GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« JUNE 2011 How ‘bout that Dawg! UGA senior Henley wins Nationwide Tour event last stop for players on the way to golf’s victories, the most in By Mike Blum major leagues. team history. But after fter earning the Fred Haskins Garcia, Howell and Fowler all scored winning the Brickyard Award as the 2010 outstanding top three finishes on the Nationwide Collegiate in Macon collegiate golfer in the country, Tour shortly before joining the PGA for the second straight Russell Henley came into his Tour, and Henley hopes to join them in year, Henley struggled sAenior season on the Georgia golf team the near future. for the remainder of his with lofty expectations. Henley has the option of turning pro senior season. A

But with the exception of one weekend and joining the Nationwide Tour for the After finishing 2010 as R T S I last Fall in his hometown of Macon, remainder of the 2011 season, but will the top-ranked player in the O O K L

Henley’s final season with the Bulldogs remain an amateur through the country in the Golfweek rankings, A had been a disappointment by almost Summer, hopefully concluding his ama - Henley was 33rd going into the any standards. teur career in the Walker Cup in early NCAA Regionals, and did not All that changed over the course of four September. come close to claiming an eighth days in early May in Athens. Thanks to his victory, Henley will be career title. Stadion Classic at UGA Henley became just the second ama - exempt on the Nationwide Tour in Henley says his struggles were the champion Russell Henley teur to win a Nationwide Tour event, 2012, even if he turns down tour mem - result of “a little problem with my capturing the Stadion Classic at UGA on bership for this year. He would enter backswing,” something he has evidently the golf course he has played on a regular Q school this Fall, knowing he will have ironed out. While Henley did not enjoy “Because I struggled, that only made basis during his four years of college. exempt status on the 2012 Nationwide his rare stretch of consistently sub-stan - me stronger. I kept a positive attitude Less than a week before graduating, Tour if he fails to earn his PGA dard play, he readily admits that it will instead of getting down on myself.” Henley did something that players like Tour card. be beneficial to him in the long run. “Playing bad has made me a Sergio Garcia , Charles Howell and Early last Fall, Henley tied current “I would not be as good a player if I better player.” Rickie Fowler were unable to do as PGA Tour rookie and ex-Georgia played good every time,” Henley said amateurs – win on the tour that is the Bulldog Chris Kirk with seven career after his Nationwide Tour triumph. [ See Henley, page 6 ]

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 3 Instruction Fore You 3021 Kalah Place, Marietta, GA 30067 770-933-04GA • 770-953-6638 (Fax) golfforegeorgia.com • [email protected] PUBLISHER Golf Media, Inc. • John Barrett plane away from the turning chest, while EDITOR Mike Blum the left hand keeps the clubface in the SOCIAL MEDIA / CREATIVE SERVICES proper position. Done correctly there is NO HughesMedia, Inc. How to control CONTRIBUTORS real change in the clubface through impact. Danny Elkins Centrifugal force and the constant left hand Steve Dinberg pressure align the clubface accurately every Al Kooistra the 3 components time (assuming the grip is acceptable). Lake-Finlay Image Group Georgia Golf Course Owners Association Let me emphasize here that there is wrist MARKETING & ADVERTISING action in the golf swing. But there is very John Barrett, Sales of the golf club little feel of wrist action when done prop - Rick Holt, Corporate Sales erly. When you read of good players who ART DIRECTOR By Danny Elkins the concept that for the most part there is say they are trying to take the hands out of Lori Montgomery PGA Director of Instruction no manual manipulation of either during the swing they are referring to the feel of Georgia Golf Center the impact interval. GEORGIA SECTION , less wrists, whether they actually under - The clubface is essentially PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS stand it or not. There are basically three controlled by the left hand (for President So to recap, the left hand controls the Patrick Richardson, PGA • [email protected] different components to a golf right-handers). Place the grip clubface while the right arm controls both Vice President club. There is the clubface, the end in your left hand and the Brian Stubbs, PGA • the clubhead and the clubshaft. It also must clubhead and the clubshaft. shaft in your right hand. Rotate [email protected] be understood that the arms have a very This month’s article will discuss the left hand in both directions Secretary limited range of motion, so without a Mark Mongell, PGA the differences in how each is while keeping the shaft in place. continuous rotation of the body on [email protected] controlled. Done properly you will see that Honorary President the downswing the arms and hands will The distinction between the clubface the clubface rotates around a center point Jim Arendt, PGA • [email protected] have a difficult time performing their and the clubhead is vitally important in while the clubhead does not move in space. assigned tasks. CHAPTER PRESIDENTS understanding how to properly move the So left hand control equals clubface control. Central Chapter President golf club in the swing. It is critical to grasp With the same configuration as above, Jarred Reneau, PGA • [email protected] move the clubhead in space while main - Danny Elkins is the PGA Director of East Chapter President taining a flat left wrist. You are now moving Steve Godley , PGA • [email protected] Instruction at Georgia Golf Center in North Chapter President the clubhead; you are not altering the club - Roswell and a former Georgia PGA Ted Fort , PGA • [email protected] face. So the right arm controls the clubhead Teacher of the Year. He can be (and for that matter the clubshaft as well). reached at 770-992-4233 or at AT - LARGE DIRECTORS The biggest mistake made by the vast [email protected] Daryl Batey, PGA majority of golfers is trying to manually [email protected] Roger Cherico, PGA apply the clubface to the ball somewhere [email protected] near impact. This results in the clubhead John Crumbley, PGA moving off plane prior to impact and the For updates on U.S. Open [email protected] consequences of this off-plane movement Jeff Dunovant, PGA qualifying, the NCAA [email protected] include shanks, tops, fat shots, etc. John Godwin, PGA The proper FEEL through impact is that Championship and [email protected] there are no wrists whatsoever, only a Atlanta Open, please visit Scott Mahr, PGA steady downward hand pressure past the [email protected] www.golfforegeorgia.com Michael Raymond, PGA ball. This steady downward pressure moves [email protected] the clubhead and the clubshaft down the SENIOR DIVISION President Gordon McIntire , PGA • [email protected] INSIDE THIS ISSUE ASSISTANTS ’ DIVISION President David Potts , PGA • [email protected] t FEATURES:: DEPARTMENTS: s Executive Director Mike Paull Assistant Executive Director/ a GTKeorgia pros in PNC ...... 8 U.S. Open preview ...... 18 Chip shots:Tournament Junior Golf Director Scott Gordon c roundup ...... 26 Tournament Director Pat Day, PGA e Atlanta Open preview . . . . . 10 Pinetree County Club . . . . . 20 Operations Manager Eric Wagner r Golf Fore Juniors ...... 28 Spratlin wins big Luke List shoots for Section Assistant Traci Waters o at Chicopee ...... 12 PGA Tour ...... 22 Course reviews: F FOREGeorgia is produced by Golf Media, Inc. Senior Open to Stevens . . . 14 Brian Harman on the Wolf Creek, St. Marlo ...... 30 Copyright ©2010 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without permission, way up ...... 24 Ga. Women’s Open of editorial or graphic content is prohibited. Georgia PGA web site: www.georgiapga.com. preview ...... 14 Georgia Am preview ...... 29 Please send press releases TK to [email protected] PGA, Tour Championship updates ...... 16

4 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 Henley captures “Because I struggled, that only made me stronger. I kept Nationwide title [ Continued from the cover ] a positive attitude instead of getting down on myself. There wasn’t much that Henley did in —Russell Henley the Stadion Classic that could be catego - Playing bad has made me a better player.” rized as bad. He opened the tournament with a 1-over 72 in cool, breezy condi - extension after missing the second half of while Henley settled for par after an difficult one for Henley. tions, recording 17 pars to go along with the 2010 season with an injury. He errant tee shot. “I play golf because I love to play golf a lone bogey on the 5th hole. needed a strong showing in Athens and Henley battled a case of the lefts with and compete,” said Henley. “I’ll stay Henley shot himself into contention got it, finishing in solo second at his driver for much of the back nine, amateur (through the Summer) for sure.” with an outstanding second round, firing 10-under 274. With Henley unable to which he attributed to an understand - Once he concludes his college career a bogey-free 66 in the late afternoon twi - accept the winner’s check, Kelly collected able onset of nerves. May 31-June 5 in the NCAA light, hitting 17 of 18 greens. That first place money of $99,000 to move up “I got nervous and my hands got Championship, Henley will play a busy pulled him into a tie for fourth, just two to fifth on the money list. quick. I was just flipping them a bit,” amateur schedule the next few months. off the lead of former Florida Gator and For the most part, the final round was Henley explained. “I’ll definitely take It begins with a second appearance in the U.S. Amateur champion (at East Lake) a two-man battle between Henley and note of that.” Palmer Cup, an annual competition Bubba Dickerson . Kelly, although a trio of challengers Lee and Hendrix both got to 10-under between top collegians from the U.S. Even after the 66 moved him near the inched close to the lead on the back nine. midway through the back nine, but and Europe scheduled for June 9-11 in top of the leader board, Henley wasn’t Former Clemson golfer Matt Hendrix Henley gave himself a little cushion Greenwich, Conn. sure he had a serious shot at victory. from Aiken, S.C., tied for third at when he drilled a slick downhill birdie Henley will play in at least five events “I figured those guys would keep 9-under 275 with recent Clayton State putt on the 15th. With Lee, Kelly and leading up to the U.S. Amateur in going low and I needed 5-or-6-under the golfer Will Wilcox . Danny Lee , like Hendrix all carding bogeys late in their August, with one of his appearances next day.” Dickerson a past U.S. Amateur cham - rounds, Henley’s lead briefly reached coming in the Dogwood Invitational at Henley matched his 66 from the day pion, tied for fifth at 276 with three three shots before Wilcox eagled the par- Atlanta’s Druid Hills GC June 29-July 2. before, notching eight birdies to more other golfers, including Dickerson. 5 17th and Kelly birdied the hole to go “That’s a lot of golf,” says Henley. than offset three bogeys. He closed his Henley bogeyed the opening hole to the 18th two behind his playing partner. “Maybe more than I wanted.” round with consecutive birdies at 15, 16 lose his share of the lead, but matched Henley again went left off the tee on The only possible Nationwide Tour and 17, and when the day ended, found Kelly’s birdie at the par-4 second with an the long par-4 finishing hole at the UGA event that Henley could “fit in” between himself in a tie for the lead at 9-under outstanding approach shot. Henley took course, but had enough of a gap between now and the Walker Cup, which will be 204 with Troy Kelly , who needed a a lead he would never relinquish with a the trees to fire at the flag, with his played Sept. 10-11 in Scotland, is in strong showing in the tournament to birdie putt he estimated at 50 feet on second shot ending up pin high left, just Columbus, Oh., where Henley played retain his status on the Nationwide Tour. the long par-4 fourth while Kelly off the edge of the green with the pin cut last year. “After the third day, I knew I had a made bogey. back left. Henley has competed in four profes - chance,” said Henley. The two players again matched birdies Kelly placed some pressure on Henley sional events, making the cut in his two Kelly, 32, a native of Tacoma, Wash., at the short, par-4 sixth, with Kelly when he landed his second shot inside 10 Nationwide Tour starts last year (he was who competed on the PGA Tour in pulling even for the final time when he feet from the cup, but missed his birdie T34 in the Stadion Classic) and sharing 2009, is playing under a medical birdied the par-5 seventh. Bogeys at 9 attempt after Henley’s deft chip settled low amateur honors in the U.S. Open, and 10 dropped Kelly two behind within a few feet of hole. Henley holed tying for 16th. Henley also captured the Henley, but he reduced his deficit to one the short par putt to lock up his memo - Georgia Amateur in both 2008 and ’09, with a birdie at the perilous par-5 12th rable victory. claiming his first GSGA Championship “I played good golf today,” Henley title in ’08 at his home club (Idle Hour) observed. “I kept hitting greens and gave and successfully defending his title at the myself a lot of chances.” Country Club of Columbus. For the week, Henley Harris English , Henley’s fellow senior tied for fourth in greens in on the UGA golf team, also turned in a regulation, hitting 56 of 72 strong effort in the Stadion Classic, tying (78 percent). He struggled to for 18th. English, who tied for 27th last hit fairways (T61, 30 of 56), year in the tournament, improved his but took advantage of the firm score each day, shooting 72-71-69-68 for conditions to average a mas - a 4-under 280 total. sive 337 yards on the holes Former Georgia Tech golfer Roberto measured for driving distance, Castro notched his fourth top-20 finish placing third, just 5 yards in six starts this season on the behind tournament leader and Nationwide Tour, tying for 15th at 279. former Ryder Cupper Brett Ex-Bulldog Brendon Todd continued Wetterich . his comeback from a disastrous 2010 Henley also had a good week season, tying for 31st at 282, with former on the greens, at least after the teammate Brian Harman of Savannah first round, tying for 12th T39 at 283. rris English Ha and 17th in the two primary Harman, who plays primarily on the A R T S I

putting stats. eGolf Tour, earned is spot in the field O O K

The decision to remain an with a top 25 finish the previous week in L A Y B

amateur for the rest of the Valdosta, playing his way into that event S E G A

Summer was not an especially in a Monday qualifier. M Roberto Castro I

6 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 STAY | PLAY | MEET | UNWIND

