County long drive champions crowned

FRANKLIN — Golfers have been competing in qualifying events since July to earn the opportunity to win the title of Longest Drive Champion in six divisions: Men’s Overall, Women’s Overall, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Junior Boys and Junior Girls Divisions. The 6th Annual Long Drive Championship was held on Friday, September 11th at the Crystal Springs Black Bear Golf Course under the direction of Black Bear Golf Course General Manager Dan Hintzen and Event Coordinator Dave Lurin.

At the conclusion of the competition Rob Mac’s drive of 313 yards was long enough to earn him the title of overall Sussex County Long Drive champion. Mary Lou Nicolleti’s drive of 208 yards was good enough to earn her the Women’s overall title.

The youngest competitor, Annka Johnson, 14, hit one of the longest drives of all of the female qualifiers, winning the Junior Girls title with a drive of 187 yards.

Ralph Jones took top honors in the Men’s Senior Division with a drive of 273 yards, and Lisa Roth won the Senior Women’s title with a drive of 199 yards. Matt Dickson’s drive of 284 earned him the Junior Boy’s title.

The men’s and women’s Division Champions received Crystal Springs Golf Resort 7-Star Weekly Memberships and the Division Champions received a Crystal Springs Golf Resort 8 Pack entitling them to 8 free rounds of golf on any of the Resort’s outstanding golf courses. All overall and division winners were given a Black Bear Head cover.

— Photos courtesy of John Whiting