GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« AUGUST 2012 Shining coastal gem making a comeback Sapelo Hammock rates high for beauty, challenge

With the course again in excellent By Mike Blum shape, Sapelo Hammock is back on the oastal golf in Georgia is path to becoming a major player in the largely associated with either coastal golf scene, offering one of the the Brunswick/Golden Isles most visually appealing and enjoyable area or Savannah. But there courses in the state. iCs one largely undiscovered gem located The club is now managed by CGL of midway between the two that is experi - Savannah, which has been recognized encing a welcome comeback. for its work with Arrowhead Pointe, one ninth hole Sapelo Hammock opened in 1999 in of the Georgia State Parks newer and n Sapelo Hammock’s ut daunting tee shot o the coastal community of Shelman most successful courses, as well as Scenic b G R E

Bluff, just outside Darien. The course Mystery Valley and Collins Hill in B N I D received initially positive reviews, but metro Atlanta and Henderson Golf play along or over the marshes and offer E V E T the early focus was more on the sur - Club in Savannah. about its recent struggles and closing memorable conclusions to each side. S rounding development than the golf Alan Cale, CGL’s Vice President, says will be heartened by the work to restore The visual appeal of the course is strong course, and in the Fall of 2010, the the club is looking to both add to its the hope of a bright future for the club. from the outset, with live oaks, over - course closed for play. membership and increase its daily fee In addition to the improvements to hanging moss and a variety of hazards A sizeable group of individuals who business, with the long term goal of course conditions, the overall facility has making for some pleasant views, while own property in the area purchased the making Sapelo Hammock a “stay and also been upgraded. The dining facility providing most of Sapelo Hammock’s club, which reopened last Summer after play destination.” The club is also is first rate, with the club also featuring considerable challenge. being out of commission for almost a looking to attract more outings and a nicely appointed guest room above the Sapelo Hammock was designed by year. The effort to restore the course to tournaments, and is close enough to clubhouse that can accommodate four Rusty Simmons, who worked with quality conditions was sufficiently suc - both Savannah and the Brunswick area with ample amounts of space and a Davis Love’s design firm. It was his first cessful that there is no evidence that to be able to generate business. wonderful view of the marshes bor - solo effort and has been well-regarded Sapelo Hammock was out of play a little Those who recognized the early dering the course. over a year ago. promise of Sapelo Hammock but heard Both nines conclude with holes that [ See Sapelo Hammock, page 6 ]

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2 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 3 Instruction Fore You

3021 Kalah Place, Marietta, GA 30067 770-933-04GA • 770-953-6638 fax golfforegeorgia.com • [email protected] Please send all press releases to: [email protected] PUBLISHER Golf Media, Inc. • John Barrett EDITOR Mike Blum The Hacker’s Hula SOCIAL MEDIA CREATIVE SERVICES / By Ted Fort remains this far from the ground it neces - right shoulder does not return to its address HYPDMedia, Inc./Ellen Marsau/Catalina Montana PGA Teaching Professional sitates the early straightening of the right position. MARKETING SERVICES COORDINATOR S Marietta Golf Center arm and a severe lack of power. Anna Launi/Kendall Grzyb In contrast, in pictures #3 and #4, #5 and The right arm remains bent until it gets CONTRIBUTORS  Ted Fort • Robert Matre If your slices are so bad that they are #6, you will see the movement of the very close to the ball, delivering much more • Steve Dinberg • Al Kooistra becoming circles and you need an abacus hands down the circle from two perspec - potential energy. MARKETING & ADVERTISING to total your score at the end of tives. The hands do not make National Sales: Ed Bowen/Bowen Group a round, you are likely having this move by themselves. It’s the A good contrast can be found in pictures #1 Media Sales, [email protected] Local & Corporate Sale: John Barrett/Rick trouble with the swing plane. In right shoulder that carries the and #4. Instead of delivering the club to the Holt, [email protected] the following pictures, I am hands and the bent right arm ball with a high right forearm, imagine that going to show you a very simple closer to the ball. And, it’s a you must deliver the club to the ball with the ART DIRECTOR drill, with a hula hoop, to iden - sliding hip that carries the right forearm underneath the left elbow. Lori Montgomery tify proper alignments. Doing shoulder. If you are first able to You’ll find this position very often on the GEORGIA SECTION , this drill will help you to stop mimic these static positions, I PGA Tour, but you’ll need one more thing. If PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS the over-the-top swing. would try to move back and you follow this process, understand that a President I wish I had a dime for every time that forth between them. When you learn to closing clubface must follow. Brian Stubbs, PGA I’ve heard a golf commentator talk about waggle between each position you will If you are able to implement these [email protected] the body turn or pivot. Seemingly, there’s notice a few things: changes, send me a Christmas card. If you Vice President Mark Mongell, PGA nothing else important in the golf swing. are afraid of change and continue to look [email protected] It’s the very reason I have a distressed  Moving the hands down the circle like the first two pictures, buy value packs of Secretary mute button on my remote control. The requires a weight shift. Yes, there is a hip golf balls. If you have any questions, feel free Brian Albertson, PGA [email protected] body does not turn immediately in the slide before the turning of the body begins. to contact me. Honorary President downstroke. When it does, the result is It’s not a sway, as the head is not moving Patrick Richardson, PGA, [email protected] seen in pictures #1 and #2. Things to note forward with the hips. Ted Fort is the 2006 Georgia PGA in these pictures are the hands moving Teacher of the Year and can be reached CHAPTER PRESIDENTS outside the plane and the right shoulder The right shoulder gets closer to the at fortifiedgolf.com. Central Chapter President  Mike Baker, PGA, [email protected] staying very high. When the right shoulder ball as it nears impact. In other words, the East Chapter President Josh Williams, PGA • [email protected] North Chapter President Ted Fort , PGA • [email protected]  AT - LARGE DIRECTORS Jeff Dunovant, PGA [email protected] Matthew Evans, PGA [email protected] John Godwin, PGA [email protected] Scott Mahr, PGA [email protected] Michael Raymond, PGA [email protected] Bob Stevenson, PGA [email protected] Darin Stinson, PGA [email protected]

INSIDE THIS ISSUE SENIOR DIVISION President Gordon McIntire , PGA • [email protected] FEATURES: DEPARTMENTS: ASSISTANTS ’ DIVISION President t Gary Miller, PGA s Fricke takes Special win for Zach Golf FORE Juniors ...... 24, 26 [email protected] a Georgia Open ...... 8 Johnson ...... 16 Executive Director Mike Paull c Assistant Executive Director/ e Chip Shots: GPGA Championship Solid season for Junior Golf Director Scott Gordon r Tournament round-up ...... 28 Tournament Director Pat Day, PGA o preview ...... 10 Paul Claxton ...... 18 Operations Manager Eric Wagner F Keppler wins at LPGA Legends debuts Junior Golf Manager: Lauren Giesecke Berkeley Hills ...... 12 in Atlanta ...... 20 Course reviews: Section Assistant Carrie Ann Byrne Willow Lake, Orchard Hills ...... 30 FedExCup Playoffs Georgia Amateur FOREGeorgia is produced by Golf Media, Inc. Copyright ©2010 with all rights reserved. preview ...... 14 wrap-up ...... 22 Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content is prohibited. 4 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM Georgia PGA web site: www.georgiapga.com. Challenge Your Game on Some Great Courses in and 3OD\ /RRNRXW 0RXQWDLQ·V around Atlanta! 3UHPLHU *ROI &RPPXQLW\ $ 6KRUW 'ULYH 6RXWK )URP &KDWWDQRRJD Hosting Tournaments in Atlanta since 1993! Mix of flighted stroke play, Stableford and skins events

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 Natural beauty of Sapelo Hammock is evident throughout course without. The third features a lagoon that runs all the way down the right side to Sapelo Hammock the green, with the approach offering the par-5 12th has its challenges, course is not much more than 10 min - [ Continued from the cover ] bailout room to the left. The green beginning with a tee shot that has to be utes off I-95 from both the north and includes a back right bowl that makes precise to avoid clumps of pesky trees south. The extremely affordable rates are for some interesting approaches and right and left than can require some also a draw for golfers from outside the since it opened. The new owners made short game shots with the lagoon not inventive second shots. If you can avoid immediate area, and there are very few virtually no changes to Simmons’ excel - far off. trouble right on the lay-up, the short (if any) courses in the state that lent layout while restoring it other than The seventh presents a slightly decep - third shot offers minimal resistance. provide as enjoyable an overall golf expe - making a few of the more hazardous tive look from the tee, with a trio of Sapelo Hammock’s hazardous stretch rience as you’ll get at Sapelo Hammock. holes play a bit shorter with some minor bunkers down the left seemingly swal - of finishing holes begins at the 16th, a Cale says those who have played tee adjustments. lowing up the entire landing mid-length par 4 with a pond and bulk - Sapelo Hammock in the past know what The course measures a area. There is plenty of room head wall zealously guarding right side a great course it is with the views of the modest 6,866 yards from the right of them, with bigger pin positions. The fairway is generous marsh and natural setting that is a haven back tees, although there are hitters having the option of and there is room left of the water, but for local wildlife. Once you play here, a few holes, most notably the trying to carry the bunkers, any shot that challenges a right side hole you will want to come back. par-5 ninth, that can be very but at some risk. location had better be well struck, no In addition to golf, the local area daunting for all but the best A pair of short-ish par matter the yardage. also features outstanding fishing players if they try to play it 4s and a modest par-5 with a Like the eighth, the 17th is all carry opportunities, along with a variety of all the way back. large grass bunker off the tee over the marsh, with its appearance nature-oriented activities. Among Sapelo Hammock’s and a significantly sloping changing dramatically depending on the Mike Hardy, the President of the strengths is the spacing between tees, green provide some potential scoring tide. The marsh surrounds the large, Sapelo Hammock owners group, says he with the blues a very playable 6,373 and opportunities before you are introduced rolling green with a little room to miss and his fellow owners “see the course as the whites a comfortable 5,908. The to both the beauty and sometimes around the edges. Just having a birdie a spearhead to enhance economic devel - course is rated at 72.9/134 from the tips, beastly nature of marsh-side golf. putt is no guarantee of a par, with the opment in McIntosh County. It’s a labor 70.4/126 from the blues and 68.4/122 The eighth hole is an all-carry par 3 size and slope of the putting surface of love. from the whites, with the slope rating over the marsh, with the black, blue and making it among the most challenging “I think this is a wonderful model that from the blues and whites likely a bit on white tees all about 20 yards shorter on the course. other courses can use. Our debt is not the low side considering the amount of than they were initially, but still a serious The 18th was originally a short but that severe, and we are very proud of the trouble in play. challenge from each set. perilous par 5 and now is a little shorter concept.” The gold tees measure 5,344 yards, There is room to miss long beyond and easily within reach in two for most The owners group was hands on in with the reds right at 4,900. the shallow green, but anything short or low and mid-handicap players. There is the quick restoration of the course, For the most part, Sapelo Hammock right is in the marsh, with tall reeds plenty of trouble along the way, how - wielding chain saws to help clean up the is relatively generous off the tee. obscuring the view of the putting surface ever, beginning with live oaks just in property, which went untended for some However, the live oaks and pines are fre - and adding to the intimidating nature of front of the tee to the right. The marsh time. quently a serious concern, although they the tee shot. One of the state’s most hugs the left side and is very much in Hardy, a Griffin native, says the are also capable of re-directing errant appealing, but also most demanding, play on the lay-up for shorter hitters, impact of the re-opening of the course is shots back into play. While there are a par 3s. creeping in along the right and crossing already being felt, with a number of new G R E

decent number of water hazards, the The ninth requires a carry in the the fairway well short of the green, with houses built and others purchased out of B N I D

bunkering is minimal and the greens 240-yard range to clear the marsh and trees blocking access from the left. foreclosure. E V E T

complexes, with an exception or two, are reach the fairway from the tips. The It’s an inviting but potentially frus - “It’s not all about golf. This is a pretty S Y B S

on the gentle side. The excellent marsh is also very much in play down trating finishing hole that caps a special place.” E G A M