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 9 Georgians in PGA PNC field

This month’s PGA PNC will again be To earn his spot in the 2011 PNC, Top 20 club pros to qualify played Sunday-Wednesday to provide Koch had to win a four-players-for-one- more exposure on the Golf Channel for spot playoff last year at The Manor, the country’s top club professionals. Golf the third straight year he has been for PGA Championship Channel will televise all four rounds, involved in a playoff in the Section’s with the PNC having the network to PNC qualifier. itself for the final three days. The Section’s three first time represen - champion Mike Small , who coaches the By Mike Blum Hershey CC hosted the PGA tatives are Augusta CC Director of golf team at Illinois. Championship in 1940, and over the Instruction Gary Cressend , Marietta or 312 of the top PGA profes - Skinner is among four of the nine past 25 years has been the site of events Golf Center instructor Ted Fort and sionals in the U.S., the road to PNC qualifiers from the Georgia PGA on the LPGA Tour (1978-94) and the Towne Lake Hills assistant Bill the 2011 PGA Championship who have competed in the PGA Nationwide Tour (1997-2004). The Murchison , all of whom placed 4th or at Atlanta Athletic Club goes Championship. Tim Weinhart has com - tournament will be held over the club’s better in last year’s PNC qualifier. tFhrough Hershey, Pa., this month. peted in the PGA Championship five two courses (East and West), with the Murchison was 2nd, three strokes behind Hershey Country Club will host times since 2002, with Craig Stevens West course dating back to 1930 and the Stevens, with Fort taking 3rd and the PGA Professional National making two starts in the PGA, the first East a George Fazio design that opened Cressend tying for 4th. Championship June 26-29, with the top one coming at Atlanta Athletic Club in 1969. It was the best showing ever in a 20 finishers earning spots in the field for in 2001. The West course plays to a par 72, but Section points event for each of the three the PGA Championship, which will be Kevin Roman qualified for the PGA is more than 300 yards shorter than the players. Murchison recently won the played for the third time at Atlanta Championship in 2009, joining Weinhart 7,060-yard East layout, which plays to a Georgia PGA’s qualifier for the Athletic Club. This year’s tournament in the field that year at Hazeltine. par of 71. Nationwide Tour South Georgia Classic date is Aug. 11-14. Since 1994, when Stephen Keppler The last time Atlanta Athletic Club and narrowly missed qualifying for the The Georgia PGA will have nine made the first of his five appearances, the hosted the PGA Championship, the Stadion Classic at UGA. players in the field at Hershey CC, led by Georgia PGA has had at least one of its Georgia PGA landed two members in Skinner will be coming off an appear - Sonny Skinner , who has been runner- members in all but four of the last 17 the field, with Stevens and Keppler both ance in last month’s Senior PGA up in the PNC twice in the last three PGA Championships. The two most qualifying. Keppler almost made the Championship, and has had a successful years. Skinner was second behind recent times in which the Georgia PGA 36-hole cut that year, missing by just run the last few years in PGA events, Michigan’s Scott Hebert at Reynolds did not qualify a member for the PGA one stroke. highlighted by his two runner-up fin - Plantation in 2008, and was second Championship (2004 and ’07), the state’s Six of the nine Georgia PGA representa - ishes in the PNC, which earned him again last year behind three-time PNC top finisher missed by just one stroke. tives in the PNC have previously spots in the PGA Championship two of competed in the event, with the Georgia the last three years. A

C Section sending three “rookies” to Hershey. For most of his career in golf, Skinner I R E

M Along with the four Section members was a tour player, competing on either A F

O who have qualified for the PGA the Nationwide or PGA Tour from 1990 A G P

9 Championship, Jeff Hull and Shawn until 2004. He has played sparingly as a 0 0 2 Koch have played in the PNC prior to tour player since, making four starts on © this year, with both coming close to qual - the Champions Tour since turning 50 ifying in recent appearances. last August. Hull, the teaching professional at the Skinner, who is an instructor at River UGA course in Athens, has made four Pointe in Albany, has been one of the appearances in the PNC, including each Georgia PGA’s top players in recent of the last three years. His best showing years, earning Player of the Year honors came at Reynolds Plantation in 2008, in 2006 and placing second, third and when he missed a top 20 finish by just fourth the last three years. Skinner won three shots. Hull, the 2007 Georgia PGA the 2006 Match Play Championship and Player of the Year, has won six Section ’09 Section Championship, amassing his titles, including the 2007 Georgia Open, point totals with a string of top finishes the ’04 Section Championship and the in Georgia PGA events. ’08 PNC qualifier. Hull tied for 4th in Weinhart has been a familiar presence last year’s Section qualifier for the PNC in the club professional national champi - at The Manor. onship for more than decade, and will be Koch, the Director of Instruction at making his 12th straight start in the Country Club of the South, will be PNC and 13th overall. Weinhart missed Sonny Skinner Tim Weinhart making his third straight start in the the cut in last year’s PNC in French Lick, PNC. He tied for 29th in New Mexico Ind., the first time since 2001 he did not in 2009, missing a top 20 finish by just make it to the final round. Senior Sonny One month before competing in three strokes with a pair of scores in the During his decade long run of success 60s, one coming in the final round. in the PNC, Weinhart has finished 8th the PGA PNC, Sonny Skinner was the low club Koch has won three Georgia PGA events or better in the championship three professional in the Senior PGA, tying for 45th at – the 2006 Atlanta Open and the Match times, holding the lead late in the final Play Championship and Griffin Classic Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., with a 6-over 294 total. in ’08. [ See PNC preview, page 28 ]

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 Atlanta Open ripe for first time winner

shooting 23-under 265 to win by a whop - Multiple champions rare in annual event ping seven strokes. Blanton, a two-time Atlanta Open champion who has since regained his tournament over the past 15 years, but Along with Hull, the most prominent amateur status, tied for 2nd at 272, with By Mike Blum due to eligibility restrictions, there will Georgia PGA winners who have yet to win Keppler low among the Georgia PGA f history is any indication, look be very few (if any) Nationwide or mini- the Atlanta Open are veterans Craig contingent, placing 7th at 275. Mason for a player who has never won tour players in this month’s field. Stevens , Sonny Skinner , Stephen was 8th at 276 along with Jimmy the Yamaha Atlanta Open to cap - Georgia PGA members who have won Keppler and Clark Spratlin . Marston , who has returned to the state as ture the title this month when the the tournament include Tim Weinhart Skinner has placed 4th or better three head professional at Highland CC in eIvent is played June 13-14 at The Frog. (2009, Heron Bay); Matt Peterson (’08, times since 2006, finishing just one shot LaGrange, and soon-to-be PGA Tour Only three golfers have won the tour - Newnan CC); Shawn Koch (’06, behind Peterson in ’08, with Stevens member Jason Bohn . nament more than once over the past 30 Dunwoody CC); Chan Reeves (’05, GC making strong runs at victory in 2002 and Also finishing among the top 20 that years, with all three capturing their first of Georgia); Greg Lee (’03, Marietta ’04. Keppler and Spratlin, who have year were current Georgia PGA members titles as an amateur. Jon Hough won CC); and Phil Taylor (’02, GC of enjoyed success in most of the other Michael Parrott (T13, 277); Reeves back-to-back in 1987-88 and Matt Georgia). Champions Tour veteran Georgia PGA events, have been unable to (T16, 281) and Stevens (T20, 282). Russell matched that feat in 1996-97. James Mason won at White Columns in break through in the Atlanta Open. The Frog is a classic Fazio creation, with Kevin Blanton scored his two victories 2000 just before he began his stint as a The 36-hole event has produced a series ample fairways and expansive, undulating seven years apart (1994 and 2001). senior tour pro. of exciting finishes in recent years, with putting surfaces. The bunkers are also five playoffs since 2000 (none since ’05) on the large side, but there aren’t quite and a margin of victory of no more than as many as you often encounter on a two strokes since 1998, with the exception Fazio design. of Weinhart’s impressive three-shot margin By modern standards, The Frog is not a in ’09. particularly lengthy layout, listed at just Womack won a three-way battle last over 7,000 yards from the tips. There are year, edging out Weinhart and Hull only four par 4s of over 404 yards, and while that quartet averages right at 450, the 457-yard opening hole plays decid - edly downhill off the tee. There is a significant disparity in both length and difficulty between the two nines. The outgoing nine is just 3,390 yards, with two short and vulnerable par 4s and a pair of reachable par 5s. The 5th is among the shortest par 5s around at Par-3 11th hole at The Frog 477 yards, with the uphill second shot not enough to keep the tournament entrants Hough, Russell and Blanton were the Weinhart, who won his sixth from comfortably getting home in two. rare amateurs to win the tournament, Georgia PGA Player of the Year With the exception of the long and but two of the last four Atlanta Opens title in 2010, will be at the top potentially dangerous par-3 8th, the front titles have been claimed by non-profes - of the list of tournament nine offers an abundance of scoring sionals. Bob Royak won at the Standard favorites, and has been a fre - opportunities, but the course changes Club in 2007, with Dave Womack win - quent contender in the Jeff Hull character beginning at the 10th, a rela - ning last year at Georgia National, his Atlanta Open. tively long and narrow par 4 with water in home course. Prior to his win two years play down the right side. Both Royak and Womack were in the ago, Weinhart lost twice in playoffs (2000 The 10th is one of three very stout par mid-amateur category when they won and ’02), and was second again last year, by one stroke thanks to a stretch of 4s on the incoming nine, with holes 12 the tournament, with many of the state’s sharing the runner-up position and low four straight birdies on the back nine in and 17 both featuring second shots that top college players typically competing pro honors with fellow teaching profes - the final round. have to carry tiny creeks that snake in in the Southeastern Amateur in sional Jeff Hull , who also has had his share This month’s tournament will take place front of and around the putting surfaces. Columbus, which is played the same of near-misses in the tournament. on one of the most outstanding daily fee Both par 5s are of the risk/reward week as the Atlanta Open. Hull lost in a playoff in 2003 and has courses in the state, with The Frog the first variety, with the downhill nature of the That leaves the field largely to Georgia finished 2nd, 6th, 9th and 2nd the last public course to host the Atlanta Open 582-yard 13th putting it within reach for PGA members, along with amateurs four years, with both runner-up finishes since White Columns in 2000. longer hitters. The 531-yard 18th is also who have to qualify to make the field. A coming behind the two most recent ama - The Frog is a Tom Fazio design that last reachable, with a creek guarding the front handful of tour players have won the teur winners. hosted a high profile Georgia PGA event and right side of a triple tier green that is in 2001, when the Georgia Open was one of many that will challenge the field played at the course. The Frog is located to avoid three-putts from long range. northwest of Atlanta above I-20 outside The Frog has long enjoyed a reputa - 14 in a row 14 different players have won the the community of Villa Rica. tion for exceptional course conditions, Dave Schreyer , who spent most of his with the greens typically among the Atlanta Open the last 14 years, going back to career as a tour player on the Hooters best and quickest surfaces in the Matt Russell’s back-to-back victories in 1996-97. Tour, scored the second of his two Atlanta area. Georgia Open titles at the Frog in 2001, 10 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 Spratlin strolls to runaway 6-stroke victory Record score at Georgia PGA Players Championship P G By Mike Blum A nine. He added one more birdie on the Village nine to get to 10-under for the he first three years Chicopee day, and carried over his outstanding play Woods hosted the Georgia to the next day, shooting 8-under for 23 PGA Players Championship, holes before the two late bogeys. the event either went to a Defending tournament champion Tim Tplayoff or was decided by the slim margin Weinhart won the battle for second place, of one stroke. shooting 66 over his final 18 holes to That was not the case when the event finish at 10-under 206. Weinhart birdied was played for the fourth time last month. five of the first seven holes on the Mill nine Clark Spratlin put together two days to move into contention for second place, and 54 holes of exceptional golf, setting and nailed down the runner-up spot when a tournament record with a score of he hit his second shot on the par-4 seventh 16-under 200. That produced a six-stroke hole on the School nine to within a few margin of victory which was reduced by feet for a birdie to get to 10-under. two when Spratlin bogeyed his final two Tying for third at 9-under 207 were holes the second day. Clark Spratlin Parrott and Gary Cressend , Director of Spratlin, an instructor at Georgia Golf Instruction at Augusta CC. Center, took control of the tournament Parrott got as close to Spratlin’s lead as when he shot 10-under 98 the first day, he began thinking of getting to 20-under, “I just wanted to win again,” said three strokes midway through the final with tournament competitors playing 27 but “ran out of gas” on the final few holes. Spratlin, who is also looking ahead to round with four birdies on the Mill nine. holes each day over Chicopee Woods’ “I was thinking about breaking 100 being part of a Georgia PGA team in the The last one came at the 7th hole just three nines. Spratlin’s first day perform - both days. That would have been kind biennial Billy Peters Challenge Cup that before Spratlin scored his eagle by driving ance was highlighted by a 63 on the Mill of cool.” will play a team from the GSGA later within 15 feet of the pin. Parrott recov - and School nines, with Spratlin beginning After a bogey at the par-3 eighth on the this year. ered from a bogey and double bogey on and ending his round on the Village nine Village nine ended those hopes Spratlin “I would hate not to be on that team,” the first three holes of his final nine with due to the shotgun start used because of a still had the chance to break 200 for the says Spratlin, with the Georgia PGA birdies on the next two holes, but another pro-am format. tournament, but an errant drive at the looking to end a four-match losing stretch, bogey cost him a chance to tie Weinhart Thanks to his 10-under score, Spratlin par-5 18th resulted in another bogey, including a few lopsided final scores. for second. took a three-stroke lead over Kinderlou leaving Spratlin with a nice, round 200 Spratlin began the 2011 Georgia PGA The highlight of Parrott’s first day was a Forest Director of Instruction Chris total for the tournament. season knowing he would not be com - 30 on the Mill nine, which included five Dixon to the final round, with Towne “This was a long time coming,” said peting in the PGA PNC, the national straight birdies. Cressend shot 66 for his Lake Hills assistant Bill Murchison four Spratlin, whose last win in a Georgia PGA club professional championship, for the final 18, playing the six par 5s in 6-under off the lead at 102. event came in the Section Championship first time in eight years, denying him of over the 27 holes. Dixon and Murchison both closed to in 2008, the biggest of his seven titles in any hope of qualifying for this year’s PGA Murchison and Dixon tied for fifth at within two of Spratlin’s lead early on the the Section over the past decade, Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. 208, with both within three of Spratlin’s opening nine the second day. But Spratlin “I figured something out with the “That was my biggest motivation,” says lead at one point early on the second nine notched three birdies for a 33 on the putter working with my juniors,” Spratlin Spratlin, who came close on several occa - the final day. Murchison, who shot 29 on Village nine to lead Dixon by four and said, at least temporarily solving the sions to finishing high enough in the the vulnerable Mill nine the first day, was Murchison and Michael Parrott by five problem that has kept him from winning PNC to qualify for the PGA 3-under after four holes on it the next day, after 36 holes. Spratlin expanded his lead more than he has. Championship later that year. Spratlin but suffered a double bogey on the par-3 to five over Parrott after shooting 2-under Spratlin landed at Georgia Golf Center can now focus on the Atlanta Open, fifth after missing the green and failing to on the Village nine, and ended the little last year after spending about five years at which will be played this month just get his chip to the putting surface. remaining suspense when he went Blue Ridge River and Golf Club, which before the PNC, and is one of the two Country Club of the South Director of 4-under on a 4-hole stretch early on the finally abandoned attempts to get the major Georgia PGA titles he has yet Instruction Shawn Koch was 7th at 209, his final nine, highlighted by an eagle on facility open and ready for play. to capture. with River Pointe instructor Sonny the short par-4 fourth hole on the Village. Going that long without a home course Spratlin says he got off to “a boring Skinner 8th at 210. Instructors Craig Spratlin led by as many as nine strokes or a practice facility was not an asset to start” in his opening round, making a Stevens (Steel Canyon) and David Potts midway through the final nine, but fell Spratlin’s game. He won just once during bogey on his first hole and going to the (CC of the South) tied for 9th at 209 back on the final few holes with a chance that span after five victories between 2001 Mill nine even par after five holes on the along with Chicopee Woods professional to achieve some rare statistical milestones. and ’04, all of them coming in either the Village. He took advantage of the shorter Greg Lee , who shot the low score the After holing a lengthy birdie putt on Match Play Championship or Griffin and more inviting Mill nine, scoring second day. the fifth hole on the Village nine, Spratlin Classic when Spratlin was the head pro - birdies on five of the first seven holes, then Lee struggled to a 3-over total the first was 18-under for the tournament. He said fessional at Atlanta National. rattled off four more birdies on the School day, but shot 64 on his opening 18 the final round after playing his first 13 holes in 9-under with a pair of eagles. But Lee “I was thinking about breaking 100 both managed only one birdie over his next 14 holes, playing them in 1-over to shoot days. That would have been kind of cool.” 8-under 100 for the day.

