Bulldog Duo Begin PGA Tour Careers English, Harman Ace Q-School Test

GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« FEBRUARY 2012 Bulldog duo begin PGA Tour careers English, Harman ace Q-school test

for the Bulldogs was bittersweet, as he in his second profes - By Mike Blum lost in the decisive match against sional start, and placed he University of Georgia Augusta State’s Patrick Reed in the third in Miami two contingent on the PGA Tour NCAA Championship finals. weeks later. for 2012 more than doubled A few months later, English again “The Nationwide Tour T after outstanding efforts by found himself on the losing side in a was awesome for me,” four former Bulldogs in the finals of team competition, competing for the English said. “It gave me Q-school. U.S. against Great Britain/Ireland in the some experience.” Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner , Walker Cup. From an individual stand - Enjoying success in his teammates on Georgia’s 2005 NCAA point, English put together a string of brief stay on the tour Championship team, regained their impressive efforts that included a victory “gave me a lot of confi - status on the tour by placing among the on the Nationwide Tour as an amateur. dence. It showed me I top 25 finishers. “It’s been an unbelievable year,” could play out here.” They will be joined by Harris English said from Los Angeles as he was English also has fond A

English and Brian Harman , who are preparing to board a plane for Hawaii memories of his years in R T S I rookies this season. and his first ever PGA Tour start. “A lot Athens, and said he was “sad O O K L

English made his PGA Tour debut in of great things have happened.” to leave” after his four years A Hawaii last month, while Harman was Prior to turning pro after the Walker there. The main disappoint - making his fifth PGA Tour start, the Cup, English won the Southern ment was the Bulldogs’ loss lish first three as an amateur. Amateur, reached the semifinals of the to Augusta State in the Harris Eng While it took Harman a few years USGA Public Links Championship and NCAA title match. after graduating from Georgia to make it won one of the Nationwide Tour’s pre - “We were so close to win - to the PGA Tour, English went straight mier events in Columbus, Ohio. ning,” English observed. “That from Athens to golf’s major leagues fol - English joined the Nationwide Tour was a tough loss.” “That was the most nervous I have lowing a whirlwind six months that after the Walker Cup and immediately The NCAA title match and the ever been,” English said of his first ever culminated with his strong showing in demonstrated that his victory as an ama - Walker Cup gave English a taste of appearance in the finals of qualifying. the finals of qualifying. teur was not a fluke. He lost in a playoff defeat along with the success he enjoyed The length of the event (six rounds) English enjoyed a very successful in Texas to Danny Lee , the highest as an individual, and helped prepare him career at UGA, but his final appearance ranked player on the Nationwide Tour, for the challenge of Q-school. [ See English, page 6 ]

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This is probably the best grams and some are equal to or below Brian Stubbs, PGA • [email protected] your child to attend can be advice you can keep in mind Division 3 programs. Some of the NAIA pro - Secretary harder than one may realize throughout this whole grams in Georgia include Reinhardt Mark Mongell, PGA without the proper knowl - process. Your child is pas - University, Savannah College of Art and [email protected] edge and guidance. sionate about playing golf, not passionate Design, Shorter College and Truett- Honorary President Jim Arendt, PGA • [email protected] Collegiate golf may be growing, but that about sitting at home while the rest of McConnell College. Rules for recruiting and does not necessarily mean that there are team is away at a golf tournament. Do not scholarships vary between these divisions CHAPTER PRESIDENTS more coaches out there. Golf programs are be caught up in trying to land a roster spot and classifications. Do some research and Central Chapter President often headed up by only one coach, with at the most prestigious school, but rather you can know what you might be able to Jarred Reneau, PGA • [email protected] larger programs lucky enough to have a try to secure a roster spot at a school your expect in terms of scholarship offers for East Chapter President Steve Godley , PGA • [email protected] head coach and an assistant coach. Many child can contribute to right away. You only your child. North Chapter President coaches that were once men’s or women’s have four years of eligibility, do not spend a A solid resume´ is a good place to start in Ted Fort , PGA • [email protected] coaches are now heading up both teams at year or two of it riding the pine. terms of contacting a coach. Coaches are that given school. With less time to meet The demand for female golfers is higher much more inclined to respond to an e- AT - LARGE DIRECTORS these responsibilities, something has got to than ever in college golf. Every year mail or letter if they know that the potential Daryl Batey, PGA [email protected] give. At many schools, time spent on women’s golf teams have open roster spots recruit is in fact good enough to contribute Roger Cherico, PGA recruiting is declining. and extra scholarship money available that to their program. Open inquires without a [email protected] The simple math of it is there are too goes unused. Getting your daughter resume´ might not get a response. John Crumbley, PGA many junior golf tournaments and coaches involved with her high school program this However, a resume´ is just one of the first [email protected] Jeff Dunovant, PGA do not have enough time to see enough of year can lay the foundation for a pros - stepping-stones in the recruiting process. [email protected] them. Coaches are changing how they do perous college golf career. PGA Professionals can often help in the col - John Godwin, PGA Sit down with your son or daughter and lege golf exploratory phase as well. Golfers [email protected] do an accurate assessment of his or her are a close-knit community and most of Scott Mahr, PGA [email protected] talent, abilities and potential. Next, your local pros probably played college Michael Raymond, PGA INSIDE THIS ISSUE research school in your area, or beyond, golf somewhere. Use these connections to [email protected] and determine some potential schools that aid your search. Maybe your pro knows might be interested in your child. After coaches, players, or anyone else that may SENIOR DIVISION t FEATURES: compiling this list, it is time to take a have ties to a college program? President s Gordon McIntire , PGA • [email protected] glimpse at the academic offerings of these Here at West Pines in Douglasville, we a BrendonTodd ...... 8 ASSISTANTS ’ DIVISION c Scott Dunlap ...... 10 schools. Does this school offer a degree offer a program that gets students ready President e program that would interest your child? for their high school golf programs in the David Potts , PGA • [email protected] r Art of Golf ...... 12 Remember, only a very small percentage of spring. In addition, we discuss the steps Executive Director Mike Paull o Cobblestone GC ...... 14 golfers go on to tee it up in a PGA Tour necessary to take their games to the next Assistant Executive Director/ F Sonny Skinner ...... 16 event, so the diploma is still the ultimate level and play golf at the collegiate level. If Junior Golf Director Scott Gordon goal at college. Golf may just happen to your child is interested in pursuing his or Tournament Director Pat Day, PGA Georgia PGA preview ...... 18 Operations Manager Eric Wagner help foot the bill. her golfing dreams past the high school Section Assistant Traci Waters NationwideTour 2012 ...... 20 Another thing to consider when level, do the research necessary and do researching schools is their division or clas - not hesitate to find yourself someone FOREGeorgia is produced by Golf Media, Inc. sification. The National Collegiate Athletic that already has those collegiate Copyright ©2010 with all rights reserved. DEPARTMENTS: Reproduction or use, without permission, Association (NCAA) is broken up into three connections. of editorial or graphic content is prohibited. Golf FORE Juniors ...... 22 divisions. Division One is where you will Georgia PGA web site: www.georgiapga.com.

