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GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« FEBRUARY 2009 Better ’09 for state’s PGA Tour pros? Love, Howell off to quick early starts By Mike Blum nament in ’08, as did former sixth in regular season points for the ’09 opener, placing him within range of or most of Georgia’s contingent Bulldog . FedEdCup and ninth on the final money the top 50 in the World Rankings and a on the PGA Tour, the 2008 The rest of Georgia’s PGA Tour mem - list with almost $4 million. Masters berth. season was not a particularly bers had to wait another week or two to Cink’s ‘08 season was divided into two Imada scored his first PGA Tour win in F memorable one, although there start their ’09 campaigns, with a common disparate halves; before and after his win in four seasons in , but will not get the were some exceptions. theme the hope that this year will be a Hartford. Other than his participation on opportunity to defend his title in the Duluth’s more successful one than 2008. the team, Cink’s post-victory defunct AT&T Classic. Imada had a pair and Sea Island’s Davis On the surface, Cink’s ‘08 season was an highlights were non-existent. And as well of runner-up finishes among three top- Love opened the extremely successful one. He scored his as he played the first six months of the fives early in ’08 and a near win in the Fall 2009 season in the first win in five years in Hartford, the site season, he let a win get away in Tampa and Series, ending the season 13th in earnings Mercedes-Benz of his first PGA Tour victory as a rookie in did not put up much of a fight in the with over $3 million. Imada’s success Championship in 1997. He was part of a victorious Ryder finals against . stemmed largely from an outstanding year , a reward Cup team for the first time in four starts, Statistically, it was a solid season for the with the putter, which produced a succes - for winning a tour - and enjoyed his best ever finish in the former Georgia Tech great. But he con - sion of strong final rounds and offset some Masters (solo third). Cink was fifth in the tinued to miss fairways at a surprisingly awful stats in the ball striking categories. PGA Tour’s all-around statistical category, high rate (181st in driving accuracy), while The 32-year-old Imada closed out 2008 by struggling with his short game (142nd in helping lead to a third place finish in scrambling). the . Love was headed for his worst season in The list of Georgians who would just as 20-plus years on the PGA Tour before a soon forget 2008 begins with Augusta late surge in the Fall Finish revived his native Charles Howell . His earnings career at the age of 44. After a season-best ($1.45 million) were the lowest of his eight finish of T19 in his first 17 starts, Love seasons on the PGA Tour, with two of his placed sixth or better three times in his last four top-10 finishes coming in the Fall six starts, including a season-ending win at Series. As usual, Howell missed lots of fair - Disney, the 20th of his career. ways and putts, with his only redeeming After finishing 154th in regular season stat a first place finish in scoring average FedExCup points to miss the playoffs, on 5s. Howell turns 30 in June, and Love ended ’08 with almost $1.7 million there are probably not a lot of PGA Tour in earnings (48th). But other than driving followers who would have predicted he G

R distance, his stats were pretty dismal across would have just two victories in his 20s. E B N I

D the board even with his strong finish,

E Davis Love III V E T S which carried over to a tie for second in his [ See Georgians, page 6 ] P C I U S O S R G A L E C G A N M I O I