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 Stevens wins big in Georgia Senior Open P G

A behind on the front nine, but an excel - By Mike Blum lent sand save at the 7th kept him close raig Stevens’ first appearance until the combination of his birdie streak in the Yamaha Georgia Senior and Mendenhall’s two misjudged Open went pretty well. approach shots turned a closely contested Stevens, one of the top competition into a rout. pClayers in the Georgia PGA Section for After a three-shot swing at the 12th, the past two decades, turned 50 earlier Stevens was five ahead, and said his atti - this year. Other than a handful of tude was to hit fairways and greens. I Monday qualifiers for Champions Tour didn’t miss any greens coming in and events, the state Senior Open was his first didn’t let my foot off the gas. event of consequence as a senior. “I wanted to continue to play the way Midway through the final round of the I was playing.” recent Georgia Senior Open at Newnan Most of Stevens’ competitive rounds Country Club, Stevens was in a battle for this year have come at the tour level. He the lead with amateur Mel Mendenhall , appeared in both Nationwide Tour who had four birdies in a 6-hole stretch events in the state recently by virtue of Craig Stevens and Yamaha sponsors to move one stroke ahead of Stevens after victories in two Georgia PGA tourna - the two shared the opening round lead of ments last year, and has made a few 3-under 69. Stevens’ final round 66 gave him a Mendenhall’s birdie on the 3rd and both attempts to play his way into Champions But while Stevens was running off 36-hole total of 9-under 135, with three players birdied the short, par-5 8th, as Tour tournaments in Monday qualifiers. three straight birdies early on the back players sharing 2nd at 143. the two separated themselves from the Stevens reached the finals of nine, Mendenhall hit two iron shots well “I played really, really solid today; no rest of the field. Champions Tour qualifying last year, but past his targets, resulting in a pair of bogeys,” said Stevens, who was just At the short, par-4 9th, Mendenhall the only status he was able to gain was double bogeys. In a span of five holes, trying to keep pace early in the round hit his short iron approach well over the the right to play in the qualifiers held Stevens went from one shot behind to six with Mendenhall, a member at Country green, and did it again with his tee shot before most of the tour’s events. ahead, eventually reaching a final margin Club of Columbus. on the par-3 12th. Stevens, meanwhile, A career-long PGA instructor, Stevens of eight when recorded his sixth and final Mendenhall holed a long birdie putt kept hitting his iron shots within birdie has to limit his Monday qualifying birdie of the day at the par-5 18th, where on the 3rd hole and hit two approach range, and after his third consecutive attempts to tournaments within reason - he nearly made eagle to cap a flawless shots within a few feet of the hole on 4 birdie at the 13th, it was all over. able geographic proximity of Atlanta, and performance. and 5 to take the lead. Stevens matched Stevens nearly found himself two shots has been unsuccessful this far, with only a

Amateurs dominant in Georgia Women’s Open With a diminishing professional pres - the state’s top female junior, have won the before. Some long-time participants in the tournament over the past decade has been ence in the Yamaha Georgia Women’s Open last two years, and are the two youngest tournament were absent, with only a Margaret Shirley , a former teammate of in recent years, the tournament has largely players to capture the title since the first handful of the contenders having much of a Ramage at Auburn who is now an assistant belonged to an ever-changing roster of Georgia Women’s Open was played in 1995. history with the tournament. coach at Georgia. Shirley won n 2006 and amateur players. Only seven professionals teed it up in last Krissie Register and Summer Sirmons , ’08, and has placed 7th or better in the event Emilie Burger, a member of the Georgia year’s tournament, with Carmen Bandea both former champions, did not play last each of the last eight years, finishing 2nd women’s team, and Mariah Stackhouse , and Lacey Agnew tying for 4th, three year, with former LPGA Tour player Angela behind UGA team member Burger last year. strokes behind Burger’s winning total of Jerman also not playing after nearly win - With the exception of a 6-stroke victory Emilie Burger 5-under 139 at Newnan’s SummerGrove CG. ning the tournament in 2009. at Canongate-on-White Oak in 2005, the The tournament returns to SummerGrove Bandea and Jackie Szymoniak have Georgia Women’s Open has featured one for the fourth straight year and fifth time been the most successful professional par - down-to-the-wire finish after another over overall, with the 2011 event scheduled for ticipants in recent years, with both players the past decade, and last year was no July 6-7. The date conflicts with the U.S. coming close to victory. Bandea, who turned exception. Women’s Open (July 7-10), but with no other pro in her mid-teens, came closest in 2007, Burger edged out Shirley by one shot, sur - amateur or professional tournaments of when she lost in a playoff to former Auburn viving a late three-putt from no more than consequence that week, the Georgia golfer Diana Ramage , a Fayetteville native 5 feet that almost cost her a victory. Women’s Open at least has the possibility of who now resides in the town where she Stackhouse ended up two strokes back in attracting a strong field, with a larger attended college. her attempt to defend her title, with Kendall number of competitors than last year. Ramage, who also won the tournament in Wright , Burger’s former teammate in One player who will be missing is 2005, is the lone professional to win the Athens, tying Bandea and Agnew for 4th. Stackhouse, who has qualified for the U.S. Georgia Women’s Open since 2003. Wright, who dropped off the Georgia Women’s Open. Szymoniak had her best shot in ’09, coming team midway through her sophomore Last year’s tournament began with 44 up short in a playoff against Stackhouse. season, has finished either 3rd or 4th in the players, 15 fewer than competed the year The most consistent contender in the Georgia Women’s Open each of the last A G P A I JUNE 2011 G R O E G handful of Champions Tour qualifiers on 143 after a second round 72. his schedule for the rest of the year. Also shooting 143 was Bob Burk , One qualifier he is looking forward to head professional at Stone Creek GC in is for the U.S. Senior Open, and Stevens Valdosta, and Jack Kearney of Peachtree will play in one in Pennsylvania immedi - City, who claimed low amateur honors. ately after he competes in the PGA Burk carded six birdies in a second round Professional National Championship in 70, with Kearney closing with a 68 high - Hershey, Pa., late this month. lighted by an eagle on the 18th to edge “Monday qualifying is tough,” Stevens Larry Clark in the amateur division. says. “You’ve got to shoot under par, and Clark had five birdies in a final round 70 if you make a bogey, it’s tough to recover.” to tie for 5th at 144. Unlike some of the players who are Also tying for 5th were pros Ted regulars in the Monday qualifier, Stevens Meier , Stephen Keppler and Tommy doesn’t have the means to fly all over the Brannen . Meier, a club professional at country every few weeks, although he has Newnan CC, and Brannen, the head a few backers helping him financially. professional at Augusta CC, also had five “I’m still a teaching professional,” says birdies the second day, with Meier Stevens, who works out of the Steel shooting 71 and Brannen 69. Canyon executive course in Sandy Keppler, like Stevens and Skinner a Springs. “That’s a lot of my income. recent addition to the senior division, I can’t let that go.” shot 74-70 in his first Senior Open The winner’s check from the Georgia appearance. Keppler, the Director of Senior Open was a modest $1,500, but Golf at Marietta Country Club, scored the experience provided Stevens with a his first senior win recently in a Seniors feeling that transcends financial gain. Division tournament at Orchard Hills. “This is a joy to win,” Stevens said of He shot 9-under 99 in the one-day, his victory, which will likely not be the 27-hole event, finishing three strokes last he will record in the 50-and-over ahead of Skinner and Orchard Hills head age group. professional Wyatt Detmer . Louis Among the players tying for 2nd was McHughes , the head pro at Newnan fellow Champions Tour Monday quali - CC, tied for 4th at 104 with Valdosta fier Sonny Skinner , who moved into CC head pro Rob Williams . contention with a pair of early birdies Danny Elkins of Georgia Golf Center before his charge halted. Skinner, who tied for 6th at Orchard Hills at 106, and teaches at River Pointe in Albany and still plays extensively, finished at 1-under [ See Senior Open, page 28 ] Save your gas & three years. times, with Shirley taking her second Bring your game! Along with Shirley, the other consistent title with a 1-under 143 score in 2008. presence on the tournament leader board With a decent amount of length and a Enjoy the convenience of Heritage Golf Links’ for the past decade has been Augusta’s number of holes in which water is location, just off I-85 and I-285, while you Laura Coble , the state’s most prominent seriously in play, SummerGrove presents female amateur during that stretch. Coble a worthy test for the tournament take on its unique design and layout! won the first time the Georgia Women’s participants. With a few exceptions,