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2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 pressure. I definitely got mini-tour level, along with an occa - His lone win came in Virginia in an nervous, but it’s all a sional Nationwide Tour start. 2010, with Harman notching six other Brian Harm learning process.” Like English, Harman arrived in top-3 finishes in 24 starts, plus a runner- English has been Athens in off a victory in the Georgia up finish last year in a Hooters Tour touted as one of the 2012 Amateur (2005), and made two Walker event in North Augusta, S.C. PGA Tour rookies to Cup appearances (2005 and ’09), both “I learned a lot the last few years,” he watch. A number of U.S. wins on home soil. He was a more says. “Now I want to find out how I can observers have been heralded player as a youngster, winning do on the PGA Tour.” impressed with his evi - the 2003 U.S. Junior, but failed to get Harman realizes he is making a huge dent talent, beginning past the first stage of qualifying in his jump, and as a PGA Tour member will be with his prodigious first two visits to Q-school. playing against “the best of the best. I length off the tee. This time, Harman aced all three expect really good competition. I’ll find “You’ve got to put Q-school tests, tying for second place in out how good I am.” that to the side,” both first and second stage qualifiers and Having moved from his native English says. “I’ve got contending for medalist honors in the Savannah to St. Simons after turning pro, to do what I’ve been finals, settling for a tie for eighth. Harman has been able to turn to some of doing and not worry “I could not be more excited,” the island’s tour players for answers to about what anybody Harman said after a practice session in questions about what he is about to

else is saying. Los Angeles a few days before flying to encounter.

T S

I “But I take it as a Hawaii for his 2012 debut. “I’ve never “They’ve been helpful,” he says of

O K

L compliment. I appre - been more excited in my life. A lot players like Lucas Glover, Jonathan Byrd A ciate that they’re of hard work has gone into this. and Brandt Snedeker. “I can talk to saying nice things. I can’t wait.” them about anything. If I have a ques - That’s awesome, but Thanks to his outstanding play in tion, they’re willing to help me out.” I can’t let it give me a big head or affect qualifying, Harman is bypassing the At 5-foot-7, Harman will be among how I play.” Nationwide Tour, which raised a red flag the shortest players on the PGA Tour, English, Harman English’s experience as a professional for at least one family member. After he and joins the small fraction of left-han - make debuts is limited, just eight Nationwide Tour advanced past second stage for the first ders on the tour. Despite his stature, starts, three as an amateur. But even that time, Harman’s mom offered the opinion Harman can hang with the game’s big on PGA Tour brief exposure to the life of a tour pro that he might be better off if he wound hitters and is not lacking for either [ Continued from the cover ] had its benefits. up on the Nationwide Tour this year, but talent or confidence. “I played five weeks in a row in a dif - her son had a different opinion. “I’ve always been a pretty good ball added to his unease, but that wasn’t evi - ferent city every week and I learned how “I’ve never tried to limit myself,” said striker. I might have relied on that a dent for the first five days. to travel. I’ve learned a lot over the past Harman, who played a handful of little too heavily in college.” English was in seventh place or better year, but I still have a lot to learn.” Nationwide Tour events each of the last In preparing for his rookie season on after the second, third, fourth and fifth In search of advice, English has two years. He tied for 18th in the the PGA Tour, Harman has targeted one rounds and said he “played really well turned to some fellow ex-Bulldogs, as Stadion Classic at UGA in his particular area of his game for needed the first five days. well as the veteran group of PGA Tour Nationwide Tour debut in 2010, and improvement. “Every tour player is used to playing players living on St. Simons Island, played solidly in both Valdosta and “I’m a firm believer that most of the for four days, but Q school is six days. where English has recently settled after Athens last year. money is from one hundred yards and After the fourth round, I knew I had to moving from Thomasville. Unlike English, who was making his in. I’ve been an OK wedge player, not keep going for two more days, and the “They’ve gone through what I’m PGA Tour debut in Hawaii, Harman great. That and putting are the areas I last day I got a little ahead of myself.” going through,” says English, who is was making his fifth PGA Tour start, need the most improvement in. A late double bogey left English with aware that “The PGA Tour can be but just his second as a pro. He made a “I know there’s going to be some a 74 and tie for 13th, but he again lonely at times.” handful of appearances as an amateur, growing pains. It depends on my ability picked up some valuable experience. Harman has been a pro two years making the cut in Hartford at the age of to adjust and improve.” “I learned a lot the last day,” he longer than English, but has spent most 17 in 2004. Harman played his way into Harman put his talents on display in offered. “I learned how to play under of his time grinding away on the the field as a Monday qualifier in the finals of qualifying, notching 31 Greensboro in 2010 and opened with a birdies over six rounds. His best stretch 68, but missed the cut with an even par came on his final nine of the third 140 total. round on the dangerous PGA West Rookies cash in Most of Harman’s experience as a pro Stadium course. has come on the North Carolina-based Following a double bogey on the Most of Georgia’s rookies on the PGA Tour pocketed some money in their initial eGolf Tour. He enjoyed a consistently 18th, his ninth hole of the day, Harman appearances last month. Harris English shot 67 in his first round on the PGA Tour excellent rookie season in 2010, fin - was 1-over on the round and a and made the cut in the Sony Open in Hawaii before finishing T67. Thanks largely ishing in the top 10 in 11 of 14 starts modest 3-under for the tournament. to a second round 62 the next week in the Humana Challenge, English tied for to place third on the money list He rebounded with birdies on seven of 19th, earning $72,800. with almost $88,000. He played in the next eight holes for a 29 on the front Brian Harman also made his first two cuts, but finished back in the pack fewer eGolf events last year in favor of nine and was among the leaders the in both events. Harman shot 66 in the second round in Hawaii and posted three more Monday qualifiers on the remainder of the tournament. straight 69s in the Humana Challenge, but fell back in the final round both weeks. Nationwide Tour, and slipped to 10th Harman was 5-under after 16 holes in Both Ex-Georgia Bulldog Erik Compton and former Georgia Tech standout in earnings. the final round and was just one stroke Roberto Castro of Alpharetta were 2-for-2 in cuts made to start the season. Castro Harman played well during his two out of the lead, but finished bogey- shot 67 in his first round in Hawaii, and turned in a solid effort the next week in the years on the eGolf Tour, but said, double bogey to tie for eighth at Humana. Augusta's Scott Brown, who had never played in a PGA Tour event, “I would have liked to win a little more. 13-under 419, four behind former missed his first two cuts. I had a couple of good chances.” teammate and medalist Todd.