Bermuda putting surfaces are mostly the right side and live oak trees with thoroughly enjoyable and memorable I average to small in size, with sufficient overhanging moss loom to the left. Lay- day on a course that should be on the subtlety to perplex those more accus - up shots also have to navigate the marsh must play list for anyone making a tomed to bent grass greens. right and a tree left to set up a delicate golf trip to Savannah or the For information on Sapelo Hammock, The opening stretch of holes is rea - third shot to a small target. Jekyll/St. Simons area. call 912-832-4653, or visit sonably tame apart from a pair of Like the front nine, the early holes on Both Savannah and Brunswick www.sapelohammock.com. mid-length par 4s, one with water one the back are relatively inviting, although are less than an hour away, and the

6 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 Fricke edges Nagy for Georgia Open title on 18, winding up with a bogey and a 72 for a 2-under 286 total and 3rd place. Tour player scores first victory in 5 years Del Val, who won the Georgia Open at Savannah Harbor two years ago and also was a recent winner on the Peach By Mike Blum Fricke played respectably in his first ning at the second and Del Val State Tour, was 4th at 288, slipping to a Nationwide season, but was not exempt 3-over after three, Fricke and Nagy 74 the final day after three rounds of par t had been five years since in 2009 and lost his status at the end of moved to the front early without or better. Jonathan Fricke had won a tour - the year. He returned to the eGolf Tour doing much. Rookie pro Joe Young of Cochran was nament. But with the pressure on and enjoyed a strong season last year, Fricke birdied the par-4 sixth to take the 5th at 289, with defending champion Jay late in the final round of the 2012 notching five finishes of 7th or better to lead at 3-under, and added birdies at 9 and McLuen tying for 6th at 290 with low GIeorgia Open, Fricke end up 12th in earnings. 11 to open a three-stroke margin over amateur John Hopper of Eatonton. produced a series of Included among his Nagy, who made his move with birdies at McLuen birdied the last three holes clutch shots to pull out a best showings were several 14 and 16. Nagy chipped it close on the the final day for a closing 73, while victory. chances to win, and he par-5 14th and got up-and-down from a Hopper was one of three amateurs to close Fricke, who has spent said his inability to con - greenside bunker on the par-4 16th, which with a 69, the only sub-70 scores the most of his professional vert any of them into a was drivable after the tees were moved up fourth round. career playing on victory made his Georgia one set. Tying for 8th at 291 was two-time regional mini-tours, shot Open triumph that A three-putt bogey from long range Georgia Amateur champion David Noll a final round 70, his third much sweeter. at the par-3 12th dropped Fricke to and young tour players Billy Shida 4-under, but he regained control when he and Chris Wolfe , who are competing birdied the short but treacherous par-3 primarily on the NGA (formerly 15th, a hole very similar to No. 12 at Hooters) Tour. Augusta National. Hull shot 67 the second day to take a 3- Like Nagy, Fricke birdied the 16th from shot lead at 139 and was still tied for first a greenside bunker to push his lead back to after 54 holes despite a double bogey to two before missing a short but testy par end his third round. But after three excel - putt at the 17th after a nicely played pitch. lent days of putting on the Legends’ That forced Fricke to par the 18th for the outstanding but demanding greens, win, and he needed a deft chip to a few Hull struggled from the first hole in the feet after his second shot came up short. final round. After his approach to the 17th sailed His scorecard the final round included over the green, Fricke went down one club nine bogeys, almost all the product of for his approach to the 18th, and hit what missed par putts inside 10 feet, most from he thought was a tournament-clinching well inside that distance. He wound up shot. with a 79 and tied for 11th at 292, sharing Jonathan Fricke Matt Nagy “I called for it to be right when it low club professional honors with Coosa was in the air, and I was surprised when CC assistant Travis Nance , who birdied I didn’t hear any claps.” four of his last six holes for a final round 2-under score on the demanding Legends “Last year I played unbelievable, but I The shot came up a little short and 70, sandwiching a double bogey at the at Chateau Elan layout, to finish at couldn’t quite finish it off. This meant a right, but Fricke was left with a fairly 15th in between them. 5-under 283. He edged recent Kennesaw little more after last year.” straightforward chip, which he executed Hull, an assistant coach for the UGA State standout Matt Nagy by one, with The last time Fricke won, he shot superbly to keep from having a putt you women’s golf team last season, has taken the Georgia Open the first pro start for 19-under for three rounds and enjoyed don’t want to have with a tournament on the same position at Furman to work with Nagy other than a handful of small, one- a 3-stroke margin over his closest the line. former Georgia head coach Kelley day events. competitor. Fricke earned $6,000 for his victory in Hester, who has taken over at Furman. “It doesn’t get any better,” a beaming This time, Fricke was one of just three the tournament, which was presented by That may result in Hull having to Fricke said after his victory. “I haven’t had players to break par over 72 holes, and he Club Car. transfer from the Georgia to Carolinas this feeling in so long. To win close to needed two birdies and a clutch par save Nagy, who made a name for himself PGA Section. home in front of friends and family, this on his final four holes to preserve his when he qualified for the 2010 U.S. The Legends, which has hosted the is so special.” narrow victory. Open, said he will take away positives Georgia Open four times since 2002, won Fricke, a Snellville native now living in Fricke began the final round tied with from his near miss. the battle with the field, with some promi - Covington, played his college golf at 2007 Georgia Open champion Jeff Hull , “I left a lot of shots out there and I did nent players failing to make the 36-hole Georgia State and came close to victory in the only Georgia PGA member among not have my best game, but I scored well,” cut, which came at 8-over 152. the 2002 Georgia Amateur at Albany’s the leaders after 54 holes. Nagy and 2010 Nagy said. “I got up and down a lot.” Among those failing to make it to the Doublegate CC. Georgia Open winner Samuel Del Val Nagy closed with a 70 and was the only weekend were former champions Louis After completing his college career at were one shot behind the co-leaders, player in the field to shoot par or better Brown , Tim Weinhart and Jared Garrity , A G

Georgia State in 2004, Fricke turned pro along with mini-tour player Eddie Lee . each round, finishing at 4-under 284. Georgia PGA tournament winners Bill P A I G

and had some early highlights. He won Those five were the only players under Lee, who won a recent Peach State Tour Murchison , Greg Lee and Shawn Koch , R O E on the 2007 Tar Heel (now eGolf) Tour par after 54 holes, with that number event at Orchard Hills, joined the battle 2011 Georgia Open runner-up Rob G F O Y

and finished 8th on the money list. Later shrinking to three at the end of the tour - late in round with birdies at 14 and 15 and Bennett and former Atlanta Braves great S E T R

that year he reached the finals of PGA nament. a chip-in eagle at the 16th to get to John Smoltz , who posted top-30 finishes U O C S

Tour qualifying to earn a spot on the With Hull bogeying his first three holes, 3-under. He narrowly missed a birdie putt in the tournament each of the last E G A M 2008 Nationwide (now Web.com) Tour. Lee making three straight bogeys begin - at 17 and almost hit the pin with his chip two years. I

8 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 STAY | PLAY | MEET | UNWIND

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 Georgia PGA’s best shoot for major title Section Championship set for Sea Island GC