Open was played at SummerGrove in 2004, SummerGrove is relatively generous off d. r R ke uc and tied for 2nd in ’08, just one stroke the tee. But large, sloping greens with T s os behind Shirley. Coble tied for 7th last year, some Pinehurst-style shaved areas sur - cr 85 or N . her 8th top-10 finish. rounding them put plenty of pressure on S In order to accommodate a wider range players’ short games. Tu blee cker R of players, the Georgia PGA has established SummerGrove’s layout provides a Cham d. multiple flights for the amateurs, number of scoring opportunities along along with a senior division this year for the way, but there are plenty of opportu - 285 the first time. nities to find trouble. The course an affiniti managed club affinitigolf.com The pros and top amateurs will play the includes one of metro Atlanta’s most w course at just over 6,200 yards, with the daunting par 4s – the long and haz - Follo non-championship flight participants com - ardous 9th – as well as an inviting but us on ook! peting over 5,730 yards. The seniors will perilous par 4 of less than 300 yards Faceb play SummerGrove at 5,130 yards. (No. 5). SummerGrove has proven to be an Three of the par 5s have water very excellent tournament host, producing four much in play as do two of the par 3s, but Visit HeritageGolfLinks.com very competitive finishes with no one the 9th is the only hole on the course or call 770-493-GOLF (4653)! going lower than 5-under for 36 holes. A where a sizeable carry over a hazard 139 total has been the winning score three must be negotiated. Just off I-85 and Pleasantdale Rd.  "RITT 2OAD s 4UCKER '! 

JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Atlanta Athletic Club in August. Vaughn Taylor , Jason Bohn , Troy Tour players battling for spots Matteson , David Duval and Ryuji Imada all were well outside both the top 70 on the money list and top 100 in the World Rankings, and will need to play in PGA, Tour Championship significantly better than they have to this point in 2011 if they hope to qualify. At 83 on the PGA Championship money list, Matteson was the only one of By Mike Blum the five in the top 100, with Taylor the highest in the World Rankings at 139. wo of golf’s biggest events are Imada, who won the final PGA Tour coming to Atlanta in a few event at TPC Sugarloaf in 2008, is the months, and the game’s top only one of the five without multiple players are vying to secure PGA Tour victories. sTpots in the respective fields of the PGA Those five are not the only prominent Championship and PGA Tour PGA Tour players who have yet to Championship. qualify for the 2011 PGA. Most will In the case of the Tour Championship, make it into the field via either the which will be played Sept. 22-25 at East World Rankings or money list, but there Lake Golf Club, players must first are some surprising names in danger of qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs, being left out of the final major of which begin August 25 with The the year. Barclays, the first of three tournaments That list includes Fredrik Jacobsen , leading up to East Lake. Carl Pettersson , Henrik Stenson , Chad The top 125 players on the FedExCup Campbell , John Rollins and former points list after the annual PGA Tour major champions Justin Leonard , Ben stop in Greensboro, N.C., will qualify Vaughn Taylor Curtis and Mike Weir . Japan’s Shingo for the Playoffs, with the field being Katayama , who tied for 4th at Atlanta reduced each week. The top 30 will Love ) and two recent major champions Athletic Club a decade ago, is outside the advance to East Lake for the Tour (Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson ). top 100 in the World Rankings and Championship. Former Georgia Bulldog golfer Bubba would likely need a special invitation to The PGA Championship, which will Watson was the runner-up in last year’s return to Atlanta for the PGA be played Aug. 11-14 at Atlanta Athletic PGA Championship, losing in a playoff Championship. Club, the week before the FedExCup Troy Matteson to Martin Kaymer , with Matt Kuchar For most of the state’s PGA Tour contin - regular season ends in Greensboro, will and his former Georgia Tech teammate gent, the news is better from a FedExCup have a field of 156, with 20 of the spots Bryce Molder also earning invitations standpoint, with one exception. reserved for the top finishers in the PGA The top 70 players on a money list with their top-15 finishes in 2010 at Slocum , who won The Barclays in Professional National Championship, beginning with the 2010 Bridgestone Whistling Straits. 2009, has been one of the PGA Tour’s the top event for the country’s club pro - Invitational and ending with the 2011 Watson and Kuchar have both won on most consistent performers over the past fessionals. That tournament will be Greenbrier Classic will also qualify, with the PGA Tour since the 2010 PGA, with decade, never finishing outside the top played in Hershey, Pa., June 26-29. the PGA Championship alternate list Jonathan Byrd and Heath Slocum also 80 on the money list and placing Through late May, 63 players (not consisting of players just below the locking up spots in the field with victo - between 30th and 32nd in earnings three including former PGA Championship top 70. ries during last year’s Fall Finish. of the last four years. But the first half of winners now playing on the Champions The PGA also invites all players in the A ninth Georgian is in strong position the 2011 season has been his poorest Tour) had already qualified for the 2011 top 100 in the World Rankings a few to make it into the field at Atlanta stretch of golf since he joined the PGA PGA Championship, with another 61 weeks prior to the PGA Championship, Athletic Club. Charles Howell was 55th Tour in late 2001, leaving Slocum out - also in the field if the qualification cri - as well as annually issuing several special on the PGA Championship money list. side the top 150 in the FedExCup teria concluded at that point. invitations to players outside the top If he continues his solid play thus far this standings after his eighth missed cut of There are several ways players can earn 100. As a result, the field for the PGA season, Howell will return to AAC, the year at Colonial. spots in the field at Atlanta Athletic Club Championship is almost always where he made the cut for the first time Bohn , Duval and Imada were outside between now and tournament week. All the strongest of the year in golf, with no in a major championship a decade ago. the top 125, with Bohn also suffering winners of PGA Tour events prior to the players of consequence missing, PGA Tour rookie Chris Kirk is a good through a difficult season after winning PGA Championship will earn invita - barring injury. bet to make it into the field of the PGA in 2010. Bohn won in New Orleans last tions, including the tournaments Of the 63 players who had qualified Championship for the first time, but will year and Slocum captured the inaugural opposite the British Open (Viking for the PGA Championship as of late need some strong showings in the next McGladrey Classic title at Sea Island Classic) and WGC Bridgestone May, eight have Georgia ties, among few months. Kirk was barely outside the GC, with both needing comparable Invitational (Reno-Tahoe Classic). them a former PGA champion ( Davis top 100 in the World Rankings (102 as efforts to turn around what has been of late May) and was also close to the top the poorest seasons of their PGA 70 on the money list, ranking 76th after Tour careers. the Colonial Invitational. Thanks to wins in San Diego and New Imada moves up With his tie for third in the For five veteran PGA Tour members Orleans, Watson was atop the who either live in the state or played their FedExCup standings, with Byrd 12th Byron Nelson Classic, Ryuji Imada jumped from college golf in Athens or Atlanta, it’s behind his win in the season-opening 116 to 76 in the FedExCup standings and from 138 going to take a victory or some inspired Tournament of Champions and playoff to 79 on the PGA Championship money list. play between now and the end of July to be afforded the chance to tee it up at [ See Georgians, page 19 ]

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 No clear favorite emerges for U.S. Open Plenty of contenders in post-Tiger era

The changes at the top have tran - course. Craig Stadler and Greg Norman By Mike Blum scended Woods’ travails on and off the both won twice at Congressional in the S T E

or the past dozen years, there course, with a host of talented young 1980s, as did Fred Couples . But short- V E D I was something you could players – mostly from Europe and South hitting John Mahaffey also won there, N B E R

count on in the typically Africa – emerging as world class players as did Dave Stockton , the 1976 G F unpredictable U.S. Open on and major champions. PGA champion. an almost annual basis. Beginning with last year’s U.S. Open, During the three years Congressional Either Tiger Woods or Phil four non-Americans in their early 30s or hosted the AT&T National, the same Mickelson – or in several instances both mid-to-late 20s have won the last four names kept popping up on the leader – was going to make a serious run at a majors, and there are a lot more interna - board. Kim and Woods both came close U.S. Open title. tional players who fit into that age group to winning two of the three times at Since 1999, Woods has won the Open capable of joining that list. Congressional with Jim Furyk tying for three times, finished 2nd twice, and The game’s best players will assemble 3rd twice and placing 7th once, and placed 6th or better three other times. in our nation’s capitol June 17-20, with Hunter Mahan taking 2nd in 2009 after Mickelson has mastered the art of the Congressional Country Club hosting the finishing 8th and 11th the previous near miss, recording five runner-up fin - U.S. Open for the third time. The course two years. ishes before tying for 4th last year. has been the site of U.S. Opens in 1964 Considering the excellent track records Only twice during that span (2001 and ’97 and the PGA Championship in in the Open established by both Furyk and ’03) were the names of Woods and 1976, and is one of a handful of Open and Mahan, they will be among the Mickelson both absent from the top of venues that have also hosted annual PGA leaders of the American contingent. the leader U.S. Open board. But with Tour events. Furyk is one of just 10 Americans not Jim Furyk the 2011 Open about to tee off, there are Congressional was the host course for named Woods or Mickelson who have serious questions whether either player the Kemper Open from 1980-86 and for won a major since 2000, with that list Augusta National and Pebble Beach, will contend this year and in the imme - the AT&T National from 2007-09, pro - including several players whose victories Woods lacks whatever it was that he had diate future. viding some recent on-site experience for fall into the fluke category ( Rich Beem , when he dominated the game for more Men’s professional golf is in the early the players who teed it up in D.C. the Shaun Micheel , Ben Curtis , Todd than a decade. Swing issues and short - stages of its post-Tiger era, which unoffi - past few years. The layout has been Hamilton ). comings in the mental game can be cially began on Sunday of the 2009 PGA tweaked a fair amount since the Open Since Hamilton’s stunning win in the addressed, but there isn’t much an Championship, a few months before the last visited, with Congressional’s par-3 2004 British Open, the only Americans athlete can do to combat serious infamous events of Thanksgiving night finishing hole removed and replaced by a other than Woods or Mickelson to win physical problems. at Woods’ former home in Florida. new par 3 facing in the opposite direc - majors are Zach Johnson , Lucas Glover Woods intends to be ready for this tion and now serving as the 10th hole. and Stewart Cink , That’s a span of 30 month’s Open at Congressional, but The long par-4 17th, with water sur - tournaments. even if he is physically able to play – a rounding the green on three sides, is now Two of the best young American very big if – he will be competing for the the 18th hole, making for a more cham - players could have expanded that small first time since the Masters, discounting Matt Kuchar pionship-style finish. New back tees have list, but Dustin Johnson and Nick his nine-holes-and-out appearance in the added more than 250 yards, with the 6th Watney both collapsed in excruciating Players Championship. returning to its status as a par 5, making fashion after holding the lead after 54 He won at Congressional the last time the course a par 71 instead of the tradi - holes in the U.S. Open and PGA he played there, but based on the state of tional par of 70 Congressional has played Championship. Bubba Watson had the his game and his health, there is no to as a tournament host. lead in the PGA playoff against Martin reason to believe that he is capable of In keeping with the internationaliza - Kaymer , but was unable to close it out. capturing his fourth Open title month. tion of golf, the last five winners at The last American winner of the Open As for Mickelson, his window of Congressional have roots that span the was Woods in 2008, but his epic playoff opportunity to finally claim the title of globe. Ernie Els won the Open in 1997, triumph over a game Rocco Mediate the event that has cruelly escaped his edging out Scotland’s Colin was the last of his 14 majors, and the grasp going back to 1995 may be closing. Montgomerie, with K.J. Choi , Anthony likelihood of him adding a 15th, let He was positioned for victory each of the Kim and Woods the three AT&T cham - alone matching the Jack Nicklaus mark last two years – especially in ’09 at pions when the event was played in D.C. of 18, is diminishing by the day. Bethpage Black – but was unable Sergio Garcia won a tour event at Woods’ swing, psyche and body have to capitalize. Congressional in 2005, but will have to all broken down to one degree or Mickelson has seemingly put his 72nd make a rapid ascent into the top 50 in another, and while he’s performed ade - hole meltdown at Winged Foot in ’06 the World Rankings to qualify for this quately in majors since laying a final behind him, but his overall history in the month’s Open. round egg in the 2009 PGA, he hasn’t Open still looms whenever he gets in the Congressional has not displayed a ten - won one. His best efforts of 2010 came hunt the final day. He turned in his first