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2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 ‘Medalist’ Todd returns to PGA Tour Building on that momentum, Todd had first to himself and a $50,000 check, Q-school effort caps comeback shot 64 in the opening round of his his largest since the tie for 12th in June second stage Q-school qualifier and of 2010 in Memphis. closed with a 67 to tie for 4th in “I figured I’d be in the top five.” Todd after lengthy, puzzling slump Plantation, Fla., after entering the final said, with his first inkling that he might round on the number for advancing. be the winner coming from playing By Mike Blum But then something happened. Todd That put Todd in the finals in La partner Jarrod Lyle. broke 70 just once the rest of the year Quinta, Calif., and he responded with “I shook his hand and he asked, ‘Did ore than most sports, golf and missed his last 12 cuts of 2009. He six straight under par rounds on the you win, mate? is frequently unexplain - returned to the Nationwide Tour in penal courses at PGA West, four of them “Then my wife or somebody said that able. Take Brendon Todd 2010, but did not come close to repli - in the 60s. He improved his position I was at least in a tie for first.” as a prime example. cating his success two years earlier. each day, beginning in the middle of the Todd, speaking from his home in MTodd was a key member of Georgia’s Todd did not make a cut the entire pack (T87) after an opening 71. A 68 the Atlanta a few days before heading for 2005 NCAA Championship team and 2010 season, again breaking 70 just second day jumped him up to 15th, and Hawaii for his first start of the 2012 turned pro in 2007 after an outstanding once. Thanks to his win in ’08, Todd he inched his way up to 9th, 6th and 3rd season, views his triumph in the finals of college career in Athens. retained status on the Nationwide Tour going to the final round. qualifying as “redemption” after almost It didn’t take him long to make his last year, but began the season with three With little attention focused on him, two years of frustrating struggles. mark as a professional. In his first start on straight missed cuts to run his string to Todd put together a bogey-free 68 Going almost two years without the Tar Heel (now eGolf) Tour, he won. 28 in a row. the final day and when the scores of all making a cut is something that can Three weeks later, he won in his second After almost two years of struggles, the competitors were added up, wreck a promising career, but Todd was start on the Hooters (now NGA) Tour. Todd finally made it through 72 holes in Todd was the Q-school medalist at able to weather the storm. Todd made it to the finals of PGA Valdosta, and wound up making five 17-under 415. Even during his struggles, Todd says he Tour qualifying in his first attempt, but cuts in succession with a string of solid Less than a year removed from the end was “excited about going to the course finished well down the list and began his finishes. However, that was followed by a of his 28-tournament streak of missed and thinking about how I can improve. first full season as a pro with limited stretch of 11 missed cuts in 12 starts cuts, Todd is again a PGA Tour member. “I did not quit. I didn’t change what I status on the Nationwide Tour. before Todd closed out the year with four He began the 2012 season with the well- was doing. I never stopped fighting.” After not being able to get into the consecutive made cuts, including his first earned satisfaction of having overcome Todd’s troubles stemmed in large part field in the first six Nationwide Tour top 10 in almost three years. an inexplicable stretch of sub-standard from a loss of confidence in his driver. events of 2008, Todd received a sponsor’s play that lasted almost two years. “On the course, I started having

exemption into the Athens Regional A “I had a good game plan,” Todd negative thoughts. That’s what kept R T S I

Foundation Classic at Jennings Mill. He O said of his play in the finals of Q- me down.” O K L

was tied for the lead after 54 holes, but A school. “I worked on a lot of good Todd said he would stand on the first struggled in the final round and fell all things and it was one of those tee and immediately begin to focus on the way to a tie for 25th. weeks. I stuck with the same where the out of bounds stakes were. Todd shook off the disappointment of things and kept getting better “That caused me to shake violently.” his shaky finish to tie for 9th two weeks every day.” Once an accurate driver, Todd reached later in Valdosta, and added two more Todd entered the final round the point in 2010 where he barely hit top-10 showings in the next three weeks four strokes off the lead, but with half the fairways from the tee. But with to secure his status on the tour for the veteran Marco Dawson struggling the help of what he says is “a great sup - rest of the year. to a 76, Todd seized his opportu - port team” and an unshakeable belief Thanks to a terrific stretch of golf nity. Stretching his string of that he had the ability to succeed at golf’s through the summer, including a win in bogey-free holes to 32 on the two highest level, Todd eventually worked his Utah, Todd ended the season in the top perilous courses that hosted the way out of the problems that dogged him 20 on the money list to earn a spot on event, Todd scored back-to-back for such a long stretch. the PGA Tour in 2009. birdies on 14 and 15 to tie for the “I have a deep-seated belief that I’m a The first half of Todd’s rookie season lead, and parred the tough fin - good player who was meant to play on the on the PGA Tour was progressing ade - ishing holes on the Stadium PGA Tour and have a long career. I’ve been quately, culminating in a tie for 12th in Course to claim medalist honors successful at every level I’ve played at.” Memphis, where he shot 65-68-66 the by one stroke. Beginning early last year, Todd says he final three rounds. With no scoreboards on the “started playing better, but I couldn’t Brendon Todd course, Todd had no idea how he finish on the weekends.” stood relative to other players. For He finished the year 84th on the most of the final round, Todd was Nationwide Tour list, as his ball striking Fast start Brendon Todd made a successful return either tied or behind his two stats returned to levels closer to where to the PGA Tour, earning almost $140,000 in his playing partners, who were in the next to they were in his first season on the tour, last group off the tee. while his putting touch remained among first two starts of 2012. Todd tied for 13th in his “I was very surprised,” Todd said when the best on tour. season opener in Hawaii, shooting 68 in all four he learned that he was tied for the lead Todd will be one of a sizeable group when he completed the grueling 108- of former Georgia Bulldogs on the rounds. He was just outside the top 10 after hole competition. While a number of his PGA Tour this year, including several three rounds in the Humana Challenge, tying challengers were faltering down the former teammates. for 26th after a closing 72. stretch, Todd never flinched. When his co-leader bogeyed the 18th hole, Todd [ See Todd, page 18 ]

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2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 Dunlap back on PGA Tour at age 48