By Mike Blum Plantation plays to a par 72 and meas - That began a run of four straight Georgia PGA events this year. He tied for ures a little over 7,000 yards from the runner-up finishes on three different fourth at Plantation in ‘07. or the past decade, the state’s championship tees. The course consists courses in the Section Championship for Sonny Skinner , who has split his time top club professionals have of the original Plantation nine from the Keppler before back-to-back ties for this year between playing in Section taken turns winning the 1920s and Dick Wilson’s Retreat nine, third in 2009 and ‘10. Keppler collected events and on the Champions Tour, Georgia PGA Championship, which opened in 1960. Rees Jones com - his fourth Georgia PGA Championship won a weather-delayed Georgia PGA pFlayed annually at Sea Island Golf Club. bined the two in his re-design in 1998. title last year at Seaside, posting a Championship at Retreat in 2009. Nine different players have won the Long-time Sea island instructor Mike 6-under 204 total to finish two ahead Skinner has four top-5 finishes in the last nine years, with all of the Section’s Cook , who won the Georgia PGA of Towne Lake Hills assistant Bill event since he became eligible in 2006, elite players over the past decade among Championship in 1998, says Plantation Murchison . but missed the ‘07 tournament at the champions. “can be as tough to score on as Seaside,” The Section Championship will con - Plantation due to injury. Skinner played A glimpse of tournament results which plays to a par of 70 with just two clude a busy month for Murchison, who on the PGA Tour and the Hogan/ reveals the same group of players near the par 5s to Plantation’s four. began it with an appearance in the Buy.com/Nationwide Tour for some 15 top almost every year, with a new name Water is very much in play, impacting Georgia Open before traveling to the years before joining the Georgia PGA in appearing among the leaders in 2011 and more than half the holes, including three South Carolina coast to compete in the ‘06, capturing Player of the Year honors in another poised to join the exclusive list of the par 3s, described by Cook as PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. his first full season. this month. “tough” despite an absence of length on Murchison is one of a handful of Clark Spratlin , the head professional at The E-Z-GO Georgia PGA the three featuring carries over hazards. younger club professionals to challenge Currahee Club in Hartwell, won the Championship is scheduled for August Plantation is a little tighter than the Georgia PGA’s veteran contingent in Section Championship by three shots over 27-29, and will be played on the Seaside, with tree lines and fairway recent years. He won last year’s Keppler in 2008, and has been in the top Plantation Course, just the second time bunkers more of a factor. Cook says the Championship at Berkeley Hills, quali - 10 in the event every year since ‘06. He the event has been played on Seaside’s layout requires accuracy more than fied for the Nationwide Tour Stadion was sixth at Plantation in ‘07 and fourth sister course. Seaside, with the avoidance of trouble Classic at UGA and just missed the cut, last year at Seaside. Since 2004, the tournament has alter - more a concern on Plantation. and recorded a top 10 finish in the PGA Peterson scored his first win in the nated between Seaside and Retreat, Three of the par 5s also have hazards PNC to earn his spot in the field at Section at Plantation, and earned Player which is located across the street from in play, with two featuring risk/reward Kiawah’s Ocean Course. of the Year honors the next year. A veteran the other two Sea Island GC layouts and second shots, including the picturesque David Potts , an instructor at CC of the tour player before joining the Georgia does not border on the ocean, as Seaside but potentially penal 18th. South, has two Georgia PGA victories this PGA, Peterson is one of just two current and Plantation do. The well-protected greens are a little year, and tied for sixth in the Section Georgia PGA members to win all four of Seaside is the primary tournament smaller and gentler than on Seaside, but Championship at the Retreat Course two the Section’s majors. (Weinhart is the course, hosting the PGA Tour will still provide a serious test during the years ago. other.) He won the Georgia Open title as McGladrey Classic and the SEC tournament. Murchison and Potts head the list of a young mini-tour player in 1993, shortly Championship among other events. The Section Championship was Georgia PGA members looking to win before his first season on the Nike Tour. played at Plantation in 2007, with UGA the Section Championship for the first Chicopee Woods assistant Greg Lee head professional Matt Peterson win - time. The roster of recent champions in edged Keppler by one shot in 2006 at Matt Peterson ning by four strokes with a 10-under 206 the event includes all of the Section’s most Retreat, two years after losing to Jeff total. Peterson trailed by three strokes prominent players over the past decade. Hull , also at Retreat, by one stroke. Lee going to the final round, but fired a 66 to Keppler and Weinhart have 11 Player of was sixth or better in the Section pull away from the field. the Year titles among them, with Championship four times between 2003 Finishing tied for second at 210 was Weinhart’s seven from 2002-05 and each and ‘09, with Hull eighth or better each Marietta CC Director of Golf Stephen of the last three years. His seven-shot win of the last four years. Lee’s five Section Keppler , who has compiled a remark - at Seaside in ‘05 is his lone Georgia PGA victories include the Match Play ably consistent and successful record in Championship victory, but he also has five Championship and Atlanta Open, with the tournament in recent years. other finishes of fourth or better, placing Hull winning six times, highlighted by Keppler won the tournament three third and second the last two years. the Georgia Open in 2007, when he times between 1990 and ‘96. But after a Weinhart, an instructor with the earned Player of the Year honors. tie for third in ‘97, was mostly absent Nuclear Golf program based at the Prior to the Hull’s win in 2004, the from the leader board until 2005, when Standard Club, did not play well when Georgia PGA Championship largely he finished a distant second, seven the Section Championship was played at belonged to Keppler from 1990 to 1996, strokes behind Tim Weinhart . Plantation in ‘07, the only time in the past and to James Mason and Chan Reeves decade he has been outside the top 10. from ‘97 to 2003. Brookstone CC instructor Craig Mason won in ‘97, ‘99 and 2000 Stevens has won on both Seaside (2001) before winning on the Senior PGA Tour and Retreat (2010) and has finished sev - in 2001. Reeves scored back-to-back 15 years later After winning his third Georgia enth or better every year in the victories at Seaside in 2002 and ‘03 after PGA Championship in 1996, Stephen Keppler tournament since 1998. Stevens, a two- losing by a shot to Stevens in ‘01. time Player of the Year, has four The other winner during that stretch picked up his fourth title in the event last year runner-up finishes in the tournament and was Cook, who edged Hull by a shot in already has four second place showings in ‘98 at Retreat.

10 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 Keppler captures Berkeley Hills title Second Georgia PGA win since turning 50

By Mike Blum this year. He rallied with a 69 the second By the time he made the turn, Stevens of late, partly because his teen-aged son day at Griffin CC to tie for ninth, was had pulled within one of the lead after Jonathan has developed into one of the fter earning four straight third in the Georgia Senior Open after a playing his first 11 holes in 6-under. state’s top junior players and is able to Georgia PGA Player of the final round 66, and was just one stroke Keppler slipped in a short but ticklish compete in events along with his father, Year honors in the 1990s, out of a playoff in the Atlanta Open, the birdie putt at the 10th and followed by as he did in the Atlanta Open and Stephen Keppler suddenly lone Georgia PGA major he hasn’t won. holing a slick downhiller at the 11th that Championship at Berkeley Hills. qAuit winning. Keppler, the Director of Golf at may have been the toughest putt he faced “It’s nice to come out and play in an Following a victory in the Section’s Marietta CC, came roaring out of the all day. event when Jonathan is playing,” Keppler qualifier for the national club profes - starting gates in the opening round, That made Keppler’s lead a little more said. “I’m not practicing any more than I sional championship in 1998, Keppler carding birdies on four of the first seven comfortable, and he added a clinching did before, but this year I’ve shot some won exactly once in the next dozen years. holes. He rolled in a putt of some 25 feet birdie at the 15th after another precise G

He continued to contend in Georgia for birdie on the second hole, scored an wedge shot. Keppler led by E O R G

PGA events, especially the Section easy birdie on the par-5 third and holed three heading to the final I A P G

Championship and Griffin Classic. But a 20-footer from the fringe for a third hole, and was able to sur - A his lone title came in the final Eddie straight birdie at the fourth. He added a vive his lone bogey of the Wiggins Classic at Landings GC in second birdie on a par 5 at the seventh day following a poor Warner Robins in 2004. before suffering his lone bogey of the day drive. Another excellent That changed last year when Keppler when he missed the green on the par-3 wedge shot gave Keppler a captured his fourth Georgia PGA eighth. chance to save par, but as Championship at Sea Island GC. After a birdie on the short par-5 10th, he did on so many birdie Keppler had placed second or third in Keppler chipped in on the 11th, holed attempts on the day, his the event six straight years prior to his another putt from the fringe on 14 and putt just missed. victory, which came in the same year in picked up his fourth par-5 birdie of the “Other than the last which he turned 50. day at 15. He closed out his round with drive, I hit it better today “I’ve been playing well even when I’m not playing much.” —Stephen Keppler

Keppler scored his second Georgia a 12-footer for birdie at 18th, marking than yesterday,” said Keppler, PGA victory in a non-senior event since the first time anyone had shot 64 at who collected $2,500 for his turning 50, winning the recent Berkeley Hills in a tournament. victory. “I didn’t putt like I did eppler Championship at Berkeley Hills. “Sixty four sounds a whole lot better yesterday, but that’s OK. I’m Stephen K Keppler led a 1-2-3 finish by the than 65,” said Keppler, who had shot happy with the way I hit it.” Section’s trio of outstanding seniors. 62 and 63 in tournaments earlier in Keppler was the Section’s Craig Stevens was second, his fourth his career. dominant player for much of the pretty good scores. I’ve been playing well runner-up showing of 2012, with Sonny The 64 gave Keppler a three-stroke 1990s. He won the Georgia PGA even when I’m not playing much.” Skinner tying for third. lead over Rhatigan, and a spot in the Championship three times, the Georgia Keppler still has no desire to take a Starting in the second group off the final group off the tee in the second Open and Match Play Championship shot at the Champions Tour, but would first tee in the opening round, Keppler round. twice each. He also won tournaments in like to get back to competing at the shot a competitive course record of Keppler says he stuck to “the old cliché Perry and Griffin, playing the last 10 national level in PGA events, with the 8-under 64 on the relatively short but of playing one shot at a time. I wanted to holes of his first round in 10-under on Senior PNC and Senior PGA beckoning. testy Berkeley Hills layout. He played shoot under par because I didn’t think 8- the way to a 62 in the latter. Keppler played in the PGA equally as well from tee to green the next under would win it. I knew I had to Then there was his week to remember Championship four times, including day, closing with a 69 for an 11-under make a birdie here or there.” in the 1995 BellSouth Classic, when he 2001 at Atlanta Athletic Club where he 133 total. The first birdie for Keppler again came finished third in the best effort by a club just missed the cut. Stevens fired a second round 65 for a early in the round, as he struck his professional in the modern history of the “I think I can still do it,” he says, “if I 135 total, with Skinner shooting 68-69 approach on the second within a few feet PGA Tour. play like this.” to tie for third at 137 with amateur of the cup. But that was it for the front But after a win in the CPC qualifier at Keppler is not the only 50-something Shane Rhatigan , a Berkeley Hills nine despite a succession of short birdie his former home club (Summit Chase) in Georgia PGA member who is playing member. Bubba Gwyn , also a Berkeley opportunities. He admitted he was “a 1998, Keppler won just once over the some outstanding golf. Hills member, matched Stevens’ second little disheartened” after watching a next 13 years before the 2011 Section Stevens, an instructor at Brookstone round 65 to tie for fifth at 140 series of short birdie putts just miss, but Championship. For much of that stretch, CC, reached the finals of the Georgia with Jason Smith , an assistant pro at did not let it affect his play. Keppler played lighter tournament PGA Match Play Championship, was Berkeley Hills. “I just wanted to keep doing what schedules due to family and club second by one shot in both the Griffin Other than a poor first round in the I was doing, and eventually one obligations. Griffin Classic, Keppler had played well would drop.” Keppler has been playing a little more [ See Keppler, page 29 ]

12 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 Woods back on top in FedExCup title chase S T E