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How does anyone choose a putter? PUBLISHER Golf Media, Inc. By Ted Fort straight through stroke with a square face. dition of the left wrist. Although it is impor - John Barrett PGA Golf Professional It’s similar to the action of a dog’s door, and tant to have a flat left wrist in the full Marietta Golf Center some equate the motion to that of a pen - stroke, it’s not as important in the putting dulum. The following things tend to be the stroke. But, it’s extremely important the EDITOR Mike Blum Have you ever played with case for this player: sees the wrist remain in the condition that it began. putter head move on a straight Maintaining a flat left wrist would be CONTRIBUTORS someone that couldn’t putt Ted Fort line, keeps the face square, placing a ruler under your watch and not the ball in an ocean with three Jackie Cannizzo, Women’s Golf Editor holds the grip in the middle of breaking it. A bent left wrist would be chances? Even more impor - Steve Dinberg the palm, holds the club very breaking the ruler. If your left wrist starts tantly, are you that person? Lake-Finlay Image Group upright, feels no release, and flat or bent, keep it in that condition during Anyone that has ever played Joseph Field aligns the face of the putter to the entire stroke. We will define releasing the game understands the Georgia Golf Course Owners Association the hole. as the closing of the face while main - whimsical nature of putting. Cindy Acree, Executive Director Even some of the greatest Player B: Others allow taining the left wrist condition, and the the face to open and close, word we use for this is roll. golfers in history, like Hogan MARKETING & ADVERTISING and Watson, became frustrated with it. It’s which would be similar to the action of a To keep this article shorter than“War and J.R. Ross, Sales Representative a part of the game that allows all players, saloon door. This player sees the putter Peace”, we are going to end with two addi - Rick Holt, Corporate Sales amateurs or pros, males or females, begin - head making a blurred arc on the ground. tional points. Firstly, the feel of roll exists for For this player, these characteristics tend to those using heel shafted putters. And, the ners or veterans, to empathize with the ART DIRECTOR Tour player that misses a four footer. exist: sees the putter head move in an arc, feel of no roll exists for those using a face Lori Montgomery One thing to understand is that there’s allows the face to open and close, holds balanced putter. The shaft will rotate [email protected] no“one way” to accomplish the task of get - the putter closer to the fingers than the around a club’s center of gravity. Therefore, palm, holds the club flatter, feels a release, if the club is face balanced, the shaft runs ting the ball in the hole. But, with this in GEORGIA SECTION , PGA OF AMERICA mind, it’s important to understand that and aligns the face of the putter slightly to through the club’s center of gravity. And, it PRESIDENT some characteristics go together. Without the right of the hole. results in the feeling of no roll. Jim Arendt, Chicopee Woods Golf Course going into infinite detail, I will explain what For those that like to keep things Secondly, because the ball compresses some strokes have in common. In order to uncomplicated, player “A” should play with against the face, there is a small interval of VICE -PRESIDENT choose a putter that matches your style, a face balanced putter. And, player “B” time in which the ball is stuck to the face. Patrick Richardson, Wilmington Island Club you must understand how to qualify your should play with a heel shafted putter. If For the player that uses a closing face, it style. you’re a“feel player” and that’s all you need should be open at address, open at impact, SECRETARY Player A: There are players that attempt to know, stop reading. and square at separation (when the ball Brian Stubbs, Country Club of Columbus to keep the face of the putter square The two putters in the top of the picture leaves). For the player that keeps the face during the entire stroke. These are the are face balanced, one with an S shaped square, it should be square at address, HONORARY PRESIDENT players that feel a straight back and shaft and one with a center shaft. And, the square at impact, and square at separation. Danny Elkins, Georgia Golf Center two putters in the bottom of the picture For this reason, it is IMPERATIVE to have are heel shafted or not face balanced. your putter fit to your desired pattern. The BOARD OF DIRECTORS For others that require a greater depth days of choosing a putter based on name Bud Robison, West Point, Ga of understanding, we’re going to dig a little brand, cool colors, or price are history. Marten Olsson, The Club at River Forest deeper. It is not mandatory that all of the And, for the “feel player” that kept Steve Godley, Jekyll Island Golf Club characteristics listed in player “A” or player reading, I warned you to stop. For the engi - Bob Elmore, Bacon Park GC “B” have to co-exist, but they tend to co- neers that need more information, I’d be Shawn McKinnon, Berkeley Hills CC exist. One of the things that I’ve mentioned happy to respond to any questions that Richard Hatcher, Ansley GC is the release of the putter. We need to you might have. Jeff Dunovant, First Tee of East Lake define the word“release” as there are many Scott Mahr, Barnsley Gardens Resort misguided efforts to do so. Ted U. Fort, Jr. Clark Spratlin, Blue Ridge Golf & River Club I know that Tiger discussed the positive 2006 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year Dan Mullins, Classic Golf Management effect that releasing the putter had for him. www.mariettagolfcenter.com Josh Williams, Savannah Golf Club So, to begin, we have to describe the con - [email protected] Rodger Hogan, Royal Lakes Golf & CC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mike Paull TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR Pat Day