Since then, Dunlap had done little to rounds (19) but more than compensated suggest he was likely to regain his PGA with 27 birdies and one eagle, which Returns to ‘different tour’ Tour status. But all that changed with came during the final round. strong showings in the second and final For five days, Dunlap posted a series of than when he left in 2002 stages of qualifying late last year. solid scores ranging from a low of 70 to “I felt like I had better golf left than I a high of 72. A 70 on the slightly easier was doing,” Dunlap says. “But when you Nicklaus course during the worst By Mike Blum showing in the finals of qualifying. Dunlap have a problem and don’t fix the weather conditions of the week jumped is one of the oldest players to ever “grad - problem, it gets worse.” Dunlap from 56th to 21st, and he held ight Georgians were among the uate” from Q-school, with fellow Georgian Neither a big hitter nor a deadly steady the next day with a 71 on the top 25 finishers in the finals of Allen Doyle less than a month older when putter, Dunlap has relied on the quality Stadium course to begin the final round Q-school to earn spots on the he earned medalist honors in 1996. of his ball striking to make a living over just one stroke outside the top 25. PGA Tour in 2012. “It’s a different tour than when I the past two-plus decades. But that Needing a strong final round to EOf that group, four will be rookies this played it,” Dunlap said a few days before aspect of his game has not been sharp advance, Dunlap went out in 3-under, season, two others will be second-year heading to Hawaii for his first start of the enough in recent years to keep him com - including a 4-under stretch in a 4-hole players and a seventh is a looking to 2012 season. There are some new events petitive against his younger and stronger span. He birdied both par 5s on the back bounce back after his first unproductive and courses. It’s not the same old thing it competition. nine and finished with his best score all season in eight years on the tour. was during 2002.” “It’s the same old me,” Dunlap says. “I week – a 68 – to tie for 18th, making it And then there’s Scott Dunlap. Dunlap enjoyed some success during haven’t had the energy to take something with one shot to spare. Like Vaughn Taylor (No. 7), Dunlap is his six seasons on the PGA Tour between that was broken and made something Dunlap entered that final round with a veteran PGA Tour member, with six 1996 and 2002, but has been unable to out of it; to turn a 73 into a 69, or even a slightly different mindset from his years experience. play well enough on the Nationwide a 71. I haven’t had the energy or the younger competitors. Those six years, however, all came Tour since then to earn his return. effort to grind it out.” “Q-school is a big deal, and for guys before Taylor joined the PGA Tour During his nine years on the With both his Nationwide Tour victo - who are 25, it’s the world. It’s not the in 2004. Nationwide Tour, Dunlap won twice, ries coming in his 40s (he was 44 when world to me. I’ve done that. I just want Dunlap, a long time Duluth resident but qualified for the Tour Championship he won in Panama), Dunlap believes he to play good golf.” who plays out of Atlanta Athletic Club, just three times and made it to the finals still has some good golf left in him. His motivating thought going to the has not been a PGA Tour member since of Q-school on only one occasion. He “There’s no way you can tell me you final round was simple. “I wanted to play 2002, spending the last nine years com - describes his results over the past decade can’t play good golf into your late golf like I think I can play. If you’re peting on the Nationwide Tour. as “mostly mediocre.” 40s,” he said, citing Nick Price, John not good enough to get through that But at the age of 48, Dunlap is back on Both times Dunlap won – in Cook, Tom Watson and Kenny Perry as (Q-school), you’re not good enough to the PGA Tour this year after a strong California in 2004 and Panama in ’08 – examples. be on tour.” Dunlap, who shot an 11-under 60 during the Nationwide Tour stop in Kansas City last year, responded with his “There’s no way you can tell me you can’t best clutch effort in some time in the Scott Dunlap final round of Q-school, and as a result is play good golf into your late 40s.” — a PGA Tour member again. During his 25-plus years as a tour he failed to finish among the top 100 A number of PGA Tour members in player, Dunlap has traveled the world, on the money list the following season, their late 40s are largely concerned with with 10 of his 11 victories coming out - p Scott Dunla and was outside the top 100 again keeping their games sharp for the side the U.S. Between 1994 and 2000, last year. Champions Tour. But without a PGA Dunlap won nine international tourna - Dunlap admits motivation has Tour victory and career earnings too low ments – two each in Canada and South been something of a problem of late, to immediately qualify for the Africa and five in South America. facing the prospect “of going to Champions Tour, Dunlap is more His play in Canada earned him his Omaha or Wichita for the seventh focused on the here and now. first shot on the PGA Tour – a tie for 8th consecutive year.” “It’s not like I’m going to walk on to in the 1995 Canadian Open. He played Although his results were not the Champions Tour. I’ve got to go to on the PGA Tour six of the next seven always up to the standards Dunlap the first stage of qualifying like every - years, with his best season coming in would have liked, he managed to body else.” 2000, when he tied for third in retain his status on the Nationwide Other than 2008, Dunlap has had no the Players Championship and for Tour each year, but made only one success in PGA Tour qualifying over the ninth in the PGA Championship at serious run at reclaiming his PGA past decade, at least until this year. He Valhalla, where he played with eventual Tour membership. had several nervous moments in both the champion Tiger Woods in the Dunlap won the season- second stage and finals, but made it third round. opening event in ’08 in Panama, through both with little or no margin Dunlap twice earned spots in World

but eventually fell out of the top for error. Golf Championship events and made the

I 25. He made it to the finals of In the finals at PGA West, Dunlap field for the 1998 British Open in a 36-

O O

K qualifying for the first time since managed to avoid any big numbers on hole qualifier, posting a top 30 finish. L A 1998, and made a strong run at the two hazard-laden layouts, playing Dunlap has made frequent treks to the a top 25 finish before coming 108 holes without a double bogey. He up just short. suffered his share of bogeys over six [ See Dunlap, page 16 ]

10 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2012 HIGH HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ATLANTA It’s More Than a Game. The Art of Golf.

Explore 400 years of golf through paintings, drawings, and photographs. Featuring paintings from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Scotland, as well as the largest collection of Bobby Jones portraits ever assembled.

The exhibition is made by possible by lead sponsor Sotheby’s, The Imlay Foundation, The Sara Giles Moore Foundation, PGA TOUR Superstore, the Friends of Golf, and the Friends of Scotland: Frances Bunzl, Marcia and John Donnell, Gayle Kennedy, Jo Ann and Nick Nicholson, Kathy and Bill Rayner, Sharon and Chip Shirley, Margaretta Taylor, Joan N. Whitcomb, and audio-visual Sponsor AVYVE. Additional support is provided by The Fay and Barrett Howell Exhibition Fund and The Eleanor McDonald Storza Exhibition Endowment Fund. images: Sir George Reid (Scottish, 1841–1913), Tom Morris, Sr., 1903, oil on canvas, by kind permission of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Wayman Adams (American, 1883–1959), Bobby Jones, 1926, oil on canvas, courtesy Atlanta Athletic Club, John’s Creek, Georgia. John Mummert, Tiger Woods, 2008 U.S. Open Championship, San Diego, California, 2008, digital image, United States Golf Association Museum, Far Hills, New Jersey, courtesy USGA Museum/John Mummert. Sir John Lavery (Irish, 1856–1941), Golfing at North Berwick (detail), ca. 1920, oil on canvas, collection of John and Mary Ellen Imlay, Jr. Photo: John McKenzie. Charles Lees (Scottish, 1800–1880), The Golfers, 1847, oil on canvas, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, purchased with the FEB 5 assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Art Fund, and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Photo: A Reeve. Tickets: HIGH.org or 404-733-5000 | Members Always Free JUNE 24 Discounts for groups of ten or more. Call 404-733-4550.

2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 The Art of Golf

By Kyndra Marshall

rganized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, and the National Galleries of Scotland, The Art of Golf eOxplores how European and American artists have depicted the royal and ancient game for more than four centuries. From the seventeenth-century landscapes of Hendrick Avercamp to Andy Warhol’s por - trait of Jack Nicklaus, artists have approached golf from a diverse range of perspectives. In Scotland—the birthplace of the modern game—Charles Lees presented his masterpiece The Golfers in a heroic scale usually reserved for history painting, while in the United States, impressionistic landscapes by Childe Hassam and James McNeill Whistler underscored the relation - ship between golf, modern ideas about recreation, and genteel manners. Photographer Harold Edgerton dissected the game from a methodical, technolog - ical perspective, paralleling the revolution Explore 400 years of golf through paintings, drawings, and photos. in equipment design and innovations in Featuring objects from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, golf instruction, and Norman Rockwell’s illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post as well as the largest collection of Bobby Jones portraits ever assembled. poked gentle fun at the foibles experi - enced by a new generation of middle-class golfers. Finally, native Atlantan Robert Tyre “Bobby” Jones, Jr., was one of the game’s most beloved players and deserves credit for popularizing the game on both sides of the Atlantic. Jones was a favored subject for artists throughout most of the twen - tieth century, having served as a bridge between the United States and Scotland— an ambassador, of sorts, beloved by both countries for his dedication, integrity, and love for the game. The Art of Golf brings together extraor - dinary, rare, and even whimsical works of art to celebrate what Jones called “a game of considerable passion.”

