Scott Curiel, who won the long drive contest last year, took first place among the seniors with a drive of 303 yards. Curiel is the pro at The Standard Club in Duluth. Gary Blackwell, an amateur playing for the team led by Jacksonville’s Ray Barr, was second at 291 yards.

Former Colquitt County player Darin Bentz, who will play in his eighth straight Pot o’ Gold this weekend, did not take part in the long drive contest for the first time.

Bentz, who is in charge of maintenance of the playing fields at Florida State University, hurt his back not long ago helping deploy the tarp at a Seminoles baseball game.

Bentz will join Ben Fuller and Reed Davis on the foursome headed up by David Beck of Summerbrooke in Tallahassee.

Aaron Elrod, who joins Lavon Stripling and Glen Fowler in playing for Richard Crawford’s team, took part in his first long drive contest.

Elrod is a freshman member of the Darton College golf team that has turned in pair of second-place finishes so far this season.

Matt Smith, Elrod’s former Colquitt County High teammate and current Darton teammate also is in the Pot o’ Gold field. Smith is playing for Rob Allen, the Stonebridge Country Club pro.

Andy Blanton, the former Colquitt County and Valdosta State player now an assistant pro at the Country Club of Columbus, was fourth in the long drive contest with a drive of 308 yards.

Blanton is playing in his second Pot o’ Gold as a professional and again brings to Bobby Brent Jr., Bobby Brent III and Boo Miller to Moultrie.