KOLO 8 News Features World Long Drive Ahead of the 2026 Championship in Reno, NV
Reno is getting a preview of what's coming. KOLO 8 News recently caught up with top ranked world long driver Scottie Pearman and Visit Reno Tahoe President and CEO Mike Larragueta out at Wildcreek Golf Course to break down what makes World Long Drive one of the most extreme spectacles in sports, and why Northern Nevada is about to become its biggest stage yet.
The Numbers Don't Lie
The average swing speed on the PGA Tour is roughly 113 mph. Pearman's top mark is 163 mph. The average PGA Tour driving distance sits just over 300 yards. Pearman's longest competition drive on record is an almost unbelievable 486 yards, a personal best he set in the Final Four of last year's World Championship.
"I had so much adrenaline going," Pearman said of the moment. "I'd been hitting it good all day, hit the ball at the right time, got the right bounce, everything lined up, and next thing you know, I have a personal best. And it came at a good time too."
When the KOLO 8 reporter stepped up to try it himself, the result was a reminder of just how difficult this sport really is. "You heard it here first," Pearman joked, "long drive is hard. Trust me, I'm a professional."
A Global Stage, Landing in Northern Nevada
The 2026 World Long Drive Championship presented by Silver Legacy, Eldorado, Circus Circus - Reno, a Caesars Rewards Destination, will bring together the sport's best from 30 countries to Wildcreek Golf Course, October 15-17. For Visit Reno Tahoe, hosting the event is a milestone moment for the region's golf identity.
"We are so thrilled and excited about bringing the World Long Drive competition to Northern Nevada, especially here at Wildcreek," said Mike Larragueta. "We have a plethora of golf options in Northern Nevada, we feel like we're a little golf capital, and this will really help us put it on the stage, bringing the best golfers from all over the world, 30 countries represented, coming to Northern Nevada to hit the longest balls in the world."
What to Expect
With Reno's elevation and fall conditions lining up perfectly for the Championship, expect drives well north of 400 yards from some of the most explosive athletes in golf. This is the fastest ball in sports, golf's biggest spectacle, and nothing else in the game looks quite like it.
Watch the full KOLO 8 News segment above, and get your tickets now for the 2026 World Long Drive Championship, October 15-17 at Wildcreek Golf Course.
GET TICKETS NOW → https://shorturl.at/XAbGc
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