What:The Art of Golf Where: High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta

When: February 5 - June 24 CLOCKWISE , FROM TOP LEFT : WAYMAN ADAMS (AMERICAN , 1883-1959 ) BOBBY JONES , 1926 , OIL ON CANVAS , 80 X 47 INCHES . COURTESY OF ATLANTA ATHLETIC CLUB .; ANDY WARHOL (AMERICAN , 1928-1987 ), JACK NICKLAUS , 1977 , ACRYLIC AND SILKSCREEN INK ON LINEN , 40 X 40 INCHES . THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM , PITTSBURGH ; FOUNDING COLLECTION , CONTRIBUTION THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS , INC . Info: High.org; 404-733-5000 ©2011 ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS ), NEW YORK ; CHARLES LEES (SCOTTISH , 1800-1880 ), THE GOLFERS , 1847 , OIL ON CANVAS , 51 1/2 X 84 1/4 INCHES . SCOTTISH NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY , PURCHASED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND , THE ART FUND AND THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB , 2002 . PHOTO : A. REEVE .

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2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 Cobblestone’s quality earns national ranking Cobb course among top municipal layouts

By Mike Blum the course opened in 1993 and the its location along the shores of Lake nerve to shoot at flags that offer tiny tar - here is a certain image present is the putting surfaces, which Acworth. Almost half the holes border gets with ample amounts of trouble attached to the term “munic - were changed from bent grass to the lake, which makes for some won - within close proximity. ipal golf course” that is not Champions Bermuda in 2010. The derful views but also makes for some Because of the size, depth and posi - exactly flattering. greens were restored to their original very dangerous shots, especially when tioning of many of the greenside TAny preconceptions you have about sizes, but some of their contours have the pins are cut perilously close to the bunkers, you can expect to face some “munis” will be shattered after one visit gradually diminished over the years. water’s edge. daunting shots from the sand, either due to Cobblestone Golf Course, one of the Cobblestone’s original design included Other than four of the par 3s and the to the length of the shot or the water state’s premier daily fee facilities and one greens divided into two or three distinct tee shot on the short par-4 fourth, there looming not far beyond the flagstick. of the country’s top-rated municipal partitions, which placed significant chal - are no forced carries, and none of those Cobblestone is rated at 73.2/137 courses. lenges on putts from a different level as par 3s is especially lengthy. from the black tees and 71.0/130 from During its almost two decades of oper - the blues. The white tees measure ation, Cobblestone has been ranked 5,843 yards and are rated at 69.0/126, as one of the Top 100 public courses plenty of challenge for golfers who in the U.S. (Golf Magazine), one of don’t regularly shoot in the 80s. The the top 100 Municipal courses in the forward tees are longer (5,400 yards) U.S. in 2010 (Golfweek) and as and more challenging (72.3/129) than Atlanta’s No. 1 daily fee course in most, but the tees on the par 3s are various polls. positioned to minimize or avoid the carries over water. Because of its relatively compact nature, Cobblestone is a rare modern course that is easily walkable, with no extended distances between greens and tees. The absence of development and what General Manager Terry Harnage describes as “magnificent views you don’t find on other courses” ole adds to the appeal of walking. ver water par-3 3rd h O Harnage says the most common response the Cobblestone staff receives from first time visitors Cobbleston e's perilous par-4 11th But you don’t have to stray that far off is their surprise that the course is a well as making many chips line to find hazards on the holes where public facility. Among that group is and pitches a real adventure. water is a serious factor. actor Dennis Quaid, who made frequent Cobblestone is owned by Cobb Thanks to the mounds and Cobblestone is a relatively generous visits to the course while in the area County and managed by Affiniti Golf deep bunkers that border many of the course off the tee, with many of the fair - working on a move project. Partners, and has earned its lofty reputa - greens, Cobblestone still presents serious ways bordered by mounds that can Cobblestone is among the busiest tion thanks to an outstanding and scenic short game challenges, but is not quite re-direct your tee shot back into the public courses in the state, even though layout, quality course conditions and a as demanding as it once was after you short grass. However, the rolling nature its rates are not as inexpensive as that of natural and undeveloped setting. reach the putting surfaces. of most of holes will leave you with a other courses hosting a comparable Designed by Ken Dye (no relation to Cobblestone is on the short side by variety of uneven lies, particularly when number of rounds. The course offers Pete) and Joe Finger, whose names are modern standards, measuring just 6,759 you get a little close to the mounds off four different levels of cards that can connected to several other nationally yards from the tips and 6,272 from the the fairway. be purchased on an annual basis and regarded layouts, Cobblestone is also blues. That’s a bit deceptive, since the Fairway bunkers are at a minimum provide discounted fees and pro among the state’s more challenging daily course plays to a par of 71 with five par 3s. (some of the originals were removed), shop charges. Cobb County residents fee courses, but has been softened a bit The layout includes two entertaining and it usually takes a significantly off-line get a slight break, making the costs over the years. par 4s measuring under 300 yards from tee shot to find the tree lines, which have very reasonable for a course of The “love grass” that bordered many the blues, a pair of par 3s of modest been thinned sufficiently to allow Cobblestone’s quality. of the fairways when the course opened length and a short-ish group of par 5s recovery shots. The real challenge begins The course is located in Acworth just as The Boulders (the name change was (with one exception), all of which play with the approach shots, which have to off U.S. 41 north of Barrett Parkway. legally required) was removed early on, downhill. But there are also five very deal with the sizeable and deep bunkers making it a much less punishing course stout par 4s and a par 3 that exceeds 200 guarding the greens, which are config - off the tee. Some bunkers have also been yards from the blues. ured to maximize the impact of the sand, For more information, visit removed, but Cobblestone’s layout has Cobblestone’s variety is among its mounds and water around them. www.cobblestonegolf.com changed little since it opened. strengths, with one memorable hole There are a number of holes where it or call 770-917-5151 The main difference between when after another, helped to a large degree by takes a considerable amount of skill and

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2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Skinner shooting for Champions Tour success

three years after he claimed Player of Just misses exempt status in finals of qualifying the Year honors among all PGA professionals. “To be Player of the Year is pretty cool,” said Skinner. “It doesn’t mean I rounds in the 60s to finish with a week. It was all about whether I By Mike Blum was the best. It means I played more and 13-under 271 total. That left him in a made putts. got a few more points. The owner at or the past three decades, three-way tie for sixth, necessitating a “I really played good in the third River Pointe encourages me to go out Sonny Skinner has been playoff to determine the order for non- round. I hit the ball beautifully but I and play tournaments. I’ve got a little grinding away on various pro - exempt players 6 through 12 from made absolutely nothing.” different situation.” fessional tours, putting Q-school. Knowing that winning the playoff Skinner’s duties at River Pointe tFhousands of miles on whatever car he Both Skinner and Jim Carter faced would guarantee him at least a few starts include some administrative work, some happened to be driving at the time. short birdie putts on the second hole of early in the season, Skinner says he was teaching and efforts “to try to promote Skinner has enjoyed some success here sudden death Carter made his and “bummed out that I didn’t get that spot. the game of golf.” Juggling his schedule and there, winning twice on what used Skinner missed, leaving Carter as the But I shot four low scores in a row and between the needs of the club and his to be known as the Ben Hogan (now first non-exempt player from 2011 Q- played the best I played all year. extensive mix of Champions Tour and Nationwide) Tour and playing full school and Skinner in the second spot.