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U OPERATIONS MANAGER Jeff Ashby S t PGA Tour preview ...... 8 Chip Shots and Golf Talk ...... 18 Traci Waters S SECTION ASSISTANT s I

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4 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2009 2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 P G U R O E R B G N I

Georgians take aim E D G E A V M E I T Y S A L

at ‘09 PGA Tour N I F -

[ Continued from the cover ] E K A L

Barring a third PGA Tour victory, Howell will not be in the field for the 2009 Masters, but a fourth place finish in his season opener in Hawaii showed a flash of his past play. Fellow Augustan , a member of the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team, Ryuji Imada has fallen even farther than Howell, entering ’09 outside the top 200 in the World Rankings. Taylor, 32, earned just and 181 in the two primary putting cate - over $1 million last season (98th), and did gories. Matteson managed to close out the not lock up his exempt status until a tie for season with back-to-back top 10s in second in the next-to-last tournament of Fall Finish events, with his best showing of Charles Howell the season. Taylor’s stats were not as bad as ’08 coming early in the season in Tampa, his results, but some indifferent final round where he tied for second. He finished 89th play did not help his cause. It was the first with $1.2 million. third in Charlotte enabled Bohn to nar - but with that aspect of his game slipping, time in his 5-year career that Taylor fin - Putting also was the main stumbling rowly finish inside the top 125 on the he has not posted a top-10 finish either of ished outside the top 70 in earnings. block for Alpharetta resident Heath money list, and he entered ’09 hoping to the last two seasons. Sea Island’s dropped Slocum , who enjoyed a typical season by enjoy his first healthy season since 2006. Roswell’s Justin Bolli and Vidalia native from 42nd on the money list to 101st, with his standards, earning $1.49 million to Former Georgia Tech golfer Matt Paul Claxton finished 158 and 218 respec - his Sunday struggles (148 in final round finish 63rd, his seventh straight year in the Kuchar enjoyed his best year since his tively on the money list and will return to scoring average) and poor greens in regula - top 80. Slocum matched Matteson with rookie season of 2002, finishing 70th with the Nationwide Tour this year. Larry Mize tion stats (149) among the major reasons. five top-10 finishes, contending in $1.45 million. Kuchar nearly scored his made his Champions Tour debut late last Byrd enjoyed a respectable season on the Hartford and Atlanta and finishing with second career win late last season in Las year and will be joined in May by Bob greens, but was unable to convert on his the low final round score in the U.S. Open Vegas, and added top 10 finishes on three Tway , who was 132nd in earnings last year chances to contend, with a tie for fourth in to tie for eighth. Slocum was third in fair - of the tour’s most respected courses and will play a handful of PGA Tour events Atlanta his only top 10 in a stroke play ways hit and first in proximity to the hole (Harbour Town, Colonial, Muirfield before turning 50. event. on approach shots, but his struggles with Village). Kuchar was among the tour’s top Joining the PGA Tour this year are five Recent Georgia Tech standout and the putter prevented him from fully capital - scramblers, helping offset his status as one Georgians, four who played college golf in Atlanta area resident Troy Matteson took a izing on his opportunities. of the game’s shorter hitters. the state. All five finished in the second straight backwards step after an is glad 2008 has come and Ex-Georgia Bulldog is at Nationwide Tour’s top 25 last year. excellent rookie season in 2006. Unlike gone, but not for reasons on the golf the other end of the driving distance chart, Warner Robins native and former Byrd, Matteson had a solid season from a course. For the second straight year, Bohn’s leading in that category for the third Georgia PGA member Kris Blanks will be ball striking standpoint, but ranked 163 season was shortened by injury, with com - straight year with a 315-yard average. a PGA Tour rookie in ’09 along with ’07 U. plications from back surgery sidelining him Although he ended up 58th with more of Georgia graduate , ex- for four months. Bohn, an Acworth resi - than $1.5 million, Watson managed to Georgia Tech golfer Matt Weibring and dent, returned for the last two events of the finish in the top 30 in the final FedExCup recent Georgia Southern standout Aron season, and managed to retain his exempt standings to earn a return trip to Augusta, Price . Former Georgia Tech standout status despite making just 15 starts. A sixth just missing his first win in the Buick returns to the PGA Tour place finish in the Heritage Classic and a Open. Watson also hit plenty of greens, but after a one-year absence. too many missed fairways and putts kept him from taking full advantage of his prodigious length off the tee. In just his second season on the PGA Weir Scholarship Tour, recent Georgia Tech golfer Nicholas Thompson was on the both the points and deadline money lists, earning $1.87 million. Thompson nearly scored his first win in his approaching native Florida late in the season, one of four The deadline for applications for Weir top-5 finishes in ‘08. Thompson finished Scholarships for 2009-10 is March 4. third in total driving, but will need to The Weir Scholarships are for high improve his greens in regulation stats if he school seniors who are employed or hopes for a repeat showing in ’09. are the dependents of employees at Atlanta’s has lost his golf course facilities in Georgia with a exempt status for the first time since his professional who is a member of the rookie season of 1988, slipping to 193rd on PGA. The scholarships include full the money list. The popular veteran will be tuition, room and board and school- able to play a healthy schedule thanks to related supplies for the school of the sponsor exemptions, but with the applicant's choice.

