BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Walk tall and carry a big stick is Kevin Winn?s motto.
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Kevin Winn?s goal is to win the world championship long driving competition. He will try and achieve that goal in Las Vegas next month. |
Three years ago, Winn set out to establish himself as a premier, world-class long golf ball driver. With hard work and undying determination, Winn is at the doorstep of achieving his dream.
Recently, Winn won first place at a long ball competition in Ottawa for local qualifying. He then travelled to Ajax last weekend to compete in another event. In 25 mile per hour head winds, Winn smashed drives of 340 and 330 yards. It was good enough for third place.
This finish guaranteed him a spot in the Remax World Long Drive Championship in Las Vegas from Oct. 14-18.
Getting the chance to become the world?s best has given Winn a feeling of pride and a sense of accomplishment.
?Qualifying for the world championship is one of the best feelings I?ve ever had,? said Winn. ?I?ve been trying to do it for three years and I?ve finally made it.?
Winn has been golfing for 20 years. He has always had the ability to crush a ball further than the average man, but didn?t always have the control necessary to make his stunning drives useful all the time.
His passion for the long ball game came about three years ago when he competed in a competition at a local driving range. He tried just for the fun of it. Winn walked away with first place.
At about the same time, Winn met Eric Whissell, owner of the Golf Shop and a golf instructor. Some friends of Whissell had seen Winn smashing long drives at a tournament, but also saw him struggle with control. They recommended Winn go see Whissell. He did and it changed his life.
?Eric brought me to where I am today,? said Winn. ?He?s an amazing coach and he helped me add 60 to 100 yards to my drive.?
Whissell is amazed at Winn?s natural ability to send golf balls for a long, long ride.
?He?s got God given talent and has world class power,? said Whissell. ?He?s a big strong guy with tremendous hand-eye co-ordination.?
Whissell helped Winn address his swing mechanics.
?I helped him control his awesome power.?
Titelist has a machine called the launch monitor. It has clocked Winn?s club swing speed at a whopping 145 mph.
Tiger Woods checks in at about 120 mph. Winn?s ball velocity, which is the speed the ball leaves the club head, has been clocked at a staggering 205 mph.
Winn has a mind-boggling personal best drive of 440 yards.
At the World Championship, Winn will square off against the 96 best long ball drivers in the World. Winn believes he will make an impact and make Northern Ontario proud.
?My chances are great and there?s no reason I can?t win,? said Winn. ?My ultimate goal is to be the best.?
Winn is the only person from Northern Ontario going. He will draw inspiration from his family as he faces the best.
?My wife, Jeanine has given me tremendous support throughout the years,? said Winn. ?My mom and dad have also been a big help.?
Winn stands six-foot-two and weighs 220 pounds. There?s more to hitting the long ball than just pure power.
?You definitely need power, but you have to have skill and technique,? said Winn. ?You have to swing the club fast and hit the ball square all the time.?
Winn uses the longest club allowed. His club is triple stiff and measures 52 inches long. He will need about US $3,000 to complete his journey to becoming one of the best in the world.
?One way or another, I am going because it?s a chance of a lifetime,? said Winn. ?I?ll borrow money if I have to.?
Winn is a graduate of Canadore College and has been an industrial mechanic with Inco for eight years.