Georgia PGA Section events “is diffi -

time for four years on the PGA Tour in Because medalist Jeff Freeman doesn’t C I

R cult,” Skinner says, with conflicting E

the 1990s. turn 50 until April, Carter will get into M A

F tournament dates adding to the deci -

From 1990-2004, Skinner competed the first few tournaments on the O A

G sions he has to make. P

on either the PGA Tour or the next level schedule with Skinner next in line. 8 0

0 Much of Skinner’s success as a down in golf’s pecking order. Although Unfortunately for Skinner, his status 2 © player has come since he transi - there were some lean years along the way, will provide him no more than a min - tioned from full time tour player to he was able to play full time as a tour pro imum number of starts this year, with his primarily a PGA competitor. In before being limited to a small number hopes of gaining entry into Champions recent years he has made two of unproductive starts in 2005. Tour events hinging on his success in appearances in the PGA Skinner began transitioning from his Monday qualifiers preceding most tour Championship, played on two career as a tour player in 2006, taking a stops. winning PGA Cup teams along job as a manufacturer’s representative. As a result, Skinner will do what he’s with fellow PGA members and He also worked for a brief period as a done since leaving the tour full time — has been a major player at the national level in PGA kinner Sonny S events, both before and after turning 50. “To be Player of the Year “I’ve never been a great player,” says Skinner. “I’m proud of the fact I —Sonny Skinner played on the PGA Tour, but I’ve mostly is pretty cool.” been on the outside, I just tried to find a little peephole and stick my head in.” caddy for Allen Doyle on the Champions divide his schedule between playing in “It just wasn’t good enough.” Tour before becoming a club profes - tour events, competing in Georgia PGA Going into the 2012 Champions Tour sional at Pine Knoll CC, a 9-hole course tournaments and seeing to his duties as schedule, Skinner says, “I’m not sure in the community of Sylvester, Skinner’s the head PGA professional at River how much I’m going to get to play.” Dunlap [ Continued from page 10 ] home town. Pointe GC in Albany. The Champions Tour has raised the In his first season playing a full Since joining the staff at River Pointe, number of Monday qualifiers who will Georgia PGA schedule, Skinner topped Skinner has been encouraged by the get spots in the field from four to seven, British Isles since in an effort to qualify the Divots points list to earn Player of club’s owner to play as full a tournament and that will be the primary path for for the event. the Year honors in 2006. He placed schedule as possible, and he came very Skinner to get into events this year. But two years after his career best second, third and fourth in the standings close to being able to play an extensive The one tournament in which he season, Dunlap lost his status on the in consecutive years from 2008-10, and Champions Tour schedule this year. doesn’t have to worry about qualifying PGA Tour and needed almost a decade has made his mark at the national PGA After scores of 67-68-69, Skinner for is the Senior PGA Championship, to get it back. He nearly regained it in level, claiming PGA Player of the Year began the final round tied for 17th and one of just two Champions Tour events 2005, when he came within one stroke honors in 2008 and twice finishing as figured he needed to shoot 65 to jump he played in last year. of getting into a playoff in the BellSouth runner-up in the PGA Professional into the top five. After 13 holes, Skinner Skinner tied for 45th in the Senior Classic, playing his way into the field in National Championship. was 5-under on the day at the TPC PGA Championship last year at Valhalla a Monday qualifier. Until this year, he Skinner turned 50 during the summer Scottsdale course, but admitted he in Louisville, Ky., finishing as low club had not played in another PGA Tour of 2010, and has made a handful of starts “started getting nervous” and bogeyed pro in the tournament. He tied for 10th event since the final tour stop at on the Champions Tour since. He made the next two holes. A late birdie gave him in the PGA Senior PNC in Virginia to Sugarloaf in 2008. it to the finals of qualifying in 2010 and a 67 on the day and a tie for sixth, one earn a spot in this year’s Senior PGA Dunlap has long had mixed feelings repeated that feat last year, narrowly shot behind the player who finished Championship, which will be played about the PGA Tour, frankly admitting missing a top five finish to earn exempt solo fifth. May 24-27 in Michigan. that he enjoys life more on the status on this year’s tour. “I was really pleased with the way I Those two results, plus his first place Nationwide Tour. In last year’s finals, played in played,” Skinner said from Florida finish in the PGA’s Winter Series in “The PGA Tour is a lonely place. It’s Scottsdale, Ariz., in mid-November, recently after playing in a PGA Winter Florida, enabled Skinner to earn PGA great if you’re playing good, but it’s mis - Skinner put together four straight Series tournament. “I hit the ball well all Senior Player of the Year honors, just erable if you’re not.”

16 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2012 2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 Griffin Classic back on Georgia PGA schedule Match Play event returns to early season date