Two-time champion aims for East Lake return V E D I N B E R G

By Mike Blum regular season carry over into the one stroke) to win The Playoffs, where the points are multiplied Barclays and vault all the way he 2012 FedExCup Playoffs by five over the regular season (500 to 3rd on the points list. begin this month with the points for a regular season tournament Slocum finds himself in a first of three tournaments, winner, 2,500 for the Playoffs). similar situation this year at leading up to the Tour The top 125 players on the points list 126 in the standings going to CThampionship at East Lake Sept. 20-23. after the PGA Tour stop in Greensboro the PGA. He was one of six After being sidetracked in 2010 and in mid-August qualify for The Barclays, players with Georgia ties hov - ‘11 by a combination of scandal, injury with the fields reduced to 100 for the ering around the top 125, with and sub-standard play, Tiger Woods is Deutsche Bank and 70 for the BMW Jason Bohn , Vaughn Taylor , back in his accustomed position atop Championship. Typically, no more than Erik Compton and Stewart the FedExCup standings, and is assured a handful of players from outside the top Cink between 121 and 131. s of making his first start at East Lake 30 after the regular season will make it to Other players of note Tiger Wood since 2009. East Lake, with the leading regular outside the top 125 included Woods won the FedExCup title in season finishers all but assured spots in Tim Clark , 2008 Tour 2007, the first year it was added to the the Tour Championship. Championship winner Camilo PGA Tour schedule, and again in ‘09. With just two events remaining on the Villegas , Y.E. Yang , Stuart Appleby , That was due in part to the dominance Vijay Singh was the ‘08 FedExCup regular season schedule, the only players 2004 Tour Championship winner Retief of Woods in ‘07 and ‘09 and Singh in champion, with the PGA Tour making close to Woods in the standings were St. Goosen , Justin Leonard and Angel ‘08, with the decision to delay the reset some changes to the points allocation Simons Island resident Zach Johnson Cabrera . of points until after the third Playoffs after its first two years ended with the and Jason Dufner , who lost in a playoff With three victories this season – two event ensuring that the Tour Tour Championship having little or no in last year’s PGA Championship at on courses where he’s won multiple times Championship would determine the impact on the eventual champion. Atlanta Athletic Club. (Bay Hill and Muirfield Village) and the FedExCup champion. The last two years produced ample The PGA Championship is one of two other in a tournament he hosts (AT&T Only four players have multiple victo - amounts of drama, as Jim Furyk won events left on the FedExCup schedule, National at Congressional) – Woods has ries this season, with Zach Johnson, both the Tour Championship and and a few other players were within re-established himself as one of the Dufner and Mahan collecting two wins FedExCup in 2010, with Bill Haas range of Woods if they were to win it, game’s elite players. each to join Woods in that category. The repeating that feat in memorable fashion among them Hunter Mahan and A disappointing showing in the first three majors produced three dif - last year. Masters champion Bubba Watson . Masters and poor weekend efforts in the ferent champions, running that streak to Woods is in position to be ranked Matt Kuchar , also a St. Simons resi - U.S. and British Opens have taken a bit 16 in a row, and the list of PGA Tour No. 1 in the standings when the dent, was 6th in the standings after a of the tarnish off Woods’ otherwise glit - winners includes names both familiar FedExCup Playoffs begin Aug. 23-26 near miss in 2010, with 2011 PGA tering comeback. But his return to the (Stricker, Brandt Snedeker , Mickelson, with The Barclays at Bethpage Black, the champion Keegan Bradley 7th after his top of the World Rankings has energized Haas, McIlroy, Justin Rose , Luke host course of the 2002 and ‘09 U.S. WGC Bridgestone win. Rory McIlroy a sport that many feel is largely reliant on Donald , Rickie Fowler , Kuchar and Open. was 8th, British Open champion Ernie Woods to create some buzz. Dustin Johnson ) and unfamiliar The Playoffs return to Boston the Els 10th and U.S. Open champion Woods will begin the Playoffs either (Kyle Stanley , Marc Leishman and following week for its annual Labor Webb Simpson 11th. Two-time Tour first in the standings or very close to the Ted Potter ). Day finish in the Deutsche Bank Championship winner Phil Mickelson top spot. But the last two players to end Adding to the pressure of the Playoffs Championship, with the BMW was 13th. the regular season at No. 1 (Els in 2010, is the battle for the four wild card picks Championship being played at Crooked With the regular season nearing its Nick Watney last year) both struggled in which will be made by U.S. Ryder Cup Stick, the site of John Daly’s remarkable conclusion, much of the focus is on the the Playoffs and slipped to 9th on the captain Davis Love . Going into the PGA Championship victory in 1991. players battling to move inside the top final list. Bridgestone Invitational, the eight auto - After a week off, the top 30 players in 125 on the points list and secure a spot Furyk was 3rd at the end of the regular matic qualifiers were Woods, Dufner, the FedExCup standings will gather in in The Barclays. season in 2010, needing to win at East Watson, Bradley, Simpson, Zach Atlanta for the Tour Championship, Three years ago, Alpharetta resident Lake to edge out Kuchar, who moved up Johnson, Kuchar and Mickelson, leaving looking to take home first place money Heath Slocum narrowly qualified for the from 9th to take the FedExCup lead after Love with five to eight contenders for his of $1,440,000, along with the $10 mil - Playoffs, ending the regular season 124 a victory in The Barclays. four picks. lion bonus for finishing the year at the in the standings. Slocum proceeded to Haas came all the way from 15th at Mahan, Stricker, Furyk and Fowler, top of the standings. outduel the likes of Woods, Els, Steve the end of the regular season to win the were 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the standings, The points the players earn during the Stricker and Padraig Harrington (all by FedExCup last year, with Simpson with Dustin Johnson 14th. Snedeker, Bo moving up from 3rd with a victory in Van Pelt and Haas were also contenders, Boston before he faltered at East Lake but Love would have to leave off at least and was overtaken by Haas. two of the five “name” players outside Cink or swim Duluth’s Stewart Cink was just It took the PGA Tour a few years to the top 8 to add one of the latter trio. outside the top 125 in FedExCup points coming refine the FedExCup’s points allocation The Ryder Cup will be played at and reset format after the first three sea - Medinah the week after the Tour into the PGA Championship and in danger of sons produced little of the excitement Championship, with the Tour missing the Playoffs expected when the new system was Championship qualifiers facing a fifth installed. high profile event in six weeks.

14 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 &KDOOHQJLQJ $IIRUGDEOH

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Johnson returns home to score satisfying win Takes John Deere with clutch shot in playoff

By Mike Blum 11th in the World Rankings after his worked his way up win in the John Deere. from the Prairie Tour here aren’t many more special “This year seems arguably the most to the Hooters Tour experiences for a tour pro consistent thus far. ‘09 (two wins, nine to the Nationwide than winning a tournament 9 top 10s, 4th in earnings) was really Tour. He won three close to home in front of good. There was a lot of consistency times in two years on fTriends and family. there, too. I’m putting myself in a the Prairie Tour, and Zach Johnson was able to do that position to be in contention in four times in his two recently, capturing the John Deere tournaments.” seasons on the Hooters Classic not far from where he grew up With two wins this year, Johnson Tour, including a stretch in Iowa, where much of his family stood fifth on the Ryder Cup points list of three victories in consecu - still reside. as of mid-July, moving up to from tive events in 2001, when he Johnson has since moved to St. eighth the week before the John Deere. earned Player of the Year honors. Simons Island and has become a signifi - The top eight after the PGA After an unsuccessful rookie cant member of the golf community Championship will qualify, with fellow season in 2000 on what was then there. But Iowa is still home for him. St. Simons resident Davis Love making known as the Buy.com Tour, Johnson Johnson gave the local fans something to four captain’s selections. returned in ‘03 and enjoyed one of the remember, hitting what will certainly go With Hunter Mahan , Rickie Fowler , most successful years in Nationwide down as one of the most memorable Steve Stricker , Dustin Johnson and Tour history, scoring two wins among shots of the year to win the John Deere Jim Furyk currently between 9th and nine top-3 finishes to easily capture Classic in a playoff. 14th in the standings, at least one Player of the Year honors. “I don’t really like making things a player of major stature is going to be “When you’re playing the mini-tours, bigger deal than what they should be,” left off the team. Johnson’s win got you obviously have an aspiration and a Johnson said after his victory. “It means him off the bubble and in position to goal to be out here,” he said after his win a great deal now that I’ve done it. I can’t make the U.S. Ryder Cup team for the in the John Deere. “If you don’t, you’ll really put it into words. The tournament third time. get passed by. I still have friends of mine has meant so much to me and my family “It’s a goal at the beginning of the that are out there that are good enough over the years. season. It always is because I’ve played in to play out here.” Zach Johnson “It was a hypothetical in previous days two and they’re tremendous. They’re Much of Johnson’s early success as a because I’ve never experienced this. I am some of the most fun and gut wrenching tour player came in Georgia. While on

“I’m really going to enjoy this one at the TPC Deere Run course, coming from four back after 54 holes to force a playoff. Johnson birdied six of his last because this is extremely special.” 12 holes to take a late two-shot lead, but —Iowa native Zach Johnson on his John Deere Classic victory Matteson holed a long eagle putt on the 17th to send the tournament to extra holes. really going to enjoy this one because tournaments you can play in. I love that. the Hooters Tour in ‘02, he played his After both players hit their second this is supremely special.” “Knowing Davis Love is our captain, way into the BellSouth Classic in a shots in the water left of the 18th green After some disappointing results in his it’s a huge priority. I just want to keep Monday qualifier and narrowly missed a to make double bogeys on the first early appearances in the tournament, doing what I’m doing. There is a lot of top-10 finish in just his second PGA playoff hole, Johnson hit his tee shot on which is played in the Quad Cities area great American golf going on right now.” Tour start, tying for 17th after a late slip the second extra hole into the same near the Iowa/Illinois border, Johnson Johnson flew across the Atlantic in the final round. fairway bunker at the 18th. This time, tied for second in 2009 and was T3 last Ocean immediately after his victory and Two years later, Johnson scored his he fired a 6-iron within a foot of the cup year behind Steve Stricker , whose three- recorded a top-10 finish in the first PGA Tour win in Atlanta as a for a tap-in birdie and the victory. year winning streak in the event was British Open despite a disappointing rookie, and swept Georgia’s two “It’s one of the best results of my snapped last month. final round. Spring events in ‘07, following up his career,” Johnson said of his winning Johnson’s victory was his second in Unlike many of the players who will Masters victory with a second win at shot. “When it comes to execution, it’s 2012 to go along with a pair of runner- join him on the Ryder Cup team, TPC Sugarloaf. Since then, Johnson has up there. It’s probably way up there. I’ve up finishes. He was second in the Johnson was not a highly touted done most of his celebrations in Texas, had some Ryder Cup shots that I would Heritage, tied for second in the Players prospect as a youngster. He was unable winning the Texas Open and Colonial say would be parallel to that.” and won at Colonial for the second time to earn a scholarship offer from the U. of twice each, with his recent triumph in Johnson would like to add another in three years. Johnson now has nine Iowa, playing his college golf with little the John Deere his ninth PGA shot like that to his personal highlight wins in his nine seasons on the PGA fanfare at Drake University. Tour title. reel when the Ryder Cup is played next Tour and has established himself as one Johnson’s early years as a pro were Johnson battled former Georgia Tech month at Medinah. of the best in the game, moving up to spent on various mini-tours, as he golfer Troy Matteson down the stretch

16 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 A GREAT WHITE SHARK HAS BEEN SPOTTED IN THE EXUMAS

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 Claxton closing in on PGA Tour berth in 2013 Veteran tour pro looks for another shot at age 44