P Champions Tour still five years away, he U

O Information can be found at R

G may be looking to transition from the E

G www.weir-foundation.org or by con - A

M course to the broadcast booth. Andrade’s I tacting Mike McCollum at Y A

L deft putting touch has kept him competi - N I 706-573-2255. F

E tive despite other deficiencies in his play, K A L

6 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2009 2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 Tiger’s return main focus of ’09 PGA Tour Questions also remain for other veteran players

PREVIEW as opposed to playing with an injury produced some drama in limited engage - that has not fully healed. ments. PGA Tour Most of the early commentary on The U.S. Open is back at Bethpage State Woods’ return leans in the direction Park in suburban , where Woods of his being better than ever thanks bested by three strokes in By Mike Blum to having two fully functional knees for the 2002, the first time the public course had first time in a while. But there is the matter hosted a major event. The course is very s the PGA Tour began its 2009 of Woods adjusting to his surgically much tailored to power hitters, but is season last month in Hawaii, repaired knee and its ability to handle the reportedly going to be a little less daunting two questions dominated the tremendous stress he puts on it with his to short-to-medium hitters this year. outlook for the year ahead: powerful swing. The 2002 PGA Championship was AWhen will Tiger Woods return to active The simple fact is that no one knows played at Hazeltine in , and duty and how will his layoff since mid-June whether Woods will be better, worse or Woods was narrowly denied a third major of last year affect him? essentially the same when he makes his that year, with surviving a Woods has not played since his memo - return. Els may have returned too soon, furious finish by Tiger to score a surprise rable U.S. Open victory in 2008, and there and has seemingly paid a price for it. victory. The course has been altered signifi - has been considerable speculation when he Woods has typically performed well when cantly since its much-criticized U.S. Open will make his ’09 debut. Will it be the returning from relatively lengthy absences, debut in 1970, but was still conducive to Match Play Championship in Tucson late but this is new territory for him. His stan - scoring by non-bombers when it last hosted this month? The WGC event at Doral in dards will likely keep him out of the PGA. mid-March? ’s Bay Hill competition until he thinks he is fully pre - The wild card among the major venues Invitational two weeks before the Masters? pared, but this time he also has to factor in Tiger Woods this year is Turnberry, which will be the site The most optimistic date for his return whether the knee is sufficiently healed to of the British Open for just the fourth time. would be a little over eight months since hold up in the long term, which it was Gloves” Gainey . In the championship’s long history, only his last appearance, not a great deal of time unable to do the last time he had work As the 2009 season got under way, much seven 72-hole totals under 270 have missed considering the nature of his knee done on it. of the non-Woods attention was focused on been posted, four of them at Turnberry. injury. missed a comparable The PGA Tour suffered in Woods’ three of the game’s emerging stars, all of The Scottish course was the site of the amount of time with a less serious injury, absence the second half of the 2008 season, whom were involved in the duel for the classic - duel in and by some accounts, has not been the more in terms of perception than reality. 