RE/MAX TO SPONSOR NORTH AMERICAN LONG DRIVING EVENT

RE/MAX International, Inc., an international real estate organization with more than 41,000 sales associates in nearly 2,500 offices -- including Cape Girardeau -- has announced its title sponsorship of the 1995 RE/MAX North American Long Driving Championship.

The competition is an internationally-televised, annual golfing event with a $100,000 purse that is open to the public.

Through July, local qualification events for the RE/MAX North American Long Drive Championship will take place at golf courses and driving ranges in more than 105 cities throughout North America. The local qualifying is expected to attract more than 5,000 amateur and professional golfers, each testing their skill in driving a golf ball the farthest.

The closest local qualifying will take place June 17 at the Forest Park Golf Course in St. Louis. For more information on the local qualifying, call local RE/MAX broker associate Jamie Estes at 334-6161.

The entry fee for the local qualification event is $30. Each participant will be allowed to hit six golf balls. Up to five local winners from each city will advance to the district, semi-final level.

During July and August, the district, semi-final competitions will be held in 15 cities. Two winners from each district level competition will advance to the finals in Las Vegas.

At the Championship Weekend in Las Vegas Sept. 10-12, the 30 district level winners will compete with the 1994 Long Drive Championship winner and runnerup, seven past National Long Drive Champions and the 1995 Rose Bowl Long Drive Champion to make up a group of 40 finalists.

The 1995 RE/MAX North American Long Drive Championship winner will receive $30,000. All finalists will receive a minimum of $450 in cash or merchandise for their participation in the championship.

ESPN is scheduled to air an hour-long special on the 1995 RE/MAX North American Long Drive Championship.