G dency of favoring one style player over in the Masters and U.S. Open, and he forgettable effort at the Masters in years R E B

N another, with both power and finesse- again played well in this year’s Masters. earlier in the 2011 season, and with I D E

V oriented golfers enjoying success on the But as he demonstrated last year at the exception of his sensational weekend E T S

18 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 in Houston the week before Augusta, K.J. Choi will be on the short list of the one the pros will tackle this month. unspectacular season. has not played at a typical Mickelson players to watch, but Choi’s Open record Mahan has a very respectable major Kirk , who was 2nd on the Nationwide level for more than a handful of holes is unimpressive, to the least. championship record, but like Stricker Tour in 2010, has placed himself in at a time. Based on his U.S. Open record and has been more of a consistent finisher contention for Rookie of the Year Given the major championship results history at Congressional, Furyk would than a legitimate contender. A suspect honors, with a tie for 2nd in Houston over the last two-plus years, the idea of a appear to be the most likely American to short game and the absence of much his - propelling him into the top 40 on single favorite going into the U.S. Open contend, but he has had an indifferent tory of standing up to major the points list. is easily dismissed. The last 10 majors season thus far after his outstanding year championship final nine pressure create Matteson and Taylor were both com - have been won by 10 different golfers, in 2010. some questions, but his overall talent is fortably in the top 100 on the points list, and there are at least 10 players without The best American player without a sufficient to answer any doubts. as was second year PGA Tour member majors who would make very plausible major is fellow 40-something Steve Blake Adams , coming off his best champions at Congressional. Stricker , long a contender in majors but showing of the season at Colonial. Love That list would appear to start with rarely a really serious one. Stricker has played well in the two high profile tour - Luke Donald , but Donald has never put together another consistently excel - naments prior to Colonial in Charlotte notched a top-10 finish in the U.S. lent season, but his showing in 2011 and Jacksonville, but missed the cut in Open, and has proven to be a better fits the pattern of his major champi - Georgians Fort Worth to drop out of the top 100. [ Continued from page 16 ] match play performer than a stroke onship history. Recent Georgia Tech golfer Cameron play closer. Mahan and Matt Kuchar are next in Tringale was just inside the top 100, Lee Westwood has a history of con - line behind Furyk and Stricker as the loss to former Clemson teammate Lucas with Georgia native and former tending in majors, but his only serious best non-power players among the Glover in Charlotte. Savannah assistant professional Kris chance in the Open came in ’08, when American contingent, and the most Kuchar , who was No. 1 on the points Blanks moving up to just outside the top he finished one shot out of the Woods- obvious picks to make a run at an Open list last year before being edged out at 125 after a top 10 finish in Colonial, his Mediate playoff. title. Neither has become established as a East Lake by Jim Furyk , was 16th on the best tournament of 2011. Like Westwood, Paul Casey has proven closer, and like Stricker, are strength of six top 10s, one short of With three months left in the watched as younger players from the known more for racking up top 10s than co-leaders Luke Donald and FedExCup season, there were some very European Tour have won recent majors nailing down victories, Hunter Mahan . surprising names not among the top while he retains a lofty world ranking Kuchar has cooled off a bit after After a slow start, Johnson has heated 125, including a pair of former Tour based largely on his consistency more starting this season just as he finished the up recently, and moved into the top 40 Championship winners. Retief Goosen than high profile victories. Like Donald, last one, making his way onto the leader after placing 4th in the Colonial. Cink and Camilo Villegas were both outside Casey’s U.S. Open record is spotty. board almost every time he teed it up. He has also played his best golf of 2011 in the top 125, as were 2010 British Open Off his gritty win in the recent Players enjoyed his best ever major showing in recent weeks and has moved up to just champion Louis Oosthuizen and Championship and 2007 AT&T last year’s U.S. Open, but that came at a outside the top 50, a few spots ahead of former Players champions Stenson and National victory at Congressional, much shorter Pebble Beach layout than Howell , who is enjoying a steady if Stephen Ames.

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 Renovated Pinetree ranks with Atlanta’s best Quiet private club has plenty to offer its members

By Mike Blum tlanta has its share of outstanding private club golf courses that have attained national recog - nAition in large part because of the tournaments they have hosted. Without a major champi - onship, pro tour stop or USGA event, it can be hard for a private club to make a name for itself in a metro area that has at least a dozen facilities that have hosted Pa r-4 7th hole tournaments that attracted attention from a national golf on par-3 12th audience. Relocated green Pinetree County Club in Kennesaw least six pin positions. will be celebrating its 50th anniversary The surfaces were changed to 4s averaging just under 450 yards. They next year, and has long been regarded as Champions Bermuda, and are now more members here know each other.” are balanced by three short par 4s of 366 one of the top private clubs in the metro subtle than severe, although there is an Bodoin says the club draws primarily yards or less, with the remaining two- area. The club will host the Georgia ample amount of movement on just from the north Cobb, north Fulton and shotter featuring the only forced carry of Amateur for the fourth time in 2013, and about every green. The new putting sur - Cherokee County areas for its member - consequence. has been the site of qualifiers for the faces are just a few years old, and with the ship, with the club located almost For the most part, Pinetree is relatively USGA’s top events as well as the Georgia removal of some trees to improve circula - adjacent to Kennesaw State, just off I-75 generous off the tee, although the tree PGA’s Atlanta Open. tion, are as smooth and quick as you’ll at the Chastain Rd. exit. Pinetree is also lines are never far removed from play. But without a tour event on its resume, find at any course in the metro area, easily accessible from the east Cobb, A few of the tee shots have to thread the club has remained relatively anony - including those hosting some of golf’s north Fulton and south Cherokee sub - their way through chutes lined by mous in Atlanta’s crowded private club most prestigious events. urbs without having to deal with trees, but those corridors are not oppres - scene, known mainly to the area’s tourna - Superintendent Bret Barton , who expressway traffic. sively narrow. ment players who have competed in an joined the staff after the renovation, has Although Pinetree has much more to Bergin added some bunkers to a layout event there. earned high grades for his work getting offer than golf, the course is the primary where they were once mostly inconse - In an effort to improve the golf experi - the course into such good shape. focus of the membership. The course is quential, but Pinetree will never be ence for the club’s members and increase Pinetree is a member-owned, non- surrounded by a residential subdivision, mistaken for a Joe Lee or Tom Fazio its profile, the membership decided to profit club, with the members making the but most of it is comfortably removed design in that regard. The majority of renovate the course several years ago, with decision to shut their course down for an from the houses, with its traditional approach angles to the hole locations are former tour player turned architect Bill extended period in 2008 to accommo - layout making it easy to walk for the open, leaving run-up opportunities for Bergin handling the renovation. date the renovation. membership. those hitting long irons or fairway woods Bergin, an Atlanta area native, added Barbara Jodoin, the club’s general man - With the addition of the new back tees, into the lengthier par 4s or the two par 3s about 270 yards in length with the addi - ager, said that “98 percent of the Pinetree has been stretched to just over in the 200-yard neighborhood. tion of a number of new back tees, while members voted to shut down the course, 7,100 yards from the tips, with the course The traditional parkland-style layout reducing the yardage on a handful of pay their dues and wait it out. And we now rated at 75.0/141, up from 73.5/137 sports a more modern look thanks to holes. The blue and white tees are a bit did not lose one member.” pre-renovation. Bergin’s quality renovation work, with longer than they once were, with the for - When Pinetree re-opened in October The blue tees measure 6,538 yards the greens and surrounding chipping ward tees about 40 yards shorter. of ’08, the members were richly rewarded (72.6/134) and are very playable for areas among its major assets and primary Several of the greens have been re- for their patience. The improvements to golfers who are reaching their comfort - challenges. Because of the exceptional positioned, with the par-3 12th and par- the layout and superior course conditions able limits at that distance. The white tees condition of the putting surfaces, you are 5 16th now dramatically different with have again put Pinetree into the elite cat - play 5,916 (70.2/123) with the forward afforded the opportunity to hole your the greens shifted to bring a small lake egory of Atlanta area private clubs, with tees 5,163 (71.1/129). share from short and medium range. But into play on both. Bergin also added the facility retaining its friendly, family- Pinetree also offers several combination their speed and subtle slopes will make bunkers that improved Pinetree from oriented atmosphere. sets of tees that have their own course you pay if you misjudge their pace from both a visual and strategic standpoint. Pinetree is a true country club, with rating and slope for those looking for a long range, or get a little aggressive on a “All the greens are brand new,” Bergin quality swim and tennis facilities and a yardage in between the four listed on chip shot. says, with several expanded in size while thriving social element. the scorecard. some of the notorious putting surfaces “People look at the club as an extension With the superbly-conditioned softened a bit to improve playability. of their home,” Jodoin says. “We offer a course playing firm and fast, Pinetree For information, call “Some of the greens you couldn’t putt quality experience, and this is a place doesn’t play as long as the yardage, 770-428-0553 or visit with modern green speeds,” says Bergin, where they feel comfortable. We have but it’s plenty of course from the gold www.pinetreecc.org who designed them to accommodate at third generation family members and the tees, with the six longest of the 10 par

20 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 mound to the right enabling you to steer clear of an imposing front left bunker. A diverse group of par 5s includes one with length (No. 2), a tight dogleg right with preci - sion at a premium (No. 9), a short risk/reward New gr opportunity (16) and an een at par- 5 16th entertaining down-and-up dogleg left that is not as severe as it used to be, but Pinetree includes an excellent mix of still retains some of its holes, beginning with the group of par 4s. slightly quirky nature (11). The three that have been extensively Pinetree is looking to add to its mem - lengthened (6, 15 and 18) are consider - bership, but is not that far from its cap of ably stronger holes than previously, and golf members. The club is on sound the three short ones (5, 7 and 14) are financial footing, which has enabled it to Pinetree Country Club inviting but no pushovers, even with no keep its fee structure from significant serious trouble in play on any of them. swings resulting from the uncertain eco - Both nines begin with a disparate pair nomic climate. 6 Month Trial Memberships 3LQHWUHH &RXQWU\ &OXE RIIHUV  KROHV RI FKDP- of par 4s, although both sport ample fair - The club, which gave Larry Nelson his available for SLRQVKLS JROI ZLWK DQ H[WHQVLYH SUDFWLFH IDFLOLW\ ways. The second shot to the 10th is one start in golf, is in the process of selecting all categories 7KH FRXUVH WDNHV IXOO DGYDQWDJH RI WKH UROOLQJ of the testiest on the course, especially a new head professional to replace the late WHUUDLQ PLUURUHG SRQGV DQG VSHFWDFXODU VFHQHU\ when the pin is cut back right behind two Daryll Speegle. Mark Siksta is the ‡

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 List looking to land spot on 2012 PGA Tour Near win on Nationwide Tour has him in position

