>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

What does it take to be exceptional? Putting a round ball into a grid five straight times.

Mike Walker took this challenge less than a year ago at Buffalo Peak.

The Exceptional Driver Challenge is part of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.

Walker won the event with a score of 34 points. That earned him a spot at the championship in Mesquite, Nev.

“I didn’t really expect anything going into the event,” Walker said. “As a golfer for only six years, anything could have happened.”

The lefty was nearly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event.

Grandstands full of spectators, a VIP area and television cameras.

The Golf Channel recorded the event and will air it Aug. 28.

Still, Walker managed to do the Grande Ronde Valley proud.

He struggled in the first set, scoring eight points. Walker Bounced back — with a different driver — to score 36 points.

Walker’s total sent him into the loser’s bracket.

After two straight wins, a round of misses reared its ugly head again.

Walker scored zero points in is first set, but put five balls in play in the second to score 43 points. He was awarded a sixth ball, but it missed the mark.

“That’s the way it goes,” Walker said. “It was just great to be a part of the event. Hopefully I’m back there next year.”

Walker plans to head back out to Buffalo Peak Saturday to defend his title.

“I think I’ll be able to handle my nerves a little bit better this time around.”

Buffalo Peak is hosting the RE/MAX Long Drive Challenge and the Expectional Driver Challenge at noon.

The long drive competition is $40 for the open and senior divisions, and $30 for the ladies and super senior divisions.

Contestants get six balls with only the longest ball in play counting.

The Exceptional Driver Challenge is $20. Contestants get five balls to score as many points as possible. Points are awarded for distance and accuracy.