By Mike Blum challenge on his career best showing and venues the Nationwide Tour on an seasons. With the players from Q-school earn a fifth season on the PGA Tour annual basis. and the Nationwide Tour being “re-shuf - t the age of 44, Paul Claxton in 2013. Claxton made his debut on what was fled” at the conclusion of the West Coast is headed toward one of his “It’s been a good year,” Claxton said then known as the Nike Tour in the swing, Claxton has typically found him - best seasons in two decades as during the Nationwide Tour’s stop in Spring of 1994 in Macon, and joined the self near the bottom of the list at that a tour pro. Athens, admitting that he did not have a tour full time in ‘95. He has played point, limiting his access to tournaments AClaxton, a veteran of 18 seasons on the ready explanation for his fast start. either the Nike/Buy.com/Nationwide for the rest of the season. PGA and Nationwide Tours, was inside “I don’t know. It’s hard to say. We Tour or the PGA Tour ever since, com - The West Coast events Claxton has the top 15 on the Web.com (formerly played a couple of courses early that peting on the PGA Tour in 1997, 2002, played in (other than the Hawaiian Nationwide) Tour money list as of early really fit my game, and I played well in ‘05 and ‘08. Open) also tend to favor power hitters, August, and is looking for a fifth shot at Chile and Lafayette.” While Claxton has been a consistently which Claxton isn’t, and don’t play on the PGA Tour in 2013. The Nationwide Tour visited Chile for successful performer on the Nationwide the Bermuda grass he grew up on, The Vidalia native and long time St. the first time this year and Claxton Tour since his rookie season in 1995, he making it even more difficult for him to Simons Island resident has made a nice placed 3rd behind tour rookie Paul has not been able to transfer his solid get his season off to a successful start. living since graduating from the U. of Haley , a 2011 Georgia Tech graduate. track record to the PGA Tour. “That’s something I’ve been unable to Georgia in 1992 with a degree in Two weeks later, Claxton tied for 2nd in In his four seasons in golf’s major overcome,” Claxton says. “That’s been Business, but has a little unfinished busi - the Louisiana Open, one of the longest leagues, Claxton has never finished my biggest hurdle.” ness left in his golf career. running events on the tour and the site higher than 177th on the money list, Despite (or possibly because of) his Claxton has been one of the most con - of the first of Claxton’s two Nationwide failing to crack the top 200 the last time struggles in his first attempts on the PGA sistent performers in Nationwide Tour Tour titles in 2001. he played there. Tour, Claxton says, “I still want to prove history, ranking second on the tour’s “I’ve won and lost playoffs in the tour - Claxton has been frustrated by his myself at that level. I’ve been successful career money list behind Darren Stiles . nament,” Claxton recalls, with his struggles on the PGA Tour, but is at every level except that one.” Only once in his 13 seasons on the tour playoff loss coming in 2007, when he looking forward to the opportunity to Claxton says the combination of the has he placed lower than 61st on the picked up his second tour title in take what could be his last shot at suc - length of many of the courses the Tour money list, with his best finish coming in Maryland. ceeding at golf’s highest level. plays plus the depth of talent has made it 2007, when he was 10th in earnings. “I’ve done pretty well there,” Claxton “That’s definitely what we’re all trying hard for him to achieve the same level of With consecutive finishes of 3rd and says of the course in Lafayette, some - to do,” he says of the shared hopes of the success he has on the Nationwide Tour. 2nd in Nationwide Tour events earlier thing he can say about a number of the Web.com Tour players about moving up But that hasn’t deterred him after he’s this season, Claxton is in position to to the PGA Tour. “I feel like I’ve got returned to the Nationwide Tour, some good golf left in me. although he enjoyed one of his least “I’m not feeling my age. That’s just a productive seasons in ‘09, coming off number. I just enjoy playing. That’s the his poorest PGA Tour showing the only thing I’ve ever done. I don’t know previous year. what else I’d do. I’ll just keep doing this Claxton bounced back with solid sea - as long as I enjoy it and my wife allows sons in both 2010 and ‘11, and is off to me to.” one of his best ever starts this year, giving Claxton’s game has changed little over him an excellent opportunity of earning the years, fitting the definition of the a fifth PGA Tour season in 2013. term “grinder” used to describe players Recently, Claxton made a brief return who do not bomb drives of well over 300 to golf’s major leagues, qualifying for the yards or hole putts from distant points U.S. Open. But he was unable to make on greens. the cut at the Olympic Club, returning The 44-year-old Claxton is straight off to the Nationwide Tour, where he made the tee (9th in driving accuracy last year), 10 of his first 11 cuts and finished 16th a solid iron player (19th in greens in reg - or better five times. ulation this year) and holes his share of Claxton has been a fixture on the putts (15th in the primary putting stat Georgia golf scene for the past 25 years, last year). He isn’t a big hitter, but aver - starring on the UGA golf team in the late A

T aging around 285 yards off the tee still ‘80s and early ‘90s before winning the S I

O xton O ul Cla K Pa gives him the chance to reach the occa - Georgia Amateur at Athens CC in 1992 L A sional par 5 in two. shortly before turning professional. Claxton’s game has served him well After a brief but successful run on during his years on the Nationwide Tour, regional mini-tours, Claxton became a Money man Paul Claxton, who has spent most but hasn’t transferred quite as well to the full time Nike Tour player in ‘95 and has of his career on what is now the Web.com Tour, PGA Tour, the West Coast in particular. been plying his trade ever since with a The PGA Tour spends the first two smile, a pronounced Southern drawl and is second on the tour’s career money list, just months of the season in Hawaii, a positive attitude that has enabled him $25,000 behind the leader California and Arizona, and Claxton has to take the ups and downs of life as a tour enjoyed little early success in his four pro in stride.

18 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 Dibos takes LPGA Legends Atlanta Pro-Am CC of Roswell hosted inaugural event

By Mike Blum area community. Since leaving the LPGA Tour in Among the LPGA Legends competing 2002, Dibos has worked at the famed he Legends Tour includes were Amy Alcott , Pat Bradley , Beth Winged Foot Golf Club in suburban some of the most prominent Daniel , Nancy Lopez , Hollis Stacy , Jan New York, and is the club’s Director of names in LPGA history, but Stephenson and Atlanta resident Rosie Instruction. T not all the players competing Jones , who helped organize the tourna - Dibos would be hard pressed to com - on the women’s version of the ment and also served as host. pete in a tournament played on a more Champions Tour fit the tour’s title. But it was Dibos who came away with demanding course than the one where Alicia Dibos was a successful LPGA the winner’s check of $15,000, carding a she works. player for a decade, but never made it 3-under 68 at the relatively short but “If you can play good at Winged Foot, ibos into the winner’s circle, coming closest in testy Country Club of Roswell layout. you can play anywhere in the world,” she Alicia D a playoff loss in Dayton during her Dibos finished one stroke ahead of offered, but did not minimize the chal - second season on tour. Sherri Steinhauer , who played on the lenge posed by the Country Club of Since becoming eligible for the LPGA Tour until last year and won mul - Roswell’s layout. bounds stakes. Legends Tour, Dibos has posted a tiple major titles during her career. Jones “This is not an easy course,” she said Starting on one of the more dangerous number of top finishes before ending her was third at 1-under 70, with Daniel after her victory. “It has narrow landing holes on the course – the short but haz - winless status in the U.S. with a victory fourth at 71. areas you have to pay attention to and it ardous 10th, Dibos opened her round in the recent Atlanta Pro-Am, played at Rachel Rohanna of Ohio State, Jones’ has something you don’t see at Winged with a birdie, but gave a shot back with a Country Club of Roswell. alma mater, won the college division Foot – water hazards. It’s somewhat bogey at the par-5 13th. She turned in 2- The tournament was played in con - with scores of 70-73-70 for an even par intimidating visually. under after birdies at 14, one of the junction with the Judson Collegiate 213 total. Tying for second at 218 were “I’m not used to that.” toughest holes on the course, and the Invitational, a first year event created to Troy’s Langley Vannoy and Nebraska’s Dibos kept it out of Country Club of downhill par-5 18th. honor the memory of Jim and Beth Maddie Shields , whose final round 69 Roswell’s abundance of hazards, and Judson, who were a big part of Atlanta was low for the tournament. avoided crossing any of the out of the [ See Dibos, page 29 ]

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 Knox claims second Georgia Amateur title College golfer edges veteran Noll by 1 shot

By Mike Blum will be in the lineup next year,” Knox 70 to take a two-stroke lead over said after his recent victory. “I’m looking Dunwoody’s Matt Russell after 54 holes or the second time in three forward to next year, but I know it will at 7-under 209. years, Augusta’s Lee Knox be hard.” Russell, who won the Atlanta ended up in first place in the Knox has continued the family tradi - Open back-to-back in 1996 and

Georgia Amateur, but this time tion of success in GSGA events. His ‘97, the latter as a young profes - G S G hFe took a different route. father Jeff Knox is one of the state’s top sional, has returned to A In 2010, Knox was two strokes off the mid-amateur players, owning two state competitive golf after lead after 54 holes at The Landings in Mid-Amateur titles and frequently con - regaining his amateur status. Savannah, closing with a 3-under 69 to tending in the GSGA Championship. He settled for a 75 the final edge fellow Augustan Chase Parker by Two years ago, father and son were round after a 69 the previous one shot and third round leader Doug paired together in the final round at The day and tied Garretson for Hanzel by two. Landings, with Jeff’s game suffering a bit third at 285. This time, Knox held the lead going to the final round day as he watched his son With back-to-back birdies the final round and held on despite a win the event for the first time. Dad got at holes 3 and 4, Knox moved “I learned a lot playing with (David) Noll last year and I took that this year” —2012 Georgia Amateur champion Lee Knox 1-over 73 at Ansley Golf Club’s to watch again this year, as a poor first to 9-under, with Russell matching Settindown Creek. He finished with a round resulted in his missing the cut, a his birdie at the par-5 fourth to stay 6-under 282 total, one ahead of defending rarity for a three-time runner-up in the within three of the lead. Playing in champion David Noll of Dalton. Georgia Amateur, including the last time the group in front of the leaders, Knox’s victory continued the domi - the tournament was played at Noll eagled the fourth after a huge Lee Knox nance of the state’s college players over Settindown Creek. drive and turned in 4-under 32 to the past decade in the Georgia State Golf “It feels great,” the younger Knox said close within three of the lead. Association’s championship event. after his hard-earned victory. “This was Noll, who shot a third round 69 to save his bogey after coming up well short Since Noll won the first of his two the first time I’ve led going to the final move into contention, reached the par-5 with his pitch shot. Georgia Amateur titles in 2003, college round of a big tournament like this, and 10th in two for birdie, and was suddenly “That was the putt of the tourna - players have won seven of the last nine, I’m one-for-one.” only one back when Knox’s third shot ment,” said Knox, who missed a putt of with Knox joining former Georgia Knox was in position for three straight settled in rough just over the green and similar length for birdie at the 16th that Bulldog Russell Henley of Macon as a wins, as he played in the final group last he made bogey. would have made the bogey putt at 17 a two-time champion. year with Noll at Cherokee Town & CC. Knox went from fairway bunker to little less stressful. Knox, who will be a senior on the golf He began the final three behind Noll but water on the 11th for bogey, but Noll Another well-struck approach shot to team at Alabama this Fall, is the lone never seriously threatened, shooting 75 bogeyed the long par-3 12th to remain the 18th locked up the win for Knox, non-Bulldog among the group of college to fall to a tie for ninth while Noll fired one off the lead. who easily two-putted for a par. champions, joining Tifton’s David a 66 to win by four. The tournament turned just before a Only six players matched or broke par Denham (2004), Savannah’s Brian “I learned a lot playing with Noll brief suspension of play when Noll’s tee for the week, with Marietta’s David Harman (2005), Thomasville’s Harris last year,” Knox said, “and I took that shot on the 14th missed the fairway to Yowell tying for third at 285 and Athens’ English ( 2007) and Henley (2008-09). this year.” the right, landed on the cart path and Chris Waters sixth at 287. Yowell, who English, who captured his title at Knox held the first round lead last year bounded into thick trees. After a stroke will attend Clemson this Fall but not on Settindown Creek, and Harman are at Cherokee with a 67, and opened with and distance penalty for a lost ball, he a golf scholarship, had 16 pars and two rookies on the PGA Tour, with Henley a a 69 at Settindown Creek to share first needed a deft chip to save double bogey, birdies the final day for a 70 and made member of Web.com (formerly place with Savannah’s Scott Weeks and but came right back with a birdie at 15 to just two bogeys and a double bogey over Nationwide) Tour. Atlanta’s Robert Sheats , who tied for stay in the hunt. the final 54 holes. Unlike his Bulldog counterparts, Knox second with Knox’s dad at Settindown in Noll shot a second straight 69 for his There were only nine scores in the 60s has had to battle to earn a starting spot ‘07. Weeks wound up seventh at 289, third runner-up finish in the tournament in the tournament, with Garretson and on Alabama’s team, which lost in the with Sheats T8 at 290. since 2005. Ridge Purcell of LaGrange both finals of the 2012 NCAA Championship Acworth’s Michael Garretson , who Knox bogeyed the 14th but also shooting 68 in the second round. Purcell to Texas. Alabama loses only one of its plays on the golf team at South Alabama, rebounded with a birdie at 15 after a tied Sheets for eighth at 290, with Wake five starters, with Knox hoping to move shot 68 the second day to take the lead superb approach to stay two ahead. He Forest golfer Charlie Harrison of into the lineup for his final season in by one over Knox at 138. While gave Noll some hope when he bogeyed Atlanta 10th at 291. Tuscaloosa. Garretson fell back in the third round the par-3 17th after missing the green “If I can play like this, I’m confident I with a 75, Knox carded a second straight long and left, needing a testy 6-footer to

