Endless Summer brings world-class power and festival energy to Belleville

On a summer night in Belleville, a sound that cuts through the music is the crack of a driver meeting a golf ball, followed by a cheering crowd as it watches it fly farther than most people have ever witnessed in person.

That is the draw of the Endless Summer Long Drive Championship at Trillium Wood Golf Club, where golf meets spectacle under the lights.

Returning to Belleville this June, the Endless Summer Long Drive Championship transforms the links into something closer to a summer festival than a traditional golf tournament, blending elite competition with music, lights, and a crowd that leans more concert than clubhouse.

“Because there is nothing else like it. This isn’t just a golf event, it’s a two-day, high-energy sports experience that feels more like a stadium show than anything you’ve seen on a golf course,” said Jodie Jenkins, CEO of Zeke Agency. “You’ve got the best long drivers in the world, music pumping, full bleachers packed with fans, and a vibe that just hits differently.”

Set for June 25 and 26, the event draws some of the longest hitters in the world, with competitors travelling from across Canada and internationally to compete for distance, bragging rights, and a growing share of attention in the long drive circuit.

But what makes Endless Summer stand out is not just how far the ball travels. It is how the experience lands.

More than a golf event

Even for those who have never picked up a club, the appeal is immediate. There is no slow pace or quiet etiquette here. Spectators gather along the grid, music plays throughout the evening, and the energy builds as drives push past the 350 and even 400-yard mark.

“The energy. Everyone expects big drives, they don’t expect the atmosphere,” Jenkins said. “The DJ, the crowd engagement, the noise, the way fans pack into the bleachers and stay locked in all day into the night. It catches people off guard in the best way.”

The night finals, in particular, have become a signature draw. Under the lights, with a DJ and a packed crowd, the competition takes on a completely different feel.

It is that shift, from sport to spectacle, that has helped the event grow beyond its local roots.

A growing draw for visitors

What started as a regional competition has steadily expanded, attracting athletes and spectators from well beyond Eastern Ontario.

“It’s grown fast, and it keeps accelerating,” Jenkins said. “We’re now welcoming athletes from all over North America and beyond, the U.K., Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and with that comes their families, teams, and fans.”

Organizers say the event is now drawing a mix of dedicated golf fans, curious first-timers, and travellers looking for something different to anchor a summer weekend.

“We’re seeing more spectators making the trip in Ottawa, Toronto, even the U.S., because word is getting out that this is one of the most exciting sports events in Ontario,” Jenkins added.

That mix is exactly what makes it a fit for the Bay of Quinte region, where visitors can pair the event with waterfront dining, local wineries, cycling routes, and a growing list of festivals and attractions.

For many, Endless Summer is no longer just a stop. It is becoming the reason for the trip.

Big distance, real impact

The numbers alone are enough to turn heads.

“We’re regularly seeing drives in the 380 to 450 yard range, and that’s not a typo,” Jenkins said. “The men are flying it over 400 yards, and the women are right there pushing 320 to 350 yards.”

But the scale is something that needs to be seen in person.

“The sound off the face, the height, the hang time, and then watching a ball just keep going and going. It doesn’t look real the first time you see it. TV doesn’t do it justice.”

Building a destination experience

The event’s continued growth has been fuelled in part by strong local support, with businesses, volunteers, and tourism partners helping to shape it into something bigger than a standalone competition.

“It’s a big one. Hotels are full, restaurants are busy, patios are packed. You feel it across the whole region,” Jenkins said. “And beyond the economic impact, there’s a real sense of pride. The community shows up, local businesses get behind it, and it becomes something Belleville can truly call its own.”

That community connection is also reflected in its charitable component, with proceeds supporting organizations including the Gleaners Food Bank and the Military Family Resource Centre.

This year, the event is also expanding its military component, including the Canadian Armed Forces Military Long Drive Championship and a Canada vs. U.S. exhibition, adding another layer to an already high-energy lineup.

For Jenkins, the growth of the event is personal.

“This started as an idea, and now we’re talking about the biggest long drive event in the world, right here in Belleville,” Jenkins said. “Seeing the growth, the support, the crowds, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Looking ahead, organizers continue to build on that momentum, adding new elements and expanding the reach of the event each year.

Plan your visit

Endless Summer runs June 25 and 26 at Trillium Wood Golf Club in Belleville. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, with accommodations and restaurants across the Bay of Quinte region filling quickly during the event.

Whether you are a golf fan or just looking for a high-energy way to spend a summer evening, Endless Summer offers something unexpected.

Come for the distance. Stay for the atmosphere. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself planning your next visit before the final drive even lands.