List was one of three prominent back top 10s in Panama and Colombia through nine holes, it was a “learning By Mike Blum Georgians among the Class of 2007, early in the season. experience,” as well as a profitable week. ot all college and amateur joining Chris Kirk and Roberto But those were the only two top 10s List took home $52,800 to jump into golf standouts progress at Castro . The three have followed dif - in 2010 for List, who gradually fell out the top 10 on the money list at the time. the same rate once they fering paths in their short pro careers, of the top 60 on the money list (the List was tied for 7th going to the final turn pro. with Kirk the first to make it to golf’s cutoff for exempt status), ending up round in the previous tournament in NA handful of them enjoy success major leagues. He is playing as a rookie 78th. Louisiana, but a double bogey on a par immediately, but the Rickie Fowlers , on the PGA Tour this year after an out - List began this season as a non- 3 early on the back nine spoiled what Dustin Johnsons and Anthony Kims standing season on the Nationwide Tour exempt player, but made it into the first was otherwise a solid showing that day, are the rare exceptions. in 2010, following two mostly indif - three events of the year, notching a top- as he dropped into a tie for 20th. Like Fowler, Johnson and Kim, Luke ferent years in golf’s version of MLB’s 20 finish in Louisiana before securing Other than that, it’s been a struggle List was considered a can’t-miss prospect Class AAA. his playing privileges for the rest of the this season for List, who missed the cut while compiling an impressive amateur Castro has followed the mini-tour year with a tie for 2nd in the next tour - in Athens, the third time in his first six record. He lost to Ryan Moore , another route to success, winning five times on nament in California. starts this season he hasn’t made it to of the swift amateur-to-pro success sto - the eGolf Tour before playing his way “That was huge,” List said during the the weekend. ries, in the finals of the 2004 U.S. onto the Nationwide Tour last year, fin - Nationwide Tour’s recent stop in Athens “I’ve putted really well, but I haven’t Amateur, and turned in one of the more ishing second in a tour stop in Wichita for the Stadion Classic at UGA. “It was hit it well at all. My putter has saved impressive amateur performances in one week after Monday qualifying his frustrating coming into the year with me,” List said of his early season play. recent memory in the ’05 Masters. way into a field and recording a top-25 conditional status, but to get a finish Looking at the bigger picture, List When List, who has spent most of his finish. like that, I’m locked in for the rest of gave himself a less than honors grade life living in the recently ravaged north - List mostly scuffled in his first 2 ½ the season.” after a tough day on the course in the west Georgia community of Ringgold, years as a pro, playing where he could List’s tie for second came in an odd Stadion Classic at UGA. completed his college career at but not enjoying a whole lot of success manner. He fired a 6-under 64 in the “I’ve been out of school four years and Vanderbilt, he was projected as one of at whatever level in which he was com - third round to move into a tie for I’m not where I projected myself. I’ve the most likely to succeed among a large peting. He received some exemptions second, one shot behind PGA Tour learned a lot as I go, but I still have work crop of outstanding prospects turning for both the PGA and Nationwide veteran Daniel Chopra , who shot 61 to do. My game has progressed some, pro at the time. Tours, owing mainly to his amateur suc - that day. but it’s really hard to be patient and to cess, and showed some promise with a The final round was delayed several not try too hard.” trio of respectable efforts on the hours by Bay Area fog and eventually List played well at times on the eGolf Nationwide Tour in 2009. cancelled when the fog returned later in Tour in 2008 and ’09, and has shown Later that year, List nearly played his the afternoon with the leaders nearing some flashes of his considerable talent way onto the PGA Tour, missing by the end of their opening nines. With no on the Nationwide Tour the last two sea - three shots in the finals of Q school. chance of completing the round before sons. But there have also been weeks of That earned him exempt status on the the day ended, the final round was can - disappointment, with back-to-back Nationwide Tour for 2010, and he got celled, with scores reverting to what they missed cuts in Valdosta and Athens off to a strong start with back-to- were after 54 holes. among them. List had begun to slip down the leader Still, List says he has been working board a bit on the final few holes he hard to “be positive” in his mental played, and wound up benefiting from approach. “If you take care of the little the stoppage in play, although he wasn’t stuff, the big stuff will take care of itself. all that happy at the time. “Once you think you’ve got this game List said that “it was such a nice day figured out, it will grab you back. But Saturday” that there was no thought I’ve kept a good attitude.” about the tournament ending prema - While some of golf’s more heralded turely. young American players made the PGA Luke List “But the weather out there is so fickle. Tour immediately after college, List was Even when the fog started rolling in, we not especially disturbed that he wasn’t felt like we would be able to play among that select group. Sunday. But there’s nothing you can do “If you go straight to the PGA Tour about the weather.” you can take it for granted. This way, Although he didn’t play quite as well once you get there, it’s sweeter. I’ve as he would have liked, List said it was taken some hard knocks, but I’ve gotten “nice to play a little bit” the final day. “I over them. You’ve got to earn it.” learned a lot from it.” List needs to remain in the top 25 on It was the first time List had played the money list for the rest of the year to A

R in the final group in the final round, earn a spot on the 2012 PGA Tour, with T S I

O and even though he didn’t make it that goal definitely within his reach. O K L A

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JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 23 Harman pins hopes on Monday qualifiers Mini-tour standout ponders different path

established himself as one of the top his time between the eGolf Tour and players can see their outstanding efforts By Mike Blum players on the tour that has become the Monday qualifiers for the Nationwide wasted in multi-player, crapshoot rian Harman is quickly top one in the U.S. below the Tour, again playing his way into an playoffs. climbing the ladder to success Nationwide Tour. event in his home state, Harman was 5-under after 17 holes in professional golf, but has In 14 starts, Harman notched 11 top Harman shot 66 at Glen Arven to in his qualifying round at Glen Arven, some decisions to make 10s, captured his first pro title in narrowly earn a spot in the field for the but instinctively knew “I’ve got to get rBegarding how he is going to proceed on Virginia and ended the year 3rd on the South Georgia Classic at Valdosta’s one more birdie.” his way up. tour in earnings with almost $88,000. Kinderlou Forest, and as he did the pre - It turned out he was right on both Harman turned pro late in 2009 after Harman also competed in three vious year in Athens, took advantage of counts. He needed the birdie for a 66 an exceptional amateur career, and has Nationwide Tour events, playing his way his opportunity. and as it turned out, exactly seven continued that success as a pro, although into the Stadion Classic in Athens and Despite bogeys on his final two holes players shot 66 or better. That put him on a slightly less visible scale. tying for 18th to earn a second tour start in the final round, Harman tied for in the tournament, and he played like The Savannah native was one of the the following week. Harman qualified 24th to earn a spot in the field the fol - he belonged there, tying for second for country’s most heralded juniors, for a third Nationwide event in lowing week in Athens. He turned in the week in both fairways hit and greens claiming the U.S. Junior Championship Jacksonville late in the season, with another solid effort on the renovated in regulation. in 2003, and winning the Georgia 2010 ending on a disappointing note for UGA course, shooting 1-under 283 to Harman was also among the top 20 Amateur and competing on the 2005 the former Bulldog when he failed to miss another top 25 finish by just in driving distance, but averaged just U.S. Walker Cup team before beginning advance beyond the first stage of two shots. over 30 putts per round. He was in his college career at the U. of Georgia. PGA Tour qualifying for a second After the opening round of the position for a possible top 10 finish Harman was a three-time second- straight year. Stadion Classic, Harman said he is re- before finishing bogey-bogey. team All-American as a Bulldog, and That put Harman back on the eGolf thinking his schedule for the remainder “I didn’t play as well the last day as I played on the Palmer Cup team in 2007 Tour to start 2011, and he began the of the year. wanted to,” said Harman, who was still before making a second Walker Cup year on a high note, finishing 2nd in the “I may do a lot of Monday qualifiers,” relieved that his effort was good enough appearance in ’09. He was medalist in a tour’s opener, losing in a playoff after a he said, with the possibility of fewer to get him into the field in Athens. He few of the biggest college tournaments strong final round showing. starts in mini-tour events. Playing on played respectably there with all four and also added a few prestigious amateur Harman took his game overseas for a the eGolf Tour is a more profitable way rounds between 70 and 72, but his T39 titles to his resume before turning pro. few weeks, competing in two eGolf Tour to go, Harman admits, but he is hoping finish was not high enough to keep his As a pro rookie in 2010, Harman tournaments in Morocco. He tied for to follow the path of PGA Tour players Nationwide Tour run going. played primarily on the North Carolina- 7th in the first one and led by six strokes Jason Bohn and Vaughn Taylor and For players like Harman with no based eGolf Tour and quickly after 36 holes the next week before current Nationwide Tour player status, finishing in the top 25 is an over - fading to a tie for 21st. Roberto Castro , whose careers were riding concern, and he admits “That’s Back in the U.S., Harman has split jump started by Monday qualifiers on definitely on your mind” coming down the Nationwide Tour. the stretch. Harman record three birdies Harman has played well in three of on the back nine and needed another his five Nationwide Tour starts, and on the demanding finishing hole at the believes he can do that over a longer UGA course, but came away with his stretch of time, as opposed to an occa - third bogey of the tournament on the sional event here and there. lengthy par-4 18th. “The way I see it, I feel like I can Eight days later it was another compete out here. This is where I need Monday qualifier for Harman, but in a to be. It’s the best place to make the slightly different setting. Playing in a gains I need to make.” U.S. Open local qualifier in Ponte Monday qualifying can be a costly Vedra Beach, Fla., just down the road Brian and maddening experience for players from his residence on St. Simons Island, Harman like Harman. The Nationwide Tour Harman tied for 2nd to advance to sec - reserves 14 spots in most of its tourna - tional qualifying. ment fields for qualifiers, with the “I’m just trying to keep moving for - qualifying field usually split over two ward,” says Harman, who will likely get courses, resulting in up to 150 players the chance in sectional qualifying to vying for seven spots on each course. compete against some of his contempo - “Every shot is so important,” Harman raries who have already attained status explains, “and you can’t always control of some sort on either the PGA or the outcome. It’s definitely frustrating. ” Nationwide Tours. Otherwise excellent scores of 67 and “I know I can play with those guys, 68 will usually produce nothing other but it’s so hard to get out there. I feel A R T

S than a long drive or plane ride home, like I’ve gotten a lot better since turning I O O

K and even after rounds of 65 and 66, pro. If I keep doing that, I’ll be fine.” L A