22 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 2XW KHUH WKH ELJJHVW KDQGLFDS LV NHHSLQJ \RXU KHDG GRZQ

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 23 U U S S G G A A Golf FORE Juniors

Jefferson at 138. Budd, Roop win Ethan Mangum of Atlanta shot 54-79— 133 to place 1st in 11-13, followed by East Lake event Andrew Lafferty of Milton at 135 and Phil In a Georgia PGA Junior Tour event Jones of Alpharetta at 139. played on both the East Lake and Charlie Roop shot 64-77—141 to take the girls Yates courses, Nicholas Budd of 11-14 and overall titles, with Margaret Nicholas Budd Claire Roop Woodstock and Claire Roop of Canton Ashmore of Kingston the 15-18 winner at won the boys and girls divisions, both from 152. Abigail Bolt of Woodstock was 2nd younger age groups. overall at 149. Girls winners were Meredith Owen of were Roop, Sydney Weaver of Columbus Budd shot 59 on the par-58 Charlie Yates At the UGA course in Athens: Will Duma Madison (81-72—153) in 15-18 and Min and Kayla Chapman of Bremen, with course and even par 72 on East Lake to of Atlanta also won the boys division from Jim Kim of Cumming (164) in 11-14. Weaver and Chapman tying in the 15-18 finish at 131. He won the age 14-15 division the 14-15 age group, shooting 73-68 for a In a one-day, Summer Series event at the age group. by five shots over Connor Dickinson of 1-under 141 total. S.M. Lee of Buford was Legends at Chateau Elan: Joey Dando of Patrick Kendrick of Snellville shot 72 at Snellville, with Ben Huckaby of Bishop and 2nd at 146, with Spencer Ralston of Buford shot 77 to win boys 16-18 by two TPC Sugarloaf to win the boys division of Kevin Jackson of Atlanta 3rd at 138. Gainesville 3rd in the age group at 149. over Nicholas Vogel of Woodstock and the final Summer Series event. Jordan Dalton Johnson of Forsyth was the 16- Jake O’Brian of Stephens was the 16-18 Thornton. Lee was the 14-15 winner at 78, McDaniel of Duluth, Ryan Tobin of 18 winner and second overall at 132, winner at 148, one ahead of Johnson and one ahead of Macon’s Coleman Martin . Newnan and Jake Forbes of Woodstock shooting 2-under 56 on Charlie Yates. Joel Thornton. Jones shot 76-78—154 to finish Jacob Bayer of Lawrenceville shot 79 to tied for 2nd in the 16-18 age group at 75. Thornton of Alpharetta was 2nd in the age 1st in 11-13, with Alex Markham of Dacula win 11-13 by one over Markham. group at 137, followed by Jacob Price of 2nd at 161. Tying for 1st at 89 in the girls division [ See Juniors, page 26 ]

Duluth’s Shim takes title in U.S. Junior Championship Duluth’s Andy Shim captured the 2012 U.S. The 17-year-old Shim tied for 37th in bogey at the par-5 fifth dropped Liu’s lead 5-under 139 at Eagle’s Landing to win the Junior Championship, rallying from 5-down stroke play qualifying at the GC of New to one, and Shim won four straight holes Georgia PGA Junior Championship by after 18 holes in the finals to score a England in Stratham, N.H., rallying from an beginning at the seventh, taking a 3-up lead four strokes. resounding 4&3 victory over one of the opening round 78 for a 72 the next day to with birdies at the ninth and 10th. The next week, he posted scores of country’s top-ranked juniors. advance to match play. “I was five down, but I thought if I could 68-65-66 at Coosa CC to win an AJGA event Shim played Jim Liu , the tournament’s Shim recorded five birdies in his opening just make a few birdies on the front, it could by seven with a 14-under 199 total. No. 1 seed in match play and ranked in the match to win 4&2, and jumped out to a 4-up happen,” Shim said after the match. “I didn’t Shim repeated as Georgia PGA Junior top 5 among juniors competing primarily in lead after eight holes against the No. 11 really think about a lot. I just kept thinking champion in June at Athens CC, shooting 68- the U.S., in the 36-hole title match, and was seed in the second round to score a 3&2 vic - about one shot ahead. I didn’t even know 65—133 (11-under) to win by five, with the 5-down after the morning round. tory. His toughest match came in the third how much down I was.” third place finisher nine shots behind him. Suffering from blisters on his feet that round, where he needed 19 holes to Shim did not lose a hole in the afternoon Two weeks later, he completed his sweep required the match to be stopped three advance after being 2-up with five to play. round, moving 4-up at the 12th, with the of the state’s top two junior titles, winning times so he could receive treatment, Shim He won with a birdie on the first extra hole. last three holes halved. the GSGA Junior at Doublegate CC in proceeded to win eight of the next 10 holes In the quarterfinals, Shim won 4&2 after Since moving to Duluth from Korea three Albany with scores of 66-69-70—205, again to take a 3-up lead. He won one more hole being all square after nine, then knocked years ago, Shim has been home schooled, finishing at 11-under. Second place was five before closing out the match on the 15th out the No. 2 seed 2&1 in the semis in a but is looking to attend college even back and the third was 10 off his pace. hole of the afternoon round. match in which he never trailed. though he admits, “I like golf more than Shim narrowly made it into the U.S. Prior to his victory in the U.S. Junior That put Shim the finals against Liu, who school.” Junior, earning the fourth and final spot Championship, Shim had enjoyed almost all won the U.S. Junior in 2010. Liu won each of Shim made his first big mark on junior from a qualifier at the UGA course in Athens his success within the state. He won the his first five matches without playing the golf in Georgia last year when he shot with scores of 72-69—141, one ahead of 2011 Georgia PGA Junior Championship 18th hole, and was headed toward another Augusta’s Greyson Sigg , who was second G S G

and followed the next week with a victory victory after taking a 5-up lead after A in the GSGA Junior. in the annual American Junior Golf 18 holes. In his best tournament on the national Association tournament at Coosa CC But after making 24 birdies against only 3 stage before the U.S. Junior, Shim shot four in Rome. bogeys in his first five matches, Liu began to rounds of par or better at Capital City Shim defended his Georgia PGA Junior unravel on the final 18 while Shim stepped Crabapple to tie for 5th in the Rolex, one of Championship title in June and added the up his game. Liu shot 4-under 68 in the the country’s top junior events. GSGA Junior Championship to his list, win - morning round while Shim shot 74 despite The only other Georgian to qualify for the ning in impressive fashion, as he had done five birdies. U.S. Junior was Alpharetta’s Michael in his three previous victories. His best Liu bogeyed the first hole of the after - Pisciotta , who was medalist in a qualifier in showing in an AJGA event this year came in noon round, and Shim began to make his Greenville, S.C. Pisciotta tied for 29th in the Rolex Tournament of Champions at move when he birdied the par-5 third and stroke play qualifying at the U.S. Junior, but Capital City Club’s Crabapple Course, where drove the green on the 287-yard fourth, lost his first round match 2&1. he tied for 5th. holing a 10-footer for eagle. A double Andy Shim

