Alexis Belton, Will Hogue Win 2018 'Clash in the Canyon'

Belton Claims First World Long Drive Title in Just Second-Ever Competition;

Hogue Earns First Victory Since 2016 During Reign as No. 1

(MESQUITE, Nev.) – Alexis Belton (Ruston, La.) and Will Hogue (Collierville, Tenn.) captured the Clash in the Canyon – the first televised World Long Drive Association (WLDA) event of 2018 – amidst a dry Nevada desert backdrop.

Belton’s win – her first – comes in only her second-ever World Long Drive competition (after advancing to the semifinals at the 2017 Volvik World Long Drive Championship last September). The 24-year-old WLDA newcomer utilized a 332-yard drive in the final against Alex Phillips (Las Vegas, Nev.) along with a 334-yard blast in her semifinal match against 2013 Volvik World Long Drive champion Heather Manfredda (Shelbyville, Ky.)

Hogue, the former No. 1 in the World (2016) outlasted the current World No. 1 – Justin James – in the final after connecting on a 413-yard drive. The 32-year-old firefighter/paramedic advanced to the final after beating Ryan Reisbeck (Layton, Utah) courtesy of a 426-yard drive.

The Clash in the Canyon is the second official event of the 2018 World Long Drive season, as Justin Moose claimed the East Coast Classic in Columbia, South Carolina last month. The next stop on the schedule is in three weeks at the Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun, taking place in Maricopa Ariz., and airing live in primetime on Golf Channel, Tuesday, May 15.

OPEN DIVISION FINAL
(6) Will Hogue (Collierville, Tenn.) def. (1) Justin James (Jacksonville, Fla.)

WOMEN’S DIVISION FINAL
(2) Alexis Belton (Ruston, La.) def. (4) Alex Phillips (Las Vegas, Nev.)

OPEN DIVISION SEMIFINAL MATCHES
(1) Justin James def. (8) Ryan Steenberg (Rochester, N.Y.)
(6) Will Hogue def. (3) Ryan Reisbeck (Layton, Utah)

WOMEN’S DIVISION SEMIFINAL MATCHES
(4) Alex Phillips def. (8) Troy Mullins (Los Angeles, Calif.)
(2) Alexis Belton def. (6) Heather Manfredda (Shelbyville, Ky.)

OPEN DIVISION QUARTERFINAL MATCH RESULTS
(1) Justin James def. (30) Jim Waldron (Scottsdale, Ariz)
(8) Ryan Steenberg def. (14) Justin Moose (Columbia, S.C)
(6) Will Hogue def. (15) Kyle Berkshire (Orlando, Fla.)
(3) Ryan Reisbeck (Layton, Utah) def. (18) Nick Kiefer (Chicago, Ill.)