laboy and LaLuna were tight all day, with the two hitting at the same time during the regulation round and being separated by just one yard, Laboy at 350 and LaLuna 349.
“When I saw the marker walk three steps from Mike’s best [in the championship match] to mine I was hoping it was three steps further back,” said Laboy after getting his hands on the championship belt.
“This event is more free swinging than a typical round of golf,” added Laboy. “What I did today is pretty on par for my game—hit six OB, and one pretty far.”
iLaboy made a marked improvement upon his numbers from 2022, when his longest qualifying drive measured 294 yards to place him 26th in the competition.
On the women’s side, Galante beat USGA/MGA Golf Club member Ashley Pynn with a drive of 253 in the championship match. Galante’s best drive that stayed on the grid came during regulation, stopping 275 yards down range.
“No expectations," said the 21-year-old Hofstra senior. "I just try to do my best everyday and remember my love for the game. Winning is always a great feeling. It gives me more confidence in my swing and game and hopefully a third time next year.”
Mutliple division titles were also awarded, with Youth on Course - MGA member Jiajun Wang claiming both the boys' and junior division titles thanks to a 345-yard drive. The 15-year old tied for the third longest drive of the day overall, and bested his next best division competitor, Maguire Bruce-Lockhart of Arcola by 25 yards.
John Shurina of Nassau Players Club collected the men's senior division title, firing a drive 328 yards. He and Scott Williams of Blue Hill (305 yards) were the two seniors that surpassed the 300-yard mark. Kathleen Hopkins of Crab Meadow Women's Club claimed the women's senior division title with a 191-yard strike.
In the third year of the Lexus Long Drive Championship, nearly 50 golfers blasted away on the Bethpage Polo Fields, wowing the crowd as 19 competitors tallied a drive over 300 yards. With five different champions in the three-year history of the event, the 2025 Lexus Long Drive Championship promises to be another exciting installment of the championship schedule.