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[ Continued from page 24 ] S S O C I at Atlanta AC A T I O Jake Fendt and Michaela Owen , both of N Martin and Lee tied for 1st in 14-15 at 73 Suwanee, were the winners at Atlanta followed by Jake Thomas of Cumming at Athletic Club, finishing one stroke ahead of 74 and Duma at 75. Markham was the their closest competitors. 11-13 winner at 73 followed by Lafferty (74) Fendt shot 69-72—141 on the Highlands and Jones (76). Course, with Spencer Yi of Johns Creek Roop was the girls winner at 78, one 2nd in both 16-19 and overall divisions. ahead of Kim at 79. Taylor Strawn of Kyle Mueller of Watkinsville was 3rd McDonough was 1st in 15-18 at 86. at 144. The next events on the Georgia PGA Brett Barron was the 14-15 winner at Junior Tour schedule are Aug. 18-19 at 145, followed by Raj Ghosh of Dacula at Callaway Gardens and Sept. 8-9 at 152 and Steven Fisk at 154. Bailey Tardy Cateechee in Hartwell. Owen shot 79-73—152 to edge out Newnan’s Ji Eun Baek by one in the girls reduced to 45 holes due to inclement holes, but recorded three birdies on her division. Isabella Skinner of Cumming and weather, with the four playoff participants final nine for her comeback victory. Davenport captures Marin Hanna of Moultrie tied for 3rd finishing at 2-under 176. In the boys division, O’Kelley placed 2nd Hawks Ridge title at 157. The three Georgians involved in the at 217, five shots in back of the winner. Kyle At Brunswick CC: Mitch Lomis of St. playoff were John Yi of Marietta, Charlie Mueller tied for 6th at 220, highlighted by Woodstock’s Riley Davenport won the Mary’s shot 71-69—140 to win the boys Flowers of Columbus and Jared O’Kelley a second round 68. Nathan Mallonee of Southeastern Junior Golf Tour Heath division by two over Tye Waller of Griffin, of Canton. Flowers opened with a 68 and Yi Lexington was 9th at 222. Slocum Invitational at Hawks Ridge, the 14-15 age group winner. Lawson King shot 67 in the second round. Yi led at 140 James Clark and Mercer Clark , both of shooting 71-68 for a 5-under 139 total. of Gainesville and Tyler Dallas of Valdosta after the first two rounds, with Flowers and Columbus, finished 5th and 6th respec - Jake Fendt of Suwanee was 2nd at 143 tied for 2nd in boys 16-19 at 146, with Chris O’Kelley 3rd at 142. tively in Shreveport, La., Daniel Kim of after an opening 69, with Harrison Holt of St. Simons 3rd in 14-15 at 153. Jacob Joiner of Albany was 8th at 181, Kennesaw placed 7th in a tournament in Stewart of Roswell 3rd in the 16-19 divi - Hannah Barger of Elberton won the with David Mackey of Bogart and Jackson Arkansas, and Ryan Stachler of Alpharetta sion at 144. girls division by two, shooting 75- Heazel of Atlanta T9 at 182. was 8th at Trump National in New Jersey. 72—147. Hannah Mae Deems In the girls division, which went the was 2nd at 149, with Mary entire 54 holes, Haley Austin of Newsome a winner GOLF FORE Juniors Ellen Shuman of St. Simons McDonough was 3rd at 220, with Kayla 3rd in 15-19 at 152. Kayley Jones of Alpharetta tying for 5th at 226, on Hurricane Tour Marschke of Suwanee was the 12- and Sabrina Long of Alpharetta 7th at 227. Emerson Newsome won a Hurricane Brett Barron of Suwanee was the 14-15 14 winner at 155, one ahead of Lauren Augusta’s Jones Creek hosted a recent Junior Golf Tour event at Royal Lakes in age group winner at 144, one ahead of Lightfritz , also of Suwanee. AJGA event, with local junior David Flowery Branch, posting scores of 70-72— Spencer Ralston . In other SJGT events: Hemann shooting a final round 68 to take 142 to edge Jared O’Kelley by one stroke. In the Dogwood Junior at Druid Hills Albany’s Tyler Joiner defended his title 2nd place at 215, seven behind Connor Ben Huckaby was the 11-14 winner with GC: Hannah Mae Deems of Taylorsville in the SJGT Match Play Championship, Smith of Birmingham. scores of 73-71—144. Justin Kim shot a shot 77-69—146 to win the girls 15-19 divi - played at Grand National in Opelika, Ala. Buster Bruton of Dallas was 4th at 217, second round 68 to take 2nd at 146. sion by six over runner-up Annie Swords Joyner defeated Atlanta’s Will Chandler with Zach Healy and Jason Mendel of Sydney Needham of Villa Rica won the of Newnan. 3&2 in the finals. Milton’s Chase Knox and Norcross and Waynesboro’s Carter Mobley girls division by 18 strokes with a 155 total. Steven Fisk of Stockbridge shot 72-66— Dacula’s Emerson Newsome reached the tying for 5th at 218. Augusta’s Emmanuel In a Hurricane Tour event at Wilmington 138 to win the boys 14-15 age group by six semifinals. Joiner was the medalist in stroke Kountakis tied for 8th at 219, with Island, Savannah’s Chris Sells won in his over Benjamin Shipp of Duluth and Will play qualifying with a 139 total. Cumming’s Chris Guglielmo 10th at 220. home town, shooting 71-75—146 to take Duma . Fisk tied for 2nd overall along with At the Capitol Hill course in Prattville, In the girls division, McKenzie Talbert of the 15-18 division. Savannah’s Howard Preston Heyward of Duluth, who shot Ala., Ji Eun Baek shot 74-72—146 to win North Augusta, S.C., lost in a playoff at 220. Hickey tied for 2nd at 149 with Billy back-to-back scores of 69 to also take 2nd the girls 15-19 division by seven strokes. Michaela Owen tied for 4th at 229, with Freeman of Jesup. in the 16-19 age group. Sean Murphy of Cory Berg of Milton was 3rd in boys 16-19 Roswell’s Jessica Haigwood of Roswell Taylor Allen of Lawrenceville was the Decatur was 3rd at 139. at 147. tying for 8th at 231. Haigwood was 2nd girls 15-18 winner by 13 strokes at 156, with In the 12-13 age group, Justin Kim of In Murfreesboro, Tenn., Colby Hipp of heading to the final round. Kylie Marchman of Waynesboro edging Rome was 2nd at 147, with Peter Chung of Chatsworth was the boys champion, In other AJGA events last month outside Layne-Marie Carter of Lyons by one shot Dacula 3rd at 148. shooting 73-68—141 to win by five strokes. Georgia: in the 11-14 age group. At West Lake in Augusta: Dalton Rachel Dai of Milton was 7th in Georgia Junior Tour: The Georgia State Johnson shot 76-70—146 to edge Southern Pines, N.C., at 221, with Kayla Parks Junior Tour held a tournament at Augusta’s Austin Knox by one. Thomas 3 Georgians edged Jones 10th at 225. Dai was 2nd after an Jekyll Island Golf Club’s Pine Lakes course Buckner of Tifton and David Hemann of opening 69. Zach Healy of Norcross shot 5- last month. Age group winners were: Evans were T3 in 16-19 at 148. in AJGA playoff under 208 to tie for 8th in the boys division, Boys 16-18: William Jarrard , Kite, 152; Chip Allen of Evans was the 14-15 Three Georgia juniors were involved in a four behind the winner. 14-15: Tyler Hanson , Albany, 149; 12-13: winner at 148, with Evans’ Tyler Barker 2nd 4-way playoff in an American Junior Golf In Wallace, N.C., Bailey Tardy of Norcross Camden Collins , Tifton, 160; Girls 16-18: at 150. Jake Forgay of Augusta shot 161 to Association tournament last month in rallied in the final round to win her first Elizabeth Burns , St. Simons, 165; 14-15: easily win the 12-13 age group. Sarah Huntsville, Ala., with all three coming up AJGA title. Tardy had scores of 75-73-71 for Jordan Booker , Ellaville, 190; 12-13: Erin Harrison of Martinez was also a decisive short to a player who shot 5-under 31 on a 3-over 219 total, two strokes ahead of the Peters , Canton, 177. winner in the girls division at 148. his final nine. runner-up. Tardy trailed by six shots after The boys division of the tournament was the opening round and by three after 36 26 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 IN OCTOBER, ALL ROADS LEAD TO HAWKS RIDGE

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 27 Chip Shots U G G E O A R

G Skinns, who earned $22,000 for his vic - I A P

Georgians qualify G tory, is battling with Brandon Brown for A the top spot on the money list, with both at for U.S. Amateur around $93,000 at the end of July. Silvers Nine Georgians earned spots in the 2012 was 3rd at $60,000 with one win and eight U.S. Amateur Championship at two quali - top 10s on the season. Brown led after an fiers in the state, with others qualifying opening 61 at Achasta, finishing in a tie for outside the state. 4th with O’Neal. At Atlanta’s Piedmont Driving Club, six Also tying for 2nd at Achasta was Georgians qualified, led by Georgia Tech’s Orlando’s Patrick Wilkes-Krier , who took Ollie Schniederjans , who earned medalist the lead on the final nine after going honors with a 10-under 132 total. 7-under on a 6-hole stretch from 9 to 14. Schniederjans, a Powder Springs resident, But Wilkes-Krier suffered a double-bogey posted scores of 67 and 65. on the par-5 15th to wind up one Valdosta’s Sepp Straka , a member of the behind Skinns. UGA golf team, was 2nd at 133, followed by T.J. Mitchell Eddie Lee Atlanta’s Michael Hebert at 135, Alpharetta’s Zach Jaworski and Athens’ Hadley a winner Chris Waters at 136 and Alpharetta’s U.S. Public Links: Georgia Tech golfer Deason scoring a birdie on the final hole for Justin Cho at 137. Seth Reeves of Duluth, advanced to match a 68. Ricky Casko was 3rd at 202. on eGolf Tour The two alternates are Georgia Tech play in the U.S. Public Links Championship Peach State events this month include Recent Georgia Tech golfer Chesson golfers James White of Acworth (138) and in Utah, but was defeated in the first round. stops at Whitewater Creek Aug. 13-15 and Hadley won on the eGolf Tour last month Woodstock’s Anders Albertson (139), who Reeves tied for 21st in stroke play quali - Savannah Harbor Aug. 27-29, with a three- in North Carolina, finishing four strokes came up short despite a second round 65. fying at 142, and was 2-up three times on week swing through Albany in September. ahead of Sandersville’s David Robinson . Georgians earned all six qualifying spots. the back nine, the last time after the 16th The Tour Championship is set for Oct. 2-5 at Hadley shot 65-68-67-71 for a 17-under At Macon’s Brickyard at Riverside, hole. But Reeves lost the last two holes of the Georgia Club. 271 total. He earned $18,000 to move to Atlanta’s Jack Larkin and Dublin’s Dean the match and was eliminated when he 2nd on the tour’s money list with more Hester , a member of the South Carolina bogeyed the second extra hole. than $70,000. Hadley has six finishes of 6th golf team, tied for 2nd at 140, with Robert Sepp Straka and Chris Waters both Skinns nets win or better this season, including a recent Mize of Columbus 4th at 141. Five players qualified for the championship, but did not runner-up showing, also in North Carolina. earned spots in the U.S. Amateur, which advance to match play. by 1 at Achasta Former UGA golfer Adam Mitchell tied will be played Aug. 13-19 at Cherry Hills Suwanee resident David Skinns edged for 5th behind Hadley and Robinson, his in Colorado. Savannah’s Mark Silvers by one shot to second strong showing in recent weeks. In qualifiers held outside Georgia: Northcutt captures win a recent NGA (formerly Hooters) Tour Tim O’Neal had back-to-back recent fin - Albany’s T.J. Mitchell , a member of the event at Achasta GC in Dahlonega. ishes of T6 on the tour. UGA golf team, was the medalist at Peach State victory Skinns is a former Hooters Tour player of Saugahatchee CC in Opelika, Ala., at 133. Recent Auburn golfer Glenn Northcutt the Year, and is battling for first place on the Acworth’s Blaine Woodruff , Hester’s team - won a Peach State Golf Tour event in July at money list this season. His win at Achasta Coble claims mate at South Carolina, won a playoff in Callaway Gardens, posting a 19-under 197 was his third in 2012, and he also has sev - Mississippi to earn the final spot. total on the Mountain View course, which eral solid showings this year on the 6th GWGA title UGA golfer Keith Mitchell earned formerly was the site of an annual PGA Tour Web.com (formerly Nationwide) Tour. Augusta’s Laura Coble won the Georgia medalist honors in Knoxville, Tenn., with a tournament. Silvers, who is third on the money list, Women’s Golf Association Championship 136 total, and Georgia Tech’s Richy Northcutt carded rounds of 66-66-65 to began the final round four ahead of Skinns, for the sixth time, winning the event Werenski was second in his home state of win by six strokes and earn the winner’s who closed with a 63 to finish at 22-under recently at The Landings in Savannah. Massachusetts at 136. Also qualifying in his check of $6,200. Chip Deason of Evans, 262. Skinns carded eight birdies and no Coble shot three straight rounds of even home state was UGA golfer Nicholas who was one back of Northcutt after 36 bogeys in the final round, scoring four par 72 on the Deer Creek course to finish Reach , who won his qualifier in holes, was 2nd at 203, with Mark Silvers of straight birdies on the opening nine (4-7) with a 216 total, three ahead of runner-up Pennsylvania by six strokes with a 135 total. Savannah 3rd at 207. Silvers, the Peach and three in a row on the back (13-15). Kathryn Fowler of Americus, a member of U.S. Women’s Amateur: Four Georgians State Player of the Year in 2011, shot 62 in Skinns opened with a 65 and followed the Ole Miss golf team. Fowler closed with qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, the second round. with scores of 66 and 68, with just two a 69 for a 219 total, rebounding after an which was played Aug. 6-12 in Ohio. Eddie Lee of Duluth won at Orchard Hills bogeys on his scorecard for the week. opening 77. Macon’s Lauren Smith was the lone with a birdie on the third playoff hole. Lee Silvers’ tournament was highlighted by an Mercer golfer Lacey Fears of Bonaire Georgian to qualify at Eagle’s Landing, and Denny Lucas of Williamson tied at 11-under 60 in the second round that was 3rd at 222, shooting a tournament low tying for 3rd with a 73. Marietta’s Brenda 15-under 201, with Lee shooting 68 in the included six consecutive birdies on the 67 the final day. Fears shot 80-75 the first Pictor was medalist in a qualifier in Illinois final round and Lucas 67. Casey Johnson back nine. Silvers also birdied 13, 14 and 15 two days. with a 71. Emilie Burger , a member of the was 3rd at 202. Lee earned $3,000 for in the final round, but an earlier stretch of Brenda Pictor of Marietta was 4th at UGA women’s golf team from Hoschton, his victory. three birdies in four holes cost him his lead. 224. Pictor led after an opening 71, but was medalist in her qualifier in Dallas with a Garland Smith also needed extra holes Fellow Savannah resident Tim O’Neal slipped to an 80 before closing with a 73. 70, and former UGA women’s assistant to win at Cartersville CC, winning with a tied for 4th at 265. with a triple bogey on Katy Harris of St. Simons Island was 5th coach Margaret Shirley of Marietta, now birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat the par-4 18th in the opening round the at 227. an assistant at Auburn (her alma mater), Deason. Both players finished at 15-under margin of his 3-stroke deficit to Skinns. It was Coble’s first win in the champi - tied for second in North Carolina with a 70. 201, with Smith closing with a 66 and After an opening 72, O’Neal followed with onship since 2007, when she won for the scores of 65-64-64. fourth time in the last five years.

