From Golf Fan to Long-Drive Professional
Gabi Powel, a former girlfriend of a PGA Tour player, found herself in an unexpected situation during a golf exhibition in Bogota, Colombia, last spring. The announcer called her to the stage and asked her to hit a few shots. To the amazement of the crowd, Powel confidently grabbed her driver and started smashing 300-yard-plus drives down the range.
Powel, a resident of Jupiter, Florida, had always been a talented golfer. She was known as a long hitter during her time at William T. Dwyer High School and Florida International University. However, she never expected to hit the ball longer than the length of three football fields.
After realizing she wasn’t good enough to play on the LPGA Tour, Powel decided to pursue a career as a social media influencer and mentor to young children. But everything changed when the Long Drive Tour came to Hobe Sound in early 2022. Antony Livingston, a fellow competitor, asked Powel to help promote the competition through social media posts. Little did she know that this opportunity would completely alter her path.
When Powel arrived at the competition, Livingston encouraged her to enter the contest after witnessing her impressive swing. Powel took the chance and finished second, launching a new career as a long-drive professional.
Unleashing Her Potential
Powel instantly fell in love with the sport and wondered how far she could take this new endeavor of hitting the long ball. She knew that securing the proper driver was crucial for achieving her goals. Most long-driving competitors use drivers that are 3 inches longer (48) than traditional ones. Powel also had to focus on building up her strength and refining her technique.
Despite having a long swing that wraps around her body, Powel proved that center-face contact is the key to hitting the ball far. Her hard work paid off as she achieved impressive results in various long-drive competitions. She finished fifth last year in a contest in Japan, second in this year’s competition in Denver (where she hit a career-long 367-yard drive), and fifth again in last month’s Long Drive Competition in Atlanta.
Reflecting on her success, Powel said, “It was an awesome year, and I feel like I’m just getting started.”
Passion Beyond Long Drives
Aside from her long-drive career, Powel made headlines when she was dating PGA Tour winner Andy Svensson. This relationship allowed her to caddy for Svensson in the Par-3 Tournament at Augusta National. While she felt nervous when asked to hit a shot on the ninth hole, her experience with charity work helped calm her nerves.
Although her wedge sailed far over the green, Powel embraced the result, saying, “It was on brand for being a long driver,” with a smile. Although she and Svensson are no longer together, Powel stays busy with training and working on the Forward Tees Foundation. She and her friend Hannah Leiner started this foundation, which aims to advance career opportunities for women through golf and beyond.
While helping the next generation is fulfilling, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting a perfect shot for a long-drive professional. Powel describes it as an adrenaline rush and a boost of confidence. Watching the ball disappear into the blue sky is a sight that keeps her motivated to continue pushing her limits.
By: Craig Dolch
Title: This Former Girlfriend of a PGA Tour Player Routinely Hits the Ball Over 300 Yards
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/11/09/gabi-powel-world-long-drive/
Published Date: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:00:34 +0000
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