Drivers go long at International.

Byline: Bill Doyle

COLUMN: GOLF NOTES

Allen McDougall is 6 feet, 4-1/2 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. He lifts weights five times a week and has the biceps to prove it.

Believe it or not, he's a professional golfer. It probably wouldn't surprise you as much to hear that he's a member of the Long Drivers of America.

Twenty of the LDA golfers played Wednesday in a pro-am at the world's longest golf course, the 8,325-yard Pines Course at the International in Bolton. McDougall was one of the eight who qualified to compete for a trophy named after Dan Weadock, the club's former owner who died in a car accident two years ago.

Each of the eight teed up six balls from atop the hill behind the 18th green and lashed them soaring into the 18th fairway. LDA Hall of Famer Art Sellinger urged the contestants to "just hit it toward Connecticut."

David Gureckis, 34, of West Bridgewater won with a drive of 342 yards despite a stiff breeze and hitting softer Pinnacles than those used in competition.

"I know there's no money in it," said Gureckis, who has finished as high as fourth in the World Long Drive Championships, "but it's something I wanted to win because it's the first one."

During the pro-am, McDougall said it felt strange to golf and not sweat. The week before, he played in 107 degrees in his hometown of Scottsdale, Ariz. McDougall, 30, works as a business banker and moonlights as a long driver.

He pocketed $12,500 for finishing seventh in the world last October, and he estimates he has earned roughly $25,000 over the past year.

He spent most of it on an engagement ring. The wedding day will be April 12.

As a high school senior in 1995, he was honored as Colorado Springs, Colo., athlete of the year in golf and basketball. McDougall went on to play golf at the University of Colorado, then on the mini-tours before joining the LDA.

With a Krank El Diablo driver that is two inches longer than standard, he has been clocked at 155 miles an hour for swing speed and 220 miles an hour for ball speed. He insists he has never had a sore back. His longest drive in competition is 448 yards.

"There are some guys who can hit it 530 yards," he said.

On the 567-yard, par-5 12th hole last week, McDougall hit a 5-iron 225 yards to within 20 feet of the cup, but downplayed the accomplishment because the shot played downhill and downwind. He two-putted for birdie.

A few years ago, LDA Hall of Famer Brian Pavlet put his second shot on the Pines' 715-yard, par-6...