September 19, 2002

NIU WOMEN'S LINK BOSS PAM TYSKA ADVANCES TO REMAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS
SOUTHLAKE, TX - In the movie Tin Cup, Kevin Costner gives a poetic speech on the proper way to hit a golf ball. He concludes by saying there is only one other way to hit the ball: "Grip it and rip it." That is exactly what Northern Illinois University women's golf coach Pam Tyska did on September 14 in Roselle as she qualified for the finals of the Remax World Long Drive Championships.

Using a 9 degree Zevo Compressor driver, the 17-year Huskie links boss cranked a drive of 278 yards at the Green Valley Driving Range to qualify for the world summit, October 14-19 in Mesquite, NV. Competing in the long drive competition for the second year, Tyska reaches the world championships for the first time after losing by a foot at last year's competition.

"I'm excited to go on to the world finals," Tyska said. "It will complete my entire long drive adventures that I've been experiencing for the last two years. I'm lucky to be able to take part in the full circle experience after only being involved in the sport for two years."

Competitors from all over the country started qualifying in local competitions during the summer, with the district competitions being held in September. Twenty-four women from 17 districts qualify for the world championships. Starting on October 16th, the 24 golfers are cut down to a six-person championship. Last year Lee Brandon won the title with a drive of 291-feet, 3-inches.

This year's finals takes place at the Palms Golf Club in Mesquite, NV. A tape-delayed broadcast of the competition will air on ESPN on Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. CDT.

-Copy by Michael Smoose

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