28 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 putts and was never in serious danger of make another birdie, making bogey on making a bogey. His only slip in the Keppler wins Dibos the 17th and missing a short birdie putt tournament came in the first round, [ Continued from page 20 ] at the 18th that would have gotten her when he made double bogey on the Berkeley event into a playoff. She earned $12,000 for [ Continued from page 12 ] par-3 fourth. Dibos was still 2-under after a birdie at her runner-up finish. Rhatigan finished strong to earn low the third and bogey at the fourth, with Bogeys at 9 and 10 dropped Jones to Classic and Georgia Senior Open, and amateur honors, notching three birdies her key hole the par-4 eighth. Facing a 1-over, but she came right back with finished two strokes out of a playoff in on the last six holes after taking a double long birdie putt from the fringe, Dibos birdies at 11 and 13. She needed two the Atlanta Open. He is a combined bogey at the 12th. As it turned out, he made a more aggressive stroke than she more to tie Dibos, but parred the last five 27-under for eight tournament rounds, needed a good finish. Gwyn shot 65 intended, but her ball smacked into the holes coming in. and also shot a 69 at the UGA course to teeing off No. 10 to make a run at flagstick and plopped into the hole. Dibos says she considers herself “very, qualify for the Nationwide Tour Stadion low amateur in the event for a second “If that did not hit the pin, it would very lucky” to compete on the Legends Classic at UGA. straight year. have gone ten feet past the hole. I feel Tour along side players who are members As with his other It was the first like that was the shot that won it for me.” of the LPGA Hall of Fame. close calls this year, tournament this Steinhauer held the lead for much of “I cannot express how fortunate I am. Stevens was simply year for Rhatigan, the day after four consecutive birdies Every time I can play on the Legends out-played by the winner by the nar - who played two years on the golf team at beginning at the sixth put her 3-under Tour it’s an honor for me, and the mem - rowest of margins. He shot 65 the second Valdosta State before transferring to after nine holes. But Steinhauer did not bers at Winged Foot support that.” day to put pressure on Keppler, who Georgia, graduating in 2010 but not responded with three birdies on the back playing on the golf team in Athens. nine to pull away. Rhatigan notched 13 birdies over two “I played good,” said Stevens, who rounds, including seven in an fourth among the Georgia PGA pros in bogey at No. 3 to get to 5-under for the birdied four of his first five holes and opening 67. the field, one stroke ahead of defending tournament, but bogeyed three of his last missed a 12-footer on the second hole for Skinner, who played in the champion Bill Murchison and Brian six holes for a final round 73. Match Play his only par in that stretch. Stevens holed Champions Tour event at Pebble Beach Puterbaugh . Murchison, who opened winner Tim Weinhart struggled to a 30-footer from the fringe on the first the day before the Championship at with a 68, made a triple bogey on the a second round 75 and tied for 13th hole, made a 20-footer on the fourth and Berkeley Hills began, shot in the 60s par-5 third, leading to a 73. at 143. drilled another 30-footer on the eighth both days. Skinner, who won the recent Atlanta Open champion Seth The tournament was presented by to turn in 5-under and close within two Georgia Senior Open, also tied for third McCain and two-time 2012 Georgia Pennywise.ly Do It Yourself Financial of Keppler’s lead. in the Griffin Classic. PGA winner David Potts tied for ninth Management. Stevens hit 14 greens, needed only 25 Smith birdied the final hole to place at 142. Potts battled back after a double

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2012 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 29 Course Reviews

Willow Lake (Semi-Private) z Play great courses such as East Lake GC, The Legends 550 West Willow Lake Drive, Metter; 912-685-4560; willowlakegolfclub.com at Chateau Elan, TPC Sugarloaf and Sea Island GC STAFF: Gregg Wolff is the PGA Golf Professional/Club Manager; Joe Glisson z Lower Membership Fee is the Superintendent. PAR/YARDAGE: Willow Lake is a par 72 with four sets of tees: Blue (6,483 yards); z Economically priced & close to home White (6,043); Gold (5,324) and Red (4,864). z Most competitive & professionally COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 70.7/132 (Blue); 69.2/126 (White); 65.4/115 (Gold); run junior program in Georgia 67.9/115 (Red). z AJGA PBE exempted events & all ABOUT THE COURSE: Scattered about the state are dozens of courses in small-to- 36-hole tournaments are JGS ranked medium communities that don’t attract much attention outside their immediate z Fun, lifetime relationship building events geographic area. Among the best of those little-known layouts is Willow Lake, a fixture in z Expanded sumer series schedule Metter for decades and home course of one of the state’s most prominent club profes - z Graduate division for ages 19-21 sionals – seven-time Georgia PGA Player of the Year Gregg Wolff. Willow Lake opened for play in the early 1960s with just three holes, soon expanding to nine with the layout a group effort. Well-regarded Georgia architect Arthur Davis added what is now the back nine in the early ‘90s, with the result a quality, enjoyable layout that poses more of a chal - lenge than its modest Course Rating/Slope. Length is not much of a concern, at least until you reach the par-4 18th, one of the state’s most demanding finishing holes. The course is relatively open, but the tree lines are usually within reach and there are plenty of hazards in play both off the tee and near the green. The greens complexes are on the gentle side with minimal bunkering, but there are a few holes on the Davis-designed back that feature significant amounts of undulation and will test your putting touch. Only two of the par 4s, SIGN UP & GET THE DETAILS most notably the 18th, are longer than 400 yards from the tips, offering the opportunity for a number of short iron approaches. The short (320) but hazardous fifth is one of the AT GEORGIAPGA.COM! more interesting holes, with water lining the entire right side and protecting the green. Water is also in play down the left side on the long 18th, which turns left and slightly uphill for the second shot and is a virtual par 5 unless you hit a big tee shot. The par 5s are inviting, especially the relatively short 9th and 11th, but the dogleg left 16th features an extremely demanding lay-up to a small target with a hazard looming to the right. The par 3s also lack for serious length, although they each have at least one challenging element. Course conditions are excellent and Wolff is a welcoming host for one of the state’s most underrated facilities.

Orchard Hills (Public) 600 East Highway 16, Newnan; 770-251-5683; www.orchardhills.com Georgiaa PGA Foundationion STAFF: Wyatt Detmer is the PGA Director of Golf; Dano Korytoski is the PGA Assistant Professional. GolfG Classic PAR/YARDAGE: Orchard Hills is a 27-hole layout with each nine playing to a par of 36. NOVEMBERN O V E M B E R 12,1 2 , 220120 1 2 The original 18 (Orchard and Logo nines) is 7,037 yards (gold tees); 6,553 (blue); 5,952 PEACHTREEP E A C H T R E E GOLFG O L F CLUBC L U B | ATLANTAA T L A N T A , GAG A (white) and 5,153 (red). The newer Rock Garden is of comparable length. COURSE RATING/SLOPE: The original 18 is rated at 73.4/131 (gold); 71.2/121 (blue); Join us toto celebratecelebrate golf in GeorgiaGeorgia as the GeorgiaGeorggia PGA 68.0/115 (white) and 68.9/116 (red). FFoundationoundation tteesees it uup in the Annual Golf ClasClassicsic aatt beautiful ABOUT THE COURSE: One of the metro Atlanta area’s most popular daily fee facilities for PeachtreePeachtree Golf Club inn Atlanta.Atlanta. PeachtreePeachtree Golf Club iss one of the the past two decades, Orchard Hills provides an entertaining test in a slightly different set - mostmost historichistoric coursescourses in America. TheThe legendary Bob Jones built ting than most Atlanta area courses. The links-style layout of the original 18 contrasts with PPeachtreeeachtree as the sissisterteer club ttoo AAugustaugusta NaNationaltional GoGolflf Club and the tree-lined, parkland or development-oriented layouts found throughout the metro those twtwoo ccoursesourses wwouldoould be the only twtwoo he eeverver dedesignedesigned and area. There isn’t much trouble off the fairways on the Orchard and Logo nines, but native built. Peachtree Golf Club remains one of the top 50 courses in grasses and hardpan lies serve as deterrents, along with some well-placed bunkers. Much the country and one of the most exclusive venues. of the water in play is found on the excellent group of par 3s, with three of the four on the original 18 and both on the newer nine requiring carries over hazards, only one of which (No. 3 Rock Garden) has much length. One of the best and most scenic holes on the course For more information contact Mike Paull at is the par-4 third on Orchard (the original front nine), which has water guarding three sides 678-461-8600 or [email protected]. of an expansive putting surface that alters the challenge considerably depending on pin position. The typically ample greens lack serious undulation, but their size will produce GEORGIAPGA. COM plenty of three-putt opportunities if your iron game is just a little off. With few holes of serious length and some room to stray off the tee, Orchard Hills offers plenty of scoring opportunities on the original 18, but if you pick the wrong hole to hit an errant drive (6 and 9 on the Orchard nine, among a few others), you’ll forget how forgiving the course can be off the tee. Course conditions are typically first rate, although the fairways suffered a bit earlier this summer due to lack of rain. Conveniently located along I-85, Orchard Hills is accessible, affordable and enjoyable, and will reward quality play with a score that will bring a smile to your face. 30 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012 THE SEASON ENDS IN ATLANTA

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32 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2012