By Mike Blum playoff victory over Spratlin. Weinhart will lead a group of 10 Georgia PGA he 2012 Georgia PGA tour - members into the 2012 PGA PNC, nament schedule gets off to an which will be played June 24-27 in earlier-than-usual start this northern California. year, as one event makes its The Georgia PGA Senior PNC will be rTeturn and another changes its date from played Sept. 10-11 at Pinetree CC, with near the end of the season to among the that event serving as both the Section’s first to be held. Senior Championship as well as its qual - The Griffin Classic, which was last ifier for the Senior PNC. Danny Elkins played in 2009, is back on the schedule won last year’s event at Green Island CC this year, but instead of its traditional in Columbus. mid-Summer date, will open the Georgia After 17 years at Canongate courses on PGA season March 5-6. Atlanta’s south side, the Georgia The 18th hole at The Legends at Chateau Elan The tournament, which was first Women’s Open moves to Callaway played in 1992, has included most of the Gardens and will be played on a weekend Section’s top players among its cham - date likely to attract a larger field, with straight year, hosting the Atlanta Open (June 23-24) for the first time. Dori pions. Stephen Keppler won the second less chance of conflicts for some of the June 11-12. Stevens won last year at The Carter won last year in a playoff over Griffin Classic in 1992, shooting an Section’s top players. Frog. The tournament has had 15 dif - Lacey Agnew , with both players com - opening round 62 in which he played his Weinhart won the Match Play ferent winners the last 15 years. peting on the LPGA Tour this year. last 10 holes in 10-under par. Championship for the second time last The Georgia Open is back at the Team events in 2012 include the Pro- year, defeating Winston Legends at Chateau Elan for the first Pro Scramble (March 20 at Sugarloaf); Trively in the finals. time since 2005, with the tournament the Pro-Assistant (May 28 at Marietta GEORGIA PGA The last time the scheduled for Aug. 2-5. The Legends CC) and the Pro-Pro Championship tournament was hosted the event three times between (Dec. 10-11 at Sea Island GC). played at the UGA 2002 and ’05, with Weinhart scoring a The biennial Peters Cup between the 2012 Preview course, David Potts rare win by a Georgia PGA member in Georgia PGA and GSGA is moving from scored a somewhat sur - ’04. Former tour players Jody Bellflower odd to even years beginning in 2012 to Among other winners since then are prising victory, defeating Koch, Skinner and Tim Conley were the other accommodate the GSGA tournament Phil Taylor , Ed Everett , Tommy and Weinhart en route to a season- two champions at the Legends during schedule. The Georgia PGA won deci - Brannen , Tim Weinhart , Sonny opening victory in 2010. that stretch. sively last year at Capital City Club’s Skinner , Clark Spratlin , Craig Stevens , Matt Peterson , the head professional Tour player Jay McLuen , a frequent Crabapple Course to break a four-match John Godwin , Jeff Hull and Shawn at the UGA course, won at Callaway recent contender in the tournament, losing streak. Koch. Skinner won the event in 2000 Gardens in 2009, with other recent won last year at Barnsley Gardens, This year’s matches are scheduled for while he was still a full-time tour player, winners including Koch, Greg Lee , the site of the event three of the last Oct. 21-22, and are expected to move to with current PGA Tour member Kris Skinner, Weinhart, Spratlin, Gregg four years. Capital City Club’s recently renovated Blanks winning in ’03 while an assistant Wolff and Stevens. The Section Championship will be Brookhaven course. at The Landings in Savannah. The rest of the 2012 Georgia PGA played at its long time host Sea Island Jennings Mill assistant Seth McCain schedule will be almost identical to that GC Aug. 27-29, but this will be just the won the last Griffin Classic in ’09, of 2011 other than some new sites. second time the tournament has been Todd (Continued from page 8) scoring his second straight Section vic - The Georgia Senior Open will be held on the Plantation Course. Peterson tory of the season. The most memorable played May 14-15 at Newnan CC, the won on Plantation in 2007, with Seaside Griffin Classic was played two years ear - second straight year the tournament has and Retreat the more frequent hosts in Chris Kirk , Todd’s teammate for four lier, when Hull scored a hole-in-one on been played there. Stevens won in his recent years. years and a fellow part of the Bulldogs’ the 18th hole of the final round to break first Senior Open start in 2011, running Keppler, who had not won a Section 2005 NCAA Championship team, is a tie with Stevens, who had won the away from the field in the final round. event in more than seven years, captured among that group, and was a winner as a tournament three years earlier. Tour player Javier Sanchez had won the his fourth Section Championship title in PGA Tour rookie in 2011. The Georgia PGA Match Play two previous years at Callaway Gardens, 2011, but just his first since 1996. Todd points out that the two have fol - Championship has been played at var - but did not play last year due to a con - The Section’s qualifier for the PGA lowed “different career paths.” It took ious times during the year, and was held flict with a senior mini-tour event. PNC, the national club professional Kirk a few years to make his mark as a late in the schedule in 2011. This year it Chicopee Woods and Berkeley Hills championship, moves to the Standard tour pro, but he broke through with a big returns to an earlier spot on the calendar, will again host Section tournaments, Club and will be played Oct. 1-2. This year on the Nationwide Tour in 2010, and will be played March 26-28 at the with those events scheduled for will be the first time the Standard Club and followed that with an outstanding UGA course in Athens. Last year’s tour - May 21-22 and July 9-10 respectively. has hosted the event, with the 2007 rookie season on the PGA Tour last year. nament was scheduled to be played at Spratlin won the Chicopee Woods event Atlanta Open the only other Section “He’s one of those guys who continues UGA, but was switched to in 2011, with Bill Murchison outlasting points event played at the club. to give me hope,” says Todd, who will Chattahoochee GC in Gainesville. Hull in a 7-hole playoff at Berkeley Hills. Weinhart won last year at Ansley Golf find a lot more fellow ex-Bulldogs on the The 2011 tournament drew a smaller Chattahoochee GC will be the site of a Club’s Settindown Creek, wrapping up PGA Tour than when he was a rookie field than usual, with this year’s earlier Section tournament for the second his seventh Player of the Year title with a in 2009.

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2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 Henley leads Georgians on Nationwide Tour Swafford, Haley also among state’s rookies A L K O O I S

he 2012 Nationwide Tour tees T former Georgia Tech golfer Nicholas R off this month in South A Thompson regained his exempt status in America with a mostly veteran Q-school. Thompson was 6th in his first contingent among the 20 season on the Nationwide Tour in 2007 TGeorgians competing on the tour this year. and spent four years on the PGA Tour, Six Georgians graduated from the placing as high as 41st in 2008. 2011 Nationwide Tour to the 2012 PGA Several other Georgians have non- Tour, while seven players with ties to the exempt status on the tour. Among state earned Nationwide Tour status in them are: the finals of Q-school. Former Alpharetta resident Brent Leading the way among the new - Delahoussaye , was 86th on the money comers is Macon’s Russell Henley , who list last year, his fifth season on the won last year’s Stadion Classic at UGA as Nationwide Tour. Delahoussaye, who a member of the Bulldogs’ golf team. graduated from Clemson and now lives in Henley graduated shortly after his vic - Greenville, S.C., played on the PGA Tour tory and remained an amateur for the in 2010. remainder of the summer to compete on Georgia Tech grad Matt Weibring is the U.S. Walker Cup team. back on the Nationwide Tour full time after playing primarily on the PGA Tour in 2009 and ’10. Weibring was 87th last NATIONWIDE TOUR year, his sixth on the Nationwide Tour. He was 24th on the Nationwide Tour in ’08 to earn his first shot at the PGA Tour. 2012 Preview Clayton Rask , who has moved to Locust Grove from his native Minnesota, Henley was able to make only two Russell Henley was 92nd on the money list as a starts on the tour after turning pro, but Nationwide Tour rookie. Rask, who made his win in Athens has earned him exempt his tour debut in the Stadion Classic at status on the Nationwide Tour this year Georgia Tech grad, was tied for ninth Tour, and is a Vidalia native who has set - UGA in 2010, made it to the finals of even though he failed to advance to the after three rounds, but shot back-to-back tled on St. Simons Island. He won the Q-school for the second straight year. He finals of Q-school. 74s the next two days and missed by 1992 Georgia Amateur shortly after was 33rd at the midway point with scores The veteran among the newcomers is four strokes. completing his college career at Georgia. of 67 and 68, but shot 82-78 the next two Augusta’s Scott Parel , who turns 47 this Six Georgians placed in the top 60 on Former Roswell resident and ex-UGA rounds to fall out of contention. spring and played six years on the tour the 2011 money list to retain exempt golfer Justin Bolli was 57th on last year’s Former Georgia Southern standout between 2003 and ’09. Parel missed status this year. money list, his poorest showing in five Aron Price is back on the Nationwide earning his PGA Tour card by one shot Albany’s Josh Broadaway was among Nationwide Tour seasons. Bolli, 36, has Tour after three seasons as a PGA Tour in the finals of Q-school. the top 25 for much of the season, but earned promotions to the PGA Tour member. Price played well in his three Reid Edstrom , who grew up in struggled over the final two months and three times since 2004 by finishing 11th years on the Nationwide Tour from 2006- Norcross and has settled in Auburn, Ala., finished 28th. Broadaway, 33, has played or better on the Nationwide Tour. Bolli, 08, but was unable to achieve fully after playing his college golf there, will be on the Nationwide Tour the last six years, the 2003 Georgia Open champion, exempt status during his PGA Tour stay. playing his second season on the tour. with 2011 the best season of his career. is 14th on the career money list with Duluth’s Brent Witcher and former Edstrom, 37, has spent most of his career Ringgold’s Luke List also spent much $1.13 million. UGA golfer Richard Scott both reached on regional mini-tours, with his lone of 2011 inside the top 25, but wound up LaFayette’s John Kimbell was 59th in the finals of Q-school, but finished well Nationwide season coming in 2008. A 38th. He made a run at a top 25 finish at earnings in his fifth season on the tour, back after 108 holes and will have limited 78 in the fourth round in the finals of Q-school, but came up two shots short, making it into the top 60 the final week status on tour. Q-school seemingly knocked Edstrom largely due to a 77 in the second round. of the season. Kimbell, 43, won in After three tournaments in South and out of contention, but he came back the This will be List’s third full season on the Valdosta as a rookie in 2007, and has Central America, the Nationwide Tour next day with a 63 to jump from 78th to Nationwide Tour after a heralded ama - contended a handful of times since, plays its first U.S. tournament in 24th. Needing to shoot a 71 the final day teur career that included appearances in including a tie for fourth last year in Louisiana in late March, and makes a to qualify for the PGA Tour, Edstrom the Masters and U.S. Open after a Louisiana, when he shot a 61 in the swing through Georgia, playing April 26- closed with a 74. runner-up finish in the 2005 U.S. final round. 29 in Valdosta and May 3-6 in Athens. Hudson Swafford and Paul Haley Amateur. Former Clayton State golfer Will The tour also visits upstate South both qualified for the Nationwide Tour Paul Claxton is back on the Wilcox was 36th in his rookie season, Carolina, Raleigh, N.C. and Knoxville, straight out of college. Swafford, who Nationwide Tour for a 14th season after recording two top-3 finishes in his first but its annual stop in Chattanooga has played on Georgia’s 2011 NCAA runner- another solid showing in 2011. Claxton five starts, including his first event of the dropped off the schedule. The up team, fired a 65 in the fifth round of was 40th in earnings to boost his career year in Athens. Wilcox missed his PGA Nationwide Tour will again play a late- the qualifying finals to begin the final totals to more than $1.5 million, second Tour card by four shots in the finals season event in Jacksonville, with the day tied for 24th, but shot 74 to miss the on the all-time money list. Claxton, 44, of qualifying. Tour Championship moving to Dallas PGA Tour by two strokes. Haley, a 2011 has also played four seasons on the PGA After finishing 61st on the money list, this year from Charleston, S.C.