2008 . Garcia has risen 1977, with edging Jesper same player since. The TV ratings slumped significantly, as to second in the World Rankings, with Parnevik in another sub-par shootout Woods competed in the U.S. Open they always do when Woods is not com - Kim and Villegas both moving into the top in ’94. against doctor’s orders, and it’s hard to peting and contending, but outside the 10. But in 1986, the weather was not nearly imagine him not being in the field for the PGA Tour and a few broadcast network and Augusta native Charles as conducive to low scoring, with Norman Masters unless he is completely unable to headquarters, who really cares? Howell , two talented twenty-somethings winning by five strokes with an even par walk. As Woods displayed at Torrey Pines, The Woods-less portion of the 2008 who have underachieved to varying total of 280. For most of the likely con - he is eminently capable of winning a major PGA Tour schedule included some heroics degrees, both came up just short in their tenders, this will be the first time they have championship without a by veterans and Vijay attempts to win early in the season. Both played the course in competition, making healthy pair of legs. But it’s a Singh , along with the emergence of bud - were bested down the stretch by Zach for some uncertainty for most of the partic - little different playing ding stars and Camilo Johnson , who won for the second time in ipants, Woods among them. despite a painful injury Villegas . The unexpected resurgence of his last six starts going back to his Fall Woods is not the only veteran who invigorated the British Finish win in San Antonio. comes into the ’09 with some question Open until a tremendous closing rush by Johnson, who scored his first three Tour marks. Padraig Harrington , who won a tense wins in Georgia, joined the state’s PGA Phil Mickelson has not contended in a duel with rival Sergio Garcia in the PGA Tour contingent in the off-season, moving major since his 72nd hole meltdown at Championship one month later. to the warmer climes of St. Simons Island Winged Foot in 2006. With his 40th Like Woods did in 2007, Singh denied from his native Iowa. birthday a year away, he still has plenty of the FedExCup race an exciting finish by There is a chance Johnson, Love and game, but does he have the mental tough - wrapping up the points title before the Jonathan Byrd will be able to play a PGA ness to claim a fourth major title? Tour Championship. But that did not pre - Tour event on what has become their home won four times in eight vent the first down-to-the-wire finish at turf, as the Tour is attempting to secure a starts — all against strong fields — to close East Lake since 2000, with four of the title sponsor for a Fall Finish event that out the 2008 season, but recently under - game’s biggest names engaging in a crowd- would be played at Sea Island Golf Club went minor knee surgery. At the age of 46, pleasing shootout down the stretch. the first week in November. how long can he maintain his game at such After losing three straight Ryder Cups The tournament in San Antonio has an elite level? with Woods in the lineup, the Americans taken the place of Atlanta’s long time tour Ernie Els turns 40 later this year, and scored a decisive win at Valhalla sans Tiger, stop in the FedExCup portion of the given his results the past few years, appears a feat some of Woods’ worshipers found schedule. Coupled with the demise of the much less likely than Mickelson or Singh to difficult to comprehend. Ginn-sponsored event in Florida, the Fall add a fourth major title to his resume. Even the mostly ignored Fall Finish pro - Finish has been reduced from seven tourna - Padraig Harrington also has a trio of G

duced a few fireworks, as all seven ments to five, six if a sponsor can be found majors to his credit, taking three of the last R E B N tournaments were decided in either a for the Sea Island event. six, but his recent success has overshadowed I D E V

playoff or by one stroke, concluding with The three majors with rotating venues the fact that no other European player has E T S Y

an entertaining battle between the odd visit courses that have not hosted that won a major in the 21st century. B S O T

couple of Davis Love and Tommy “Two many championships, but all three have O H P

FEBRUARY 2009 2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 PGA Tour tweaks FedExCup – again Latest changes will ensure East Lake to decide winner

