Irradiation Latest Technique For Adding Distance To Drives

Higher tees, longer shafts and shafts and club heads made from exotic metals and plastics are just a of few of the things golfers have tried in order to hit a ball farther.

From Canada comes a new entry in the distance sweepstakes - irradiated or ``atomic'' golf balls, which are supposed to have more bounce than untreated balls.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment in Pinawa, Manitoba, has been zapping golf balls with gamma rays.

According to an AECL press release, ``The irradiation process changes the molecular structure of the ball's latex core, so that larger molecules are formed. This causes the increased bounce.''

AECL researchers said their ``very unscientific tests'' suggest the atomic balls have three to eight percent more bounce than regular balls, which should add to a shot's distance.

Pat Blais, a 28-handicapper who works in Whiteshell's public information office, said she has used treated balls with less than satisfactory results.

``They didn't seem to help me,'' she said. ``I just hit it in the water or the woods. I leave mine in the bag now. I guess I swing too hard trying to hit it a long ways.''

Balls sent to Whiteshell are placed in a nuclear accelerator and given the same dosage of gamma rays used to kill salmonella bacteria in chickens (300 kilorads).

``As is the case with all irradiated products,'' AECL's press release promises, ``the atomic ball is completely safe to use.''

A spokeswoman for the USGA product testing lab said no manufacturer has applied to have irradiated balls approved for tournament play, so they are not legal for USGA or PGA events.

Blais said there is some debate about whether the balls actually outperform regular ones. ``We sent some to a (club-maker) in the States,'' she said. ``But they told us they didn't work.''

The Times has sent a dozen balls to the lab and will report the results of our own tests with the atomic ball soon. If you can't wait, send your own balls (along with a return address and postage) to:

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1LO Canada.

LONG DRIVE QUALIFIEr

Several dozen players who think they've found the key to hitting balls great distances were at Broadmoor Golf Club yesterday to compete in a long-drive contest.

The qualifiers from yesterday's event will take part in a sectional tournament at Tumwater Valley Aug. 26 that will determine the Northwest's entry at the Long Drive National Finals.

Pat Akins of Federal Way topped the six qualifiers from yesterday's session with a 341.6-yard drive.

The other qualifiers were Kevin Stray (302.4 yards), Brad Sullivan (302.3), Jim Hennessey (298.5), Gary Cooper (297.4) and John Rudeen (295.5).

Also on hand for yesterday's qualifier, but not competing, was Terry Forcum, who was the nation's best long-driver in 1983.

As part of an exhibition before the contest, Forcum drove a ball 279 yards while kneeling. His longest traveled 305 yards.

TREVINO ALERT

The PGA Seniors Tour's leading quipster and money-winner, Lee Trevino, has notified GTE Northwest officials that he will compete when the seniors hit Inglewood Country Club Aug. 24-26.