24 JUNE 2011 JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 25 Chip Shots S 4 Georgia teams A M M O R G

advance to finals A N /

Four of the five Georgia college golf G E O R

teams competing at the regional level G I A K T E E N

advanced to the NCAA Championship, C N H E S A A T

which was played May 31-June 5 in W H L S G E T T S A I Stillwater, Okla. G C T A S James White Matt Nagy E Mark Strickland Georgia Tech took second in the East Regional in Radford, Va., after leading heading to the final round. Defending days. Duluth’s Ben Greene led after an Andrew Georgiou and Atlanta area PGA Dalton, in Bluffton, S.C; Nationwide Tour national champion Augusta State was 2nd opening 67 and was among the 36-hole teaching professional Andrew Stelten , player Scott Brown of Augusta in in the Southeast Regional in Ocala, Fla., leaders at 138, but faltered with a 79 the who shot 4-under 68 to share medalist Blythewood, S.C.; Savannah’s Brian with Atlantic Sun champion Kennesaw final day. honors with four other golfers, including Harman and Brunswick’s Chris Johnson in State one shot behind the Jaguars in Jonathan Klotz of Columbus and Chad Nationwide Tour player Gary Christian . Ponte Vedra, Fla.; Nationwide Tour player 3rd place. Wilson of Calhoun both contributed two Shooting 69 to advance were: tour Brendon Todd of Atlanta, co-medalist in Georgia narrowly advanced in the counting scores each, as the Owls finished players Will Claxton of Swainsboro and Durham, N.C., with a 65; UGA golfer South Central Regional in Erie, Colo., tying five strokes ahead of the 6th place team. Brent Witcher of Lawrenceville; Kennesaw Hudson Swafford in Watersound, Fla.; and for 4th to finish one stroke ahead of the Southern Conference champion Georgia State golfer Matt Nagy , who qualified for Georgia Tech golfer Richy Werenski in team in 6th place. The top five finishers Southern shot 4-under 860, but came up the 2009 U.S. Open; and Georgia Tech Newport, R.I. Former Newnan resident from each of the six regionals advanced to just short. Logan Blondell tied for 6th at golfer Kyle Scott. Steve Gilley was first alternate in Houston, the NCAA Championship. 209, with teammate Hayden Anderson T14 Eight players tied for the final spot at 70, losing a playoff for the final two spots. The lone Georgia team that did not at 213. Statesboro’s Matt Deal opened with with recent Georgia golfer Adam Mitchell Women’s Open qualifying: Two former advance was Georgia Southern , which a 72, but the Eagles had to count his final earning first alternate status. Lilburn ama - members of the Georgia women’s golf placed 8th in the Southeast Regional, four two scores of 76 and 77, as the team’s No. 2 teur Ted Moon was among the other team and the state’s top junior golfer quali - strokes behind the 5th place finisher. player struggled over the last 36 holes. players shooting 70. fied for the U.S. Women’s Open, taking the Georgia Tech led after each of the first Georgia survived a rocky opening round Missing the playoff by one shot were top three spots in a sectional qualifier at two rounds in its regional, but Duke shot a of 294, coming back with scores of 276 and amateurs Charlie Harrison of Atlanta; Atlanta’s Druid Hills GC. tournament best 280 the final day for an 287 to end up at 7-under 857. TCU was 6th Derek Chang of Alpharetta; David Noll of Sharing medalist honors at 1-over 145 865 total, four ahead of the ACC champion at 858 with Clemson 7th at 859. The Dalton; and Clemson signee Billy were LPGA Tour veteran Reilley Rankin Yellow Jackets. Tech shot 287 in the third Bulldogs were 24 strokes behind top- Kennerly of Alpharetta; Towne Lake Hills and Futures Tour player Whitney Wade . round after leading by three strokes after seeded Oklahoma State, the host for the assistant professional Bill Murchison ; and Riverdale’s Mariah Stackhouse , a rising 54 holes, finishing at 5-over 869. NCAA Championship. Columbus native and former Nationwide high school senior, won a playoff for the Leading the way for the Jackets were Thomasville’s Harris English led the Tour player Hugh Royer III. final spot, scoring a birdie on Druid Hills’ Kyle Scott and Acworth’s James White , Bulldogs, tying for 4th at 6-under 210 with Other scores of note: 72 – Taylor Floyd , par-5 18th to get into the playoff. who both tied for 2nd at 4-under 212. Scott scores of 72-70-68. Albany’s T.J. Mitchell Scott Parel , Matthew Evans ; 73 – Kevin LPGA Tour player Jean Reynolds of was the lone player to break 70 in the was the top‘Dog for two days, shooting 69- Roman , Mike Pavao , Billy Shida ; Newnan was tied for the lead after opening round, carding a 68, with White 68 before closing with a 75. He tied for 9th 74 – Michael Parrott . shooting 72 in the morning round, but shooting a 68 the final day. J.T. Griffin tied at 212. Five college golfers were among the six came back with a 78 that afternoon to tie for 17th at 221, with freshman Richy Macon’s Russell Henley , coming off his Georgians advancing from the River Club. for 11th at 150. Werenski posting a 224 total with all three win the Nationwide Tour Stadion Classic, Shooting 69 to tie for 2nd in the qualifier WAPL qualifying: UGA golf team scores counting. tied for 15th at 214, shooting 68 in the were Acworth’s Cameron Simmons member Emilie Burger was the medalist in After a tournament best 275 in the second round. Henley was 3-under after 14 (Akron); Woodstock’s Anders Albertson a U.S. Women’s Public Links qualifier at the second round, Augusta took the lead after holes in the final, but bogeyed three of his (Georgia Tech); and Nationwide Tour player Oaks. Burger, the 2010 Yamaha Georgia 36 holes in Ocala, but Florida shot 277 the last four holes for a 72, as the Bulldogs Kyle Reifers , an Atlanta resident. Women’s Open champion, shot 4-under 67 final day to 287 for the Jaguars, who wound almost dropped out of the top five. Powder Springs’ Ollie Schneiderjans , to finish five strokes ahead of Kennesaw up six strokes behind the Gators. Augusta Hudson Swafford , one of the team’s like Albertson a freshman at Georgia Tech, State golfer Ket Preamchuen . finished with a 12-under 852 total. three senior starters, struggled the first day, shot 71 to advance, as did Augusta’s Brian The tournament will be played June 27- Augusta State’s Patrick Reed shared but rebounded with scores of 70 and 72. Carter (UGA). Duluth’s Mookie DeMoss July 2 at the Bandon Dunes Resort in medalist honors in the regional with a 10- (Mercer) got the 8th and final spot with a Oregon. under 206 total that included back-to-back 72, with Vanderbilt freshman Jordan Janico, scores of 67 the final two rounds. Henrik Georgians advance also of Duluth, the first alternate at 73. Norlander tied for 14th at 213, with Evans’ Other scores of note: 74 – Jamie Bowen , Strickland takes Carter Newman T21 at 215. in local qualifying Kyle Stiles , Jin Chung , Harris English, Kennesaw was 3rd in the regional at 11- Parker Beck , John Smoltz ; 75 – Roberto GSGA Mid-Am for U.S. Open Woodstock’s Mark Strickland captured under 853, playing the final 36 holes in Castro , Blaine Woodruff ; 76 – Scott Two Atlanta area clubs hosted recent his second GSGA Mid-Amateur title, win - 13-under. Jeff Karlsson led the Owls, Dunlap , Taylor Hall , Mark Strickland . local qualifiers for the U.S. Open, with ning last month by three strokes at closing with scores of 69-67 for a 7-under Among those advancing from local qual - 12 Georgians advancing to sectional Kinderlou Forest in Valdosta. 209 total to tie for 6th. Buena Vista’s Matt ifiers outside the state were: mini-tour qualifying. Strickland, who won the championship Nagy rallied from an opening 77 to tie for players Jay McLuen , Forsyth; Tommy Among the qualifiers at Dunwoody CC in 2006 at Cartersville CC, shot 70-68-72 for 17th at 214, shooting 70-67 the final two Schaff , Savannah; and Matt Hughes , were former Columbus State golfer a 6-under 210 total, three strokes better

26 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 than Cason Hammock of Columbus, who Island, won a three-day event at The came to the U.S. from England to play his shared the GSGA 4-Ball Championship title Peach State Tour Orchard in Clarkesville, winning a playoff college golf at Tennessee, won a Hooters three weeks earlier in his hometown. over Forsyth’s Jay McLuen . Both players Tour tournament last month in Tennessee, Hammock shot 71 in all three rounds to has 3 May playoffs shot 14-under 202, with Sims (67-69-66) shooting 22-under 264, including a final All three Peach State Golf Tour events take 2nd at 213. Augusta’s Jeff Knox , a two- making up four shots in the final round round 64, to win by one stroke. in May went to playoffs, with Evans resi - time Mid-Am champ, tied for 3rd at 216 against McLuen (65-67-70). Warner Robins’ Chris Wolfe tied for dent Brett Munson winning one and with Monroe’s Mark Sweeney , who shot a Sims took home $15,000 when he won 10th at 274, with Jonesboro’s Hank Kim losing one. 69 the final round. Former champion David on the first extra hole. McLuen earned 16th at 277. Munson lost to Matt Bryant in the last Noll of Dalton tied for 5th at 218 with Chris $3,000 for his runner-up finish. Bryant and eGolf Tour: In a recent eGolf Tour event of the three May tournaments, played at Hall of Kennesaw and Bill Hodges of Athens’ Kyle Stiles tied for 3rd at 205, with played at Pine Needles and Southern Old Union in Blairsville. Both players shot Thomasville. Champions Tour player James Mason , Pines in Pinehurst, N.C., Georgians Scott 10-under 134, with Bryant scoring birdies Hammock and Jason Fober of Fortson a former instructor at The Orchard, 6th Parel and Brian Harman finished 2nd and at three of the last four holes to force the won the 4-Ball Championship at Green at 206. 3rd respectively behind tournament playoff and winning with a par on the first Island CC, finishing with a 17-under 196 Hooters Tour: Former Norcross winner Jasion Kokrak . extra hole. total, three strokes ahead of four teams. The resident Reid Edstrom and ex-Clayton Parel, an Augusta resident and former Bryant (66-68) took home $10,000 for two grew up playing golf together, with State golfer Will Wilcox were part Nationwide Tour player, shot 70-65-64-68 his victory, with Munson (65-69) earning Fober making his first appearance in a of a five-way playoff in a Hooters Tour for a 17-under 267 total, five strokes $1,875. Tying for 3rd at 135 were Jimmy GSGA event after regaining his amateur event in McCormick, S.C., with Tennessee’s behind Kokrak. Harman, a Savannah Brandt (67-68) and Savannah’s Mark status. They shot 66-65-65 and did not Phillip Pettit outlasting his four native now living on St. Simons Island, was Silvers (69-66), the tour’s leading money make a bogey in the tournament. opponents with a birdie on the second 3rd at 268 with scores of 64-67-70-67. winner with two wins in 2011. Among the teams tying for 2nd were extra hole. After the tournament, Harman was 5th The previous week, Munson won in a Noll and Strickland, who shared the 4-Ball Wilcox, who has since played his way on the tour’s money list and Parel 6th, with playoff over Brandt at Jennings Mill, with title with Louis Brown in 2008. John Smith onto the Nationwide Tour, closed with both earning just over $40,000 each. both players shooting 9-under 135. of Duluth and Scott Cunningham of Johns scores of 65-66, with Edstrom, a former Recent Georgia Bulldog Adam Munson (68-67) won on the first playoff Creek also shot 199, as did Chase Jones Nationwide Tour player who played his Mitchell , now living in Atlanta, tied for 5th hole over Brandt (66-69) to take first place and Jayce Stepp of Cartersville; and college golf at Auburn and now lives in the previous eGolf Tour event in High money of $10,000. Former Nationwide Nick Brown of Canton and John Belicka there, posting three rounds of 66, Point, N.C., with Duluth’s Brent Witcher Tour player Scott Parel of Augusta was of Woodstock. Jones and Stepp shot a including the final day. They both finished and former UGA golfer Richard Scott T10 3rd at 139. tournament best 63 to lead after the at 18-under 270. at 278. Current Nationwide Tour player opening round. Atlanta resident David Skinns , who Michael Sims , who plays out of St. Simons

JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 27 P P G G A A

Golf FORE Juniors

Howard wins again O’Bryan takes first at CC of Columbus at Hard Labor Creek Jonathan Howard of Columbus won a Jake O’Bryan of Madison shot 71-72—143 Jonathan Howard Annie Swords Georgia PGA Junior Tour tournament in his at The Creek at Hard Labor to win a Georgia hometown for a second straight year, State Parks Junior Tour event by five over taking the boys division at Country Club of Albany’s Jacob Joiner . The two were tied Augusta, S.C., was the boys overall and Kayla Jones of Alpharetta 4th at 226 and Columbus. after the first round. 15-19 winner at 142 (70-72), with Tyler Janet Mao of Johns Creek 5th at 227. Howard won the Georgia PGA Junior Jeremy Wood of Loganville shot 153 to Barker of Evans 2nd in 13-14 at 153, three In an AJGA event at the Innisbrook Championship at CC of Columbus last year, win the 12-13 age group by three over Salil behind the winner. Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla., Amira and won again last month in a regular tour Ghamande of Evans. Tyler Lipscomb of Alexander of Alpharetta tied for 11th in the event, posting scores of 75-69—144 to Carrollton was the 10-11 winner at 151, girls division with a 219 total. Joseph Lewis finish six strokes ahead of Alex Thompson taking a playoff over Preston Topper Pisciotta third of Savannah tied for 14th in the boys of Quitman. of Suwanee. division at 220, with Michael Garretson of Harry Lambert of Suwanee was 3rd in Hannah Barger was the girls 14-19 in AJGA event Acworth T19 at 222. the 16-18 age group at 154, followed by winner by a huge margin, posting a 154 Michael Pisciotta tied for 3rd in a recent Tyler Woodyard of Bonaire at 155 and Will total. Bailey Buie of Waycross shot 161 to American Junior Golf Association Junior All- Johnson of Columbus at 156. win the 12-13 age group, with Erin Peters Star (age 12-15) tournament at Chateau Parker Derby of Columbus was the of Canton the 10-11 winner. Elan, shooting 4-over 217 Junior ace of the month 14-15 winner at 75-77—152, with Stanton Hurricane Junior Tour: Bartram Trail in on the Chateau course. Five-year-old Thomas Reid Schorr of Columbus 2nd at 156. Andrew Evans hosted a recent tournament on the He finished two behind scored a hole-in-one on the Bourg of Peachtree City and Jonathan Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, with Sloan winner Cody Carlson of third hole at Smoke Rise on Keppler of Marietta tied for 3rd at 157. Shanahan of Suwanee the girls overall Florida, and was the only Friday, May 13, holing out Will Chandler of Atlanta was 1st in 11-13 winner at 150 (72-78), two strokes ahead of Georgian in the top 20 in from 92 yards with his at 160, one shot ahead of Luke Eunice Yi of Evans. the boys divi sion. US Kids 3-metal. His father Schniederjans of Powder Springs. Jacob Bayer of Lawrenceville was the Jessica Hoang of North Tom Reid is the club’s Annie Swords of Newnan shot 156 to boys 10-12 winner by two strokes, shooting Augusta, S.C., was 3rd in the Membership Director. win the girls division by nine strokes over 77-73—150. Patrick Shurlock of North girls division at 223, with Kayley Marschke of Suwanee.