after the ’07 season, with an emphasis placed By Mike Blum on more movement in the standings during the playoff events. A sizeable bonus was hen the PGA Tour unveiled awarded for making the cut in the first two the FedExCup prior to the tournaments, which resulted in some players 2007 season, the hope was making big moves without doing much, W that the addition of three while those who missed the cut were severely new “playoff” events would help produce a penalized. Vijay Singh dramatic conclusion at the Tour This time, Vijay Singh won the first two Championship. playoff tournaments and had the FedExCup The PGA Tour set up a points system for title wrapped up before the Tour up with one that rewards players who per - both the regular season and playoffs, but the Championship. Even though Camilo form well during the regular system, initial attempt failed to produce much Villegas won the third playoff event plus the increases the benefits to those who play the interest during the regular season or volatility Tour Championship, a missed cut in the best in the playoffs and ensures that no one once the playoffs began. A handful of top playoff opener left him second behind will wrap up the FedExCup title prior to the players dominated the playoff events, with Singh. Tour Championship. Tiger Woods hoisting the first FedExCup With no Tiger and no drama, the Tour The Tour Championship appears to be absent from East Lake after missing the first trophy despite skipping the first of the four Championship drew minimal media cov - the biggest winner in the process, largely due two cuts in the playoffs. tournaments. Woods placed second, first and erage (almost all of it negative) and to the change in when the FedExCup points There will still be a chance for players to first in the next three, including a runaway minuscule TV ratings, so it was back to the are reset. make big moves in the standings in the play - win at East Lake to end what little suspense drawing board again for the PGA Tour. The previous two years, points earned offs, but they will have to play extremely existed in the points race. This time, the numbers crunchers who during the regular season were reset prior to well to do so, not just make the cut to move The points for the playoffs were tweaked devised the previous two formats have come the start of the playoffs, with players past players who don’t. awarded a specific number of points based And most importantly from the stand - on their position on the points list. point of the Tour Championship, there is no This year, points earned during the reg - chance the FedExCup championship will be ular season will carry over to the playoffs, decided prior to the tournament, with mul - ATLANTA’S OUTDOOR CENTER but will be greatly reduced from the num - tiple players having the opportunity to win bers awarded the first two years of the the title with a victory. 770-476-0777770-476-0777770-476-0777 FedExCup. Instead of tournament winners There are a few other changes this year USAHOMEWORKS.COMUSAHOMEWORKS.COM earning 4,500 points, they will now receive involving fields and tournament sites. The just 500, with slightly more for World Golf playoff opener in suburban New York moves Dreams Built Championships (550) and major champi - from the well-received Ridgewood CC to a onship winners (600). much-hyped newer facility (Liberty Since 1977 Winners of the playoff events will receive National). The field has been reduced from 2,500 points each, but to prevent one player 144 to 125, matching the spot on the from locking up the title prior to the Tour money list required to retain exempt status Decks Gazebos Championship, the points will not be reset for the next season. until after the BMW Championship, the The Deutsche Bank Championship will third of the three playoffs events leading to again be played Labor Day weekend in the East Lake. Boston area, with the only change a reduc - As a result of the new reset date and the tion in the field from 120 to 100. The change in points distribution, if any player BMW Championship (formerly Western in the top 5 after the reset wins the Tour Open) returns to its traditional home in Championship, he will also win the Chicago at a renovated Cog Hill, with the FedExCup. Mathematically, all 30 players in field remaining at 70. the Tour Championship field will have a The Tour Championship will be played O O DD YY chance to win the FedExCup, but the Sept. 24-27, giving its 30 qualifiers one week WW O O players near the bottom of the list will need off after a grueling stretch of golf. With a PorchesPorches ArborsArbors a lot of help from those at the top, who WGC event and the PGA Championship would have to play poorly at East Lake for just prior to the start of the playoffs, most of that to happen. the golf’s top players will have played five FAMILY OWNED The changes instituted this year seem to times in six weeks before the week off. & OPERATED have solved the various problems the Many of the players in the Tour FINANCING FedExCup has encountered in its brief Championship field will be back in action in AVAILABLE history. the after a one week respite, Having regular season points carry over making it seven high profile events in 10 G R

weeks. With the Ryder Cup played the week E through the first three weeks of the playoffs B N I

