Laroque, a 43-year-old father of six from Roseau River, was crowned champion at a Re/Max regional qualifier in Sylvan Lake, Alta. over the weekend and has earned himself a trip to the World Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nev., from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5.

"I watched it on TSN one time and said to myself, 'one day I wouldn't mind going out there,'" Laroque said in a telephone interview on Monday.

That day is coming sooner than Laroque could have imagined.

More than 130 competitors were in the field at Sylvan Lake, many travelling from far and wide to take part in the double knockout format.

While many of those fellow competitors were dealing with nerves between shots, Laroque took a relaxed approach and it paid off for him.

"I just sat back in my chair and watched other guys hit until they called my name," said Laroque. "It was a surprise. I didn't know I had won until they told me - I was just waiting there and then they told me I had won. I had goosebumps.

"There are a lot of long-ball hitters, but I had the advantage being a low-ball hitter. We were hitting into the wind and most guys are high-ball hitters."

Laroque had some early scares during the qualification round on Friday - including one where he bombed a 354-yard drive, but lost out by two yards. However, he kept it together and made his way into Sunday's final.

A self-proclaimed "weekend warrior," Laroque has always been a long-ball hitter but he had no idea he had what it took to win a big competition like the one in Alberta and have an opportunity to compete for a world title - and the $500,000 pot that is available.

"I usually only play weekends or whenever I can but now that I'm in the worlds, I'm going to be hitting the driving range a little more," said Laroque, who only started golfing in 1985 or 1986. "That $250,000 first prize, that's not chump change."

For a brief moment, Laroque let himself imagine what it would be like to follow up his performance in Alberta on the world stage.

"That would be awesome," he said.

Rob Engley, who organized the local qualifier in June at Fast-Golf, was thrilled to see Laroque move on.

"Lloyd is the most humble person you'll ever meet and this couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," said Engley, who is looking for sponsors to help pay Laroque's way to Nevada. "Alberta is the mecca for long driving in the world and what this shows is that guys who compete here locally have as good a chance as anybody to go to the worlds and win."

While Laroque (who placed fourth at the Winnipeg qualifier) was feeling ecstasy after his victory, it was a case of so-close but no cigar for Winnipegger Scott Cameron in the seniors category.

Cameron's drive came up two inches short and when he was forced into a three-way playoff for the final spot, his drive of 314 yards was three yards shy.

But the dream isn't over yet for Cameron, who plans to attend another qualifier in Montana - along with fellow Manitobans Kyle Armour and Matt Gunning, who also took part in the event held at Sylvan Lake.

ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca