My9Iron · Internet Invitational Creator Biography
Bobby Ray Bio
Long Way Bobby Ray is a competitive long-drive golfer, entertainer and charity-golf personality with a reported 450-yard competition drive who joined Ryan Ruffels’ White Team at the 2026 Internet Invitational.
Long Way Bobby Ray at a glance
Career records and fundraising totals are attributed to Bobby Ray’s official website; they are not live rankings or independently audited totals.
Who is Long Way Bobby Ray?
Bobby Ray, widely known as Long Way Bobby Ray, is an American competitive long driver, golf entertainer and event personality. His official website lists St. Louis, Missouri, as his hometown and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, as his base. Before his long-drive career, he played collegiate golf at the University of Tampa and completed a degree there, according to World Long Drive’s 2024 feature. He brings an unusual combination of elite driving power and entertainment experience to creator golf.
How far can Bobby Ray hit a golf ball?
Bobby Ray’s official profile lists a longest competition drive of 450 yards, a clubhead speed of 155.2 mph and a ball speed of 229.3 mph. It also records a career-high world long-drive ranking of seventh. These are published career measurements, not claims that he reached every mark during the same round or that they represent his current ranking. Long-drive competition measures distance within a designated grid, which is different from playing a conventional golf round. His competitive progression: World Long Drive reports that he began competing in 2022, placed 12th in his first event and was already hitting drives beyond 400 yards in his debut season. By February 2024, the organization described him as ranked 18th; his personal website subsequently lists a career-best ranking of seventh. These are different dated milestones, not conflicting current rankings. In competition, clubhead speed creates potential distance, but ball speed, strike quality, launch conditions and keeping the ball in the grid determine the result.
Career reporting: World Long Drive — Bobby Ray: Much More Than Just a Long Driver (February 28, 2024).
From Paradise Hotel to golf entertainment
Before appearing in the Internet Invitational, Bobby Ray won the 2019 season of the reality competition Paradise Hotel. His official biography also lists acting appearances and screen projects. World Long Drive recounts that he accepted the reality-show opportunity shortly after graduating, despite needing to leave his job. He later used the experience of performing under television pressure in his approach to long-drive competition. This entertainment background helps explain his energetic presence in creator-golf events, where personality and audience engagement matter alongside golf performance.
Bobby Ray’s charity golf work
Bobby’s own website reports that he has helped raise more than $500,000 for charities through golf outings. His event appearances can include long-drive demonstrations, entertainment and fundraising support. That amount is a self-reported cumulative fundraising figure, not a personal earnings claim. World Long Drive independently profiled his charity-golf involvement in February 2024, describing how he uses driving demonstrations and event appearances to help attract participation and donations. The purpose of these outings is fundraising for organizers and beneficiaries, rather than claiming that all funds go to Bobby.
Is Bobby Ray a good golfer beyond long drive?
In a September 2026 interview with YT Golf Talk, Bobby said he does not regularly maintain a handicap and estimated that he might play around a 3 or 4. A separate event statistics website provides a video-based handicap estimate, but neither is an official, currently verified USGA Handicap Index. Long-drive power is his specialty; tournament golf requires additional short-game and course-management skills.
Bobby Ray’s matches for Ryan Ruffels’ White Team
Bobby Ray joined Ryan Ruffels’ White Team at the 2026 Internet Invitational. In the opening scramble, he partnered with Paige Spiranac and lost 4 and 2 to Roger Steele and Short Game King. In Episode 2 alternate shot, Bobby paired with Jon Gruden and halved their match against Frankie Borrelli and Francis Ellis. White Team advanced after a playoff with Blue Team. The team’s playoff victory was not the overall tournament championship. Follow the 2026 Internet Invitational hub for updated results.
The Episode 1 exchange with Short Game King
A tense exchange between Bobby Ray and Short Game King drew attention during the opening episode. Contemporary reporting describes a disagreement after a comment about Bobby’s shoes. The moment became part of the episode’s online discussion, but it should be understood in the context of an edited entertainment tournament rather than used to define his entire career.
Bobby Ray and Paige Spiranac in the 2026 Internet Invitational
The official opening episode includes Bobby Ray’s scramble match for White Team and his exchange with Short Game King.
Bobby Ray and Jon Gruden in alternate shot
The official second episode includes the alternate-shot match against Francis Ellis and Frankie Borrelli.
Bobby Ray tells all about the 2026 Internet Invitational
In this interview with Mr. Short Game, Bobby Ray discusses his Internet Invitational experience and the attention surrounding his on-course exchange with Short Game King. Hear his own perspective alongside the tournament footage.
Bobby Ray frequently asked questions
Who is Long Way Bobby Ray?
Bobby Ray is a competitive long-drive golfer, golf entertainer and 2026 Internet Invitational participant.
How far has Bobby Ray hit a golf ball?
His official profile lists a 450-yard longest competition drive.
What is Bobby Ray’s world long-drive ranking?
His official biography reports a career-high ranking of seventh; that is not a claim about his current position.
Did Bobby Ray win Paradise Hotel?
Yes, he won the 2019 season of Paradise Hotel.
What is Bobby Ray’s handicap?
He told YT Golf Talk in 2026 that he does not maintain a regular handicap and estimated around 3 or 4.
Which team was Bobby Ray on in the Internet Invitational?
Ryan Ruffels’ White Team in 2026.
More Internet Invitational profiles
Paige Spiranac
Bobby’s opening scramble partner.
Ryan Ruffels
White Team captain.
Francis Ellis
Alternate-shot opponent.
2026 Internet Invitational
Teams, scores and episodes.
Research references
Long Way Bobby Ray official biography · YT Golf Talk interview · 2026 match results.
Choose clubs that fit your own swing
Long-drive records are impressive, but everyday equipment selection should match your swing speed and ball flight.