Georgians sweep PNC preview finish in the PNC was a tie for 9th in ‘02. Senior Open [ Continued from page 8 ] During his career in the Georgia PGA, [ Continued from page 15 ] SJGT Dublin event Stevens has twice earned Player of the Year Georgians won all five divisions in a recent round in 2009. He has qualified for the honors (1999 and 2001) and has been a was among a large group of players tying Southeastern Junior Golf Tour tournament PGA Championship five times, earning contender for that title almost every year for 9th in the Senior Open at 1-over 145 at Dublin CC. the last of the available 20 spots from the since. He has 11 Section titles, including after shooting a 69 in the second round. Matt Mell of Savannah was the boys PNC in playoffs in both 2005 and ’06, back-to-back wins last year in the Section Also tying for 9th at 145 were pros 16-19 and overall winner at 142 (70-72), and missed by narrow margins on four Championship and PNC qualifier. Russell Smith (Bent Tree), Mike three shots ahead of Wheaton Hall of other occasions. Stevens, who teaches at Steel Canyon Schlueter (West Pines) and Charlie Springfield. Will McFarlin of Alpharetta was Weinhart, an instructor with Nuclear in Sandy Springs, won at The Manor last King (Griffin GC) and amateurs Rocky 3rd at 146. Henry Gee of Hiram shot Golf, which is based at the Standard year by three strokes, shooting 9-under Costa and Mark Benefield . 73-73—146 to win the 14-15 age group by Club, has earned Georgia PGA Player of 135 in the 36-hole event. Stevens turned The tournament was without two- four over Tye Waller of Griffin. Spencer Yi the Year honors six times – from 2002-05 50 earlier this year and has made a few time defending champion Javier of Johns Creek was 3rd at 151. and each of the last two years. He has attempts at qualifying for Champions Sanchez , who elected to remain in Walker Bottomley of Milton was the won all four of the Section’s designated Tour tournaments. Florida to compete in a Sunbelt 12-13 winner in a playoff over Alexander majors among his 10 victories, and also Roman will be competing in the PNC Senior Tour tournament. Sanchez, a DeRosa of Atlanta, with both posting won the PGA South Region for the third straight year. In his first Fayetteville resident, is the No. 1 player 156 totals. Championship in 2003, when that event appearance in the PNC in 2009, he tied on the tour with a win, three seconds and Haley Austin was the girls winner at 151 served as the qualifier for the club pro - for 16th to earn a spot in the PGA three other top-4 finishes this year, (72-79), two shots ahead of 12-14 age group fessional championship. Championship at Hazeltine, as well as a but finished out of the money in the winner Bailey Tardy of Norcross, who shot Stevens has an even longer history in return invitation to last year’s PNC. tournament that conflicted with 81-72—153. Megal Sabol of Martinez was the PNC, and will be playing in the Roman, an instructor at Cherokee CC, the Georgia Open. second in 12-14 at 156. event for the 15th time this year. With typically plays a light tournament The Sunbelt Senior Tour is scheduled Brett Barron of Suwanee shot 70-70— the exception of 2009, he has not missed schedule, but has played well in the to make two stops in Georgia this 140 to win the boys 12-13 division of an the PNC since 1998, and made the Section’s PNC qualifier, tying for 6th at month at Maple Ridge in Columbus SJGT tournament in Santa Rosa, Fla., by nine cut seven straight years from 2001-07, The Manor last year to earn a third con - (19-21) and Pinetree CC in Kennesaw strokes. Michael Pisciotta of Alpharetta qualifying for back-to-back PGA secutive trip to the PNC. (23-25). shot 79-69—148 to tie for first in 14-15, but Championships in 2001 and ’02. His best lost in a playoff.

28 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JUNE 2011 College players shooting for another State Am title finished first at Coosa Country Club in By Mike Blum Rome. Brown, however, has not been a fter dominating the Georgia factor in the tournament the past few Amateur from 2007-09, years, leaving Womack and a group of UGA golf team members fellow mid-ams to carry on the battle Harris English and Russell with the college crowd. HAenley did not play in last year’s event, The only other mid-am to capture the giving the state’s mid-amateur contin - Georgia Amateur title in the past eight gent hopes of capturing the GSGA’s years was David Noll , who won at championship event for the first time Pinetree in 2003. Since then, Noll has since 2006. finished second twice, third once and sixth or better on two other occasions. Jeff Knox , Lee’s father, has been a frequent contender in the State Am preview event, along with Mark Strickland , who recently scored his second But even without Henley and English victory in the GSGA Mid-Amateur in the field, the run of recent success by Championship. Knox, Strickland and state college players continued, with Lee Noll have a combined five Mid-Am titles Knox taking the 2010 title at The and a host of top finishes in the State Landings Club in Savannah. Amateur, but Noll’s win in ’03 is their Knox, who plays on the golf team at only triumph in that event. Alabama, edged out fellow Augusta resi - Hanzel, also a former Mid-Am cham - dent and college player Chase Parker pion, took his shot at victory last year, (Kentucky) by one stroke, with Landings which would have been the second time member Doug Hanzel also making a in three years a player had won on his strong run at victory on his home course, home course. Henley’s first Georgia finishing two shots behind Knox in Amateur title came in 2008 at Idle third place. Hour in Macon, where his parents The 2011 Georgia Amateur begins a are members. three-year run in Atlanta, with Cherokee Henley and English are among a Town & Country Club hosting this lengthy list of talented college players year’s event, which is scheduled for July who have won the Georgia Amateur, 7-10. along with the likes of Brian Harman , This will be the third time Cherokee David Denham , Tim O’Neal , Paul has hosted the Georgia Amateur, the last Claxton , Hugh Royer III , Peter time in 2001. Elberton’s Michael Webb , Persons and Bill Bergin . then a senior on the Augusta State golf Not all of the Georgia Amateur cham - team, won in a playoff over Randy pions who won the event as college Donahoo , with both players finishing golfers have gone on to success in the with 72-hole totals of 10-under 278. sport, with Webb among that group. His Among the contenders was Dave win at Cherokee a decade ago came in Womack , who had just completed his slightly bizarre fashion, although not of college career at Georgia State. Womack his doing. finished 5th that year, three shots out of After making birdie on the par-5 18th the Webb-Donahoo playoff. to get into a playoff with Donahoo, After a brief professional career, Webb again reached the green in two and Womack regained his amateur status and holed his putt for an anticlimactic eagle went on to win two GSGA Public Links on the first extra hole. The feat was Championships, as well as a USGA Mid- robbed of any drama by Donahoo’s Amateur title and last year’s Atlanta adventure on the playoff hole, which Open, which was played on his home began with an errant second shot that course (Georgia National). was found in Cherokee’s cart barn left of Womack will be among the state’s tal - the 18th green. ented group of mid-amateurs who will After a lengthy delay to sort things attempt to end the reign of the college out, Donahoo wound up with a double contingent, who have won the Georgia bogey, holing his putt for 7 before Webb Amateur six of the last seven years. attempted his eagle attempt. The last time a non-college player won was in 2006, when Dublin’s Bill Brown

JUNE 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 29 olf! of Junior G Course g 10 Years Reviews Celebratin the ns to Play op Reaso Tour! Wolf Creek Golf Course (Public) T unior 3000 Union Rd., Atlanta; 404-34 4-1334; www.wolfcreekgc.com J hip PGA e relations STAFF: Randy Grebeck, PGA Golf Professional/General Manager; Mark Abrams, rgia Fun, lifetim eo [ ents Superintendent G ip fee uilding ev s membersh b mer Serie ew lower anded Sum PAR/YARDAGE: Wolf Creek is par 72 with four sets of tees: Gold (7,033 yards); Blue (6578; X N priced ] Exp nomically le White (6,080; Red (5,262). Y Eco schedu ion to home ally uate Divis & close profession New Grad COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.2/143 (Gold); 71.2/138 (Blue); 69.0/130 (White); 70.1/125 (Red). petitive & ^ 21 Most com r ages 19- s Z olf program fo courses a n junior g such great ru _ Play East Lake ABOUT THE COURSE: One of the best and strongest courses on Atlanta’s southside, Wolf eorgia Ridge GC, in G ted events Hawk’s BE exemp a Island GC Creek features an interesting but frequently perilous layout by Georgia-based designer AJGA P ents GC and Se \ le tournam Mike Young. Wolf Creek’s slope numbers are among the highest for a daily fee course in all & all 36-ho ked of Atlanta, with to plenty of trouble in play. For the most part, Young provides ample fair - are JGS ran ways, but there are more than a few carries of length over hazards, with tee selection critical, especially for the distance challenged among us. Young’s design includes several holes that present the distinct possibility of producing ugly numbers on the scorecard, beginning with a trio of par 5s you encounter early (3) and late (17 and 18). All three feature hazards between tee and green, with positioning required on all three and length a definite asset. While the par 5s, including the straight and relatively tame opening hole, all have some length, the par 3s are definitely on the short side, with three under 140 yards from the blue tees. While they lack for length, the four present some surprisingly difficult- to-find targets. The downhill 11th is a great test of short iron distance control, and the scenic 14th, with a green surrounded on three sides by water, can present some real con - cern when the wind is blowing and the pin is cut back right, perilously close to sand and SignSign uupp & ggetett ththee ddetailsetails water. The par 4s are a diverse group, with several holes that rank with the toughest in the aatt ggeorgiapga.com!eorrggiaapga.com! metro area along with a handful that are on the short side and offer some scoring oppor - tunities. Holes 8 and 9 both require forced carries, one on the second shot (8) the other off the tee (9). Even from the white tees, the holes measure right around 400 yards, with the demanding 8th also featuring a trio of greenside bunkers, one of a relatively handful of holes with sand a serious factor. The putting surfaces, however, are part of Wolf Creek’s challenge, with the excellent bent grass greens featuring sufficient movement to put your putting touch to the test. An extremely enjoyable but challenging layout.

St. Marlo Country Club (Semi-Private) 7755 St. Marlo Country Club Parkway, Duluth; 770-495-7725; www.st.marlo.com Preferred Rates on STAFF: PGA professional Tom Ridge and Lee Andrea are the Directors of Operations PAR/YARDAGE: St. Marlo is a par 72 with four sets of tees: Gold (6,823) yards; Blue (6,405); Golf & Travel with the White (5,933) and Red (4,969). Georgia PGA Golf Pass COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 73.7/140 (Gold); 71.9/135 (Blue); 69.1/128 (White); 70.2/121 (Red). ABOUT THE COURSE: Considered one of the elite daily fee courses in metro Atlanta since * it opened in the early 1990s, St. Marlo has recently joined the growing list of outstanding Over $1000 of Free Golf courses managed by Affiniti Golf Partners. From its name to location in a gated community z Over 35 FREE rounds of golf with cart rental on the north Fulton/Forsyth border to the superb course conditions to its clubhouse, z Preferred Discounted Rates at over 100 Courses! St. Marlo is of country club caliber in almost every respect. Designed by Atlanta-based z Private Country Club Access — Play Private Golf Clubs! course architect Denis Griffiths, who has compiled a sizeable and impressive resume of z Travel: Book Tickets/Hotels Online & Save Hundreds Georgia layouts, St. Marlo is a scenic, diverse test with a terrific collection of holes. Griffiths on Your Next Trip! mixes things up splendidly both from strategic and difficulty standpoints. With a few Restaurants: Save Money at Thousands z exceptions, the course is on the forgiving side off the tee, although OB stakes do encroach of Restaurants Nationwide! here and there. The difficulty begins with a trio of long and demanding par 4s that feature gapgagolfpass.com heavy doses of sand (2 and 12) and water (15), along with some testy greens complexes. The bent grass surfaces at St. Marlo are typically among the best around, with the areas around them among the best conditioned you’ll play, easing the demands on your short game a bit. Along with the trio of long and demanding par 4s, Griffiths’ layout includes two Pays for intriguing and visually appealing shorter par 4s (6 and 14), with the latter sporting one of $49.95 Itself in One most intimidating short approach shots around. The par 5s are all on the short side by or Two Uses Membership modern standards, with the narrow, sand-dotted 5th the lone one that does not present an excellent scoring opportunity. Both 10 and 13 are reachable by those who rarely can get to par 5s in two, as is the somewhat quirky 9th, although the sizeable boulder that guards the steeply elevated green may dissuade many from taking a chance. The par 3s are among the most aesthetically pleasing groups you’ll come across, with hazards in play on all four to varying degrees and just one (16) featuring much length.

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