World Long Drive Championships return to northern Colorado

Sean Johnson and Monica Lieving hoping to win again

By Jim Bebbington

The World Long Drive Championship is returning to northern Colorado next week and two Colorado players are in the hunt for titles.

The World Long Drive Championship is Sept. 25 to 27 at Bigfoot Turf Farm in LaSalle. The turf farm has been used for the championships for several years because it is one of the only grassy areas that can accommodate drives that can top 450 yards.

The top-ranked women’s long-driver in this circuit is Monica Lieving, a Denver Realtor. On the men’s side Sean Johnson from Durango is currently ranked No. 5 in the world.

The World Long Drive Tour began competition in March this year and next weekend’s championship is the end of their eight-event season.

Johnson is the defending champion. The Durango native lives in Charlotte, NC, now. A 2013 pick by the Chicago Cubs , Johnson left professional baseball in 2021 after suffering a torn labrum and began competing in long drive competitions that yea. He won the 2024 world championship at Eagles Landing Country Club in Atlanta, his first win on the tour. He was runner-up in 2023, losing the finals by one yard, and won last year with a drive in the finals of 411 yards – winning by one yard.

Lieving began participating in long drive competitions in 2022 after being spotted on a Denver-area course by another player who urged her to give it a try.

Schedule

Sept. 25 – 8 a.m. Open Division Round 1

4:30 p.m. Senior Division Championship

Sept. 26

9 a.m. Open Division Rounds 2 and 3

Sept. 27

8 a.m. Amateur Division

11 a.m. Amateur Division Championship

12:30 p.m. Open Division Round 4

2 p.m. Women’s Division Round 1

3 p.m. Youth Clinic

3:30 p.m. Women’s Championship

4:30 p.m. Open Division Championship