before the Tour Championship last year, D gives those events greater stature, and should E V E T prevent a repeat of last year, when two-time some players were competing for the seventh S Y B

time in nine weeks at East Lake. S

major champion Padraig Harrington was O T O

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2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 Roswell’s Justin Bolli almost won the Sugarloaf finale — finishing in a tie for fifth, qualified for the FedExCup playoffs Strong Georgia presence and made it to the second playoff event. Even though he finished with more than $458,000, it was not enough to retain his status on the PGA Tour, and he returns to the Nationwide Tour for a fourth season. on Nationwide Tour Bolli finished in the top 10 on the Nationwide Tour in 2004 and ’07, winning tournaments both seasons, to earn his two Veteran group seek to return to PGA Tour trips to the PGA Tour. But a season-long struggle with his putter in ’08 kept him from staying in golf’s major leagues. Other

C than his tie for fifth at Sugarloaf, the former By Mike Blum I S S A

L walk-on to the Georgia golf team placed C N O

here are only a handful of I higher than 30th in only one other tourna - T A D

Georgians who are fully exempt N ment. U O for the 2009 Nationwide Tour, F Paul Claxton had no more success in his L A N O

but the state will still have a I fourth PGA Tour season last year than he G E R

Tstrong presence on the tour, with both its S did in his first three. After placing between N E H

tournaments returning to the schedule. T 177 and 184 on the money list in three sea - The Athens Regional Foundation A sons spread out from 1997 to 2005, Classic and South Georgia Classic will be Claxton fell to 218th last year, making just played on consecutive weeks for the first 8 of 23 cuts with only two finishes better time. The Nationwide Tour will play at than 50th. Claxton, a Vidalia native who Jennings Mill Country Club for a fourth lives on St, Simons Island, left the straight year, with the ’09 tournament Nationwide Tour after an excellent ’07 scheduled for April 16-19, the week after season as the tour’s all-time leading money the Masters. winner, but returns as No. 2. The former Valdosta’s Kinderlou Forest will be the Georgia Bulldog will be playing his 11th host of a Nationwide Tour event for the season on the tour, where he has won twice third consecutive year, with that tourna - and never finished lower than 61st on the ment played April 23-26, the same week as money list. the Champions Tour Legends of Golf in Justin Bolli John Kimbell won in Valdosta in his Savannah. rookie season on the Nationwide Tour in This year’s schedule includes 29 tourna - ’07, but suffered through a rough sopho - ments, one less than last year. The tour lost lege ranks, completing his career at Augusta top 10 finish and ended the year 37th with more season, dropping from 37th on the events in Richmond, Va., Chicago, State after the 2007 season. just over $170,000. money list to 120th. The LaFayette resident Rochester and Oregon, while adding a The highlight of Manning’s first full Dunlap was 8th in fairways hit and 23rd struggled statistically across the board, second stop in plus events in season as a tour player was a victory in in greens in regulation, but struggles with managing just three top-30 finishes in 25 Kansas City and southern , the on the Hooters Tour. He the putter kept him from taking full advan - starts, with a tie for 18th his best showing. latter one of three tournaments with mil - had one other top-4 finish on both the tage of his excellent ball striking. He shot Tour veteran lion dollar purses. Hooters and Tar Heel Tours, and made it 16-under for six rounds of qualifying, but a endured a nightmare year in 2008, missing The tour’s Georgia contingent for 2009 through the first two stages of qualifying final round 67 left him three strokes shy of the cut in every event he entered before will include a number of familiar names, before opening finals with a 7-under 65 to a spot on the PGA Tour. calling it a season in early August. with just two newcomers – Major share the first round lead. Manning was The 45-year-old Dunlap has two career Langham, who has played seven years on Manning and David Robinson. even par over the next four days to almost Nationwide wins, with his rookie season the PGA Tour and nine on the Nationwide, Manning is the latest former Augusta fall out of the top 100, but finished 70th dating all the way back to the tour’s inau - scored his third Nationwide win in ’07, but State golfer to move up in the pro ranks, after his closing 68 to earn his exempt gural year of 1990. Since then, Dunlap has fought a losing battle with his swing last firing a final round 68 in PGA Tour quali - status on the number. played all over the world, winning tourna - year. Langham is seventh on the all-time fying to advance 27 spots and narrowly Robinson, a Sandersville resident who ments in , South America and Nationwide Tour money list and qualified earn exempt status. Manning, came to played on the golf team at Georgia College, . He also spent seven seasons for the PGA Tour Championship in 2000, Augusta State from Clarkesville, and was the Tar Heel Tour’s Player of the Year in on the PGA Tour from 1995-2002, fin - but other than one strong season on the enjoyed success in both the junior and col - 2008, winning three times and posting 12 ishing 44th on the money list in 2000, Nationwide Tour in ’04, has not been the top-10 finishes in 16 starts to become the when he contended in the PGA same player since an elbow injury that