20 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2012 2012 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 r Golf! rs of Junio Golf FORE Juniors ing 10 Yea Celebrat Play the Reasons to r! Top Junior Tou GA lationship a P lifetime re Connelly, Gentry orgi [ Fun, Ge e ing events bership fe build r Series lower mem d Summe X New d Expande ically price ] Econom chedule Y ome s Division Players of Year to h ally uate & close profession New Grad petitive & ^ 21 Most com r ages 19- s Z olf program fo courses a Justin Connelly of McDonough won five Alpharetta’s Spencer Yi took third at 151 n junior g such great ru _ Play East Lake eorgia Ridge GC, of the six Georgia PGA Junior Tour tourna - and Brandon Alsobrook of Powder in G ted events Hawk’s BE exemp a Island GC ments he competed in last year to earn Springs was fourth at 153. AJGA P ents GC and Se \ le tournam & all 36-ho Player of the Year honors in the boys 16-18 Albany’s Joshua Crews shot 153 to finish ked are JGS ran division over Duluth’s Spencer Cokely. two strokes ahead of Connelly in the 16-18 Brett Barron of Suwanee was the 14-15 division. Womack shot 162 to edge Player of the Year with two wins and 8 of Schniederjans by one stroke in the 11-13 8 top-5 finishes. Nickolaus Budd of age group. Woodstock was second. Ben Womack of Midland was the 11-13 Player of the Year with two wins and a second in three Holm, Harris win starts, edging out Luke Schniederjans of Powder Springs. SJGT ’12 opener Darby Gentry of Braselton had four The Southeastern Junior Golf Tour wins and was 7 of 7 in top-3 finishes to take opened its 2012 schedule last month, with Player of the Year honors of girls 15-18 Georgians sweeping all five age group titles SignSign uupp & ggetett ththee ddetailsetails ahead of Roswell’s Jessica Haigwood. at Sanctuary Cove in Waverly. aatt ggeorgiapga.com!eorrggiaapga.com! Julia Hilson of Thomasville was either first Alpharetta’s Ben Holm shot 73-70—143 or second in all six of her starts to win Player to win boys 16-19 by five strokes. Spencer of the Year honors in the 11-14 division. Yi won the 14-15 division by four strokes Kayley Marschke of Suwanee was second. with a 150 total. Luukas Alakulppi of Hilson and Womack were the lone Valdosta shot 148 to take the 12-13 title by Players of the Year to also win a division title seven strokes. in the 2011 Tour Championship, played in Katy Harris of St. Simons won the girls December at Sea Island Golf Club’s Retreat 15-19 title by three shots at 155, with Course. Hilson won her age group by 18 Kayley Marschke taking the 12-14 division strokes with a 179 total. Haigwood shot 149 by two strokes over Megan Sabol of to easily win the 15-18 division. Martinez at 159. Preferred Rates on Jonathan Keppler of Marietta was the In a late 2011 SJGT event at Valdosta’s boys overall and 14-15 winner with scores Kinderlou Forest, Georgia juniors also won Golf & Travel with the of 68-79—147. Barron was second at 150, all five divisions. Winners were: Riley Davenport , Georgia PGA Golf Pass Woodstock (boys 16-19), 71-74—145; Jessica Matthew Beringer , Macon (14-15), Haigwood *Over $1000 of Free Golf 71-74—145; Alakulppi (11-13), 156; Ji Eun Baik , Newnan (girls 15-19), 70-79—149; z Over 35 FREE rounds of golf with cart rental Megan Carter , Blackshear (11-14), 159. z Preferred Discounted Rates at over 100 Courses! In the season-ending Tournament of z Private Country Club Access — Play Private Golf Clubs! Champions at Montgomery CC, Sabrina Travel: Book Tickets/Hotels Online & Save Hundreds z Long of Alpharetta was the girls 12-14 on Your Next Trip! winner at 155. Janet Mao of Johns Creek z Restaurants: Save Money at Thousands of Restaurants Nationwide! was second at 156 and Jordan Daniel of Newnan took third at 157. Baik was second gapgagolfpass.com in the 15-19 division at 147, one stroke behind the winner. Hunter Dunagan of Martinez shot 154 Jonathan to win boys 12-13 by one stroke. Brett Pays for Keppler Barron tied for first in the 14-15 division at Itself in One $49.95 70-75—145, with Jacob Joiner of Albany or Two Uses Membership and Matthew Beringer tying for third at 145. Will McFarlin of Milton and Emerson Newsome of Dacula tied for third in 16-18 at 144, one stroke behind the winning score.

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