A Preview of What's Coming: Scottie Pearman & Visit Reno Tahoe at Wildcreek Golf Course
With the 2026 World Long Drive Championship, presented by Silver Legacy, Eldorado, Circus Circus - Reno, a Caesars Rewards Destination, inching closer, Scottie Pearman, the World No. 1 ranked player, met up with Mike Larragueta, President and CEO of Visit Reno Tahoe, at Wildcreek Golf Course, the home site of this year's Championship, for a live demo and first look at what's coming to Northern Nevada this October.
A Historic Three-Year Partnership
The Championship marks the beginning of a three-year partnership between World Long Drive, Wildcreek Golf Course, Visit Reno Tahoe, and Caesars Entertainment, bringing the world's longest hitters to Reno for 2026, 2027, and 2028.
"So excited to partner with the World Long Drive Championship, featuring the best of the best men's and women's long drive hitters from across the world," said Larragueta. "Thirty countries represented, here in October. Elevation, dry air, the ball is going to fly. Come out and see us."
The Numbers Behind the Spectacle
Pearman didn't hold back describing what fans can expect. "You're going to see some of the longest drives you've ever seen in your entire life, an atmosphere unlike any other," he said. "You're going to see some great golf swings, some non-traditional golf swings. But at the end of the day, you're going to see distances on that board that you've never seen before."
Just how fast are we talking? Pearman's fastest recorded clubhead speed is 163 mph, with a competition average sitting between 150 and 155 mph. For comparison, the average PGA Tour swing speed hovers around 113 mph.
Then there's the equipment itself. Pearman's long drive setup looks almost nothing like a standard driver. "A normal driver is probably 45 inches or so, anywhere from nine to 10.5 degrees of loft," he explained. "This is the polar opposite in every aspect. My driver is set at three degrees, your putter has more loft than this driver. It's a regular flex, so it's got some kick to it, not stiff like a telephone pole. It takes a lot of timing to get used to it, and once you do, it's hard to go back."
Why Elevation Changes Everything
For Pearman, Reno's elevation and dry conditions are exactly what makes this Championship venue so exciting. "Distance is relative to location," he said. "When you're at a higher elevation, the ball's going to go a lot further. That's what people want to see, a 400-yard drive, maybe even a 500-yard drive in competition. It's been a long time since that's happened, and it's definitely possible."
A Homecoming for Visit Reno Tahoe
For Larragueta, the event carries personal significance as well. A Northern Nevada native and former junior and high school golfer, he's played Wildcreek Golf Course many times over the years. "It's a special place in my heart," he said. "To see what they've done to support First Tee and to bring the World Long Drive Championship here to Northern Nevada and Reno Tahoe really means a lot to all of us."
Larragueta also stepped up to the tee himself for a taste of what competitors will experience in October, a moment that speaks to just how different long drive really is from the game most golfers know. "I just hope I don't embarrass myself," he laughed beforehand. The result: a solid strike that, in his words, "got some airtime."
Mark Your Calendars
The 2026 World Long Drive Championship tees off October 15-17 at Wildcreek Golf Course in Reno, Nevada. As Pearman put it, "We're going to be teeing right here, hitting the longest balls you've ever seen. Come on and bring it. You better be here."
Watch the full video above, and get your tickets now for the 2026 World Long Drive Championship.
GET TICKETS NOW → https://shorturl.at/XAbGc
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