Cincinnatian David Powell discovered the sport of long drive competitions this summer, turning pro and qualifying for this week's world championships in Nevada. Powell answered five questions from Enquirer sports reporter Ryan Ernst.

1. How did you get into long-drive golf?

I've always been a bogey golfer, 18 handicap. This past June, I was at Glenview golf course, on the driving range, and I kept hitting over the nets at the end of the driving range and hitting houses. Their pro came out and said I couldn't drive on their range anymore. He said I could still play there and everything, but I just couldn't use the range. I said OK, and asked if I could hit there without my driver. He said I could hit my 3-wood and I hit my next over the net with a 3-wood, so I was banned from there. And he said, "Buddy you need to get into those long drive contests."

I got the right clubs and got hooked up with the right people.

2. What's the secret?

Club-head speed. You've got to have a fast club-head speed. And you have to have good shafts and all the right equipment. All our clubs are legal, and so are the balls we use. Everything's within USGA rules. But club-head speed is the most important; 150 mph club-head speed is what I have. You need to be around 135 to compete in these things.

3. Tell me about the farthest you've ever hit a golf ball.

I went to Phoenix in the middle of July this past summer. That's the hotbed for a lot of long drivers, and I wanted to size myself up. My goal was to hit the longest ball ever on grass, which was set this summer. So I go to the event, and there's a 15 mph headwind. I ended up hitting one 440. It was a hard grid, and I carried the ball about 375 in the air. Then it rolled 65 yards.

4. Ryan Gearhart, who set the record this summer, hit a 510-yard drive. What's it like knowing you'll be competing with guys like that?

All my buddies were out there when he hit it and set the record. There was a 35 mph tailwind and there was a hard grid - just perfect conditions. My friend was there and hit one 478 out of bounds. There were perfect conditions. Not to take anything away from him, but any one of us that day could have possibly done it if we really got a hold of one. But it's still a long way.

5. What kind of money can someone make?

The top 15 or so guys in the world can definitely make a good living. Jason Zubek, who sort of put the sport on the map - people say he's made millions. If I can win at (the World Championships), with endorsements, people say right around half a million is almost guaranteed. Prize money is $80,000 for first place.