P first player on that tour to exceed $100,000 Championship. He nearly won the ’05 flared up during the 2000 season. Langham U O R

G in earnings. BellSouth Classic after playing his way into is a Thomson native and long-time E G

A After a number of years on the mini-tour the tournament in a Monday qualifier. Peachtree City resident and was a teammate M I Y

A circuit, this will be Robinson’s first Albany’s Josh Broadaway enjoyed his of Claxton on the Georgia golf team. L N I F

E Nationwide Tour season. Robinson fin - best Nationwide season in ’08, ending up Five Georgians finished between 77 and K A L ished ahead of only 15 players in the finals 36th with $172,880. Broadaway, 30, had 94 on the 2008 money list to retain non- of PGA Tour qualifying, and will begin the not finished in the top 90 in his first three exempt status for the ’09 season. season with limited status on tour. years on tour, but posted five top-10 fin - Recent Georgia Bulldog standout Chris Robinson shot 67 in both the second and ishes last year, tying for third in Miami and Kirk of Woodstock was 77th in his rookie third rounds of qualifying, but was over par contending in one of the tour’s top events season as a pro, highlighted by a runner-up in each of his four other rounds in southern in Columbus, Oh. Broadaway, who hits the finish in Knoxville, where he lost in a California. ball cross-handed and putts left-handed, playoff. Other than that, however, it was Heading up Georgia’s veteran contingent was fourth in putting in ’07 and seventh in not an especially productive first year for is Duluth’s Scott Dunlap , who is playing the par breakers category. Kirk, although he made the cut in all three his sixth straight season on the tour and Four Georgians who won on the tour in PGA Tour events he entered, including the eighth overall. Dunlap won the 2007, including two who played on the U.S. Open. Nationwide Tour’s season opening event in PGA Tour last year, will be Nationwide [ See Nationwide Tour, page 17 ] Scott Dunlap Panama last year, but did not post another Tour members.

12 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2009 2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 more than $13 million. Marietta resident also Mize, Tway among new enjoyed a long run of success on the Champions Tour until he reached his late 50s, scoring 19 wins between 1998 and 2004. But Nelson, 61, has struggled over Champions Tour names the last four years, in large part due to injuries, and has gone two seasons without a top-10 finish in an individual event. Tim Simpson has gradually moved up Atlanta still missing from tour schedule the money list in his three seasons on the tour, advancing from 46th to 37th to 26th. The Atlanta native and Lake Oconee resi - By Mike Blum recent contenders for that title – , dent had a pair of runner-up finishes last and – cut year, and remains among the better ball he Champions Tour will not be out of the same mold. strikers among his peer group, with put - returning to Atlanta in 2009, Many of the more prominent players to ting still his main nemesis. but it will be back in Savannah turn 50 in recent years have either ignored Larry Mize and could easily T for a seventh straight year. the Champions Tour ( Greg Norman , Nick wind up competing for Rookie of the Year The over-50 tour welcomed a Georgia Faldo ), not played especially well ( Nick honors, with Mize enjoying a three-month native late last year, with a less well known Price , , Mark O’Meara ) or head start. Mize was not a factor on the Georgian regaining his full time playing can’t decide whether to stick it out on the PGA Tour after 2001, and will have to re- privileges this year and a former state resi - PGA Tour ( ). acquaint himself with the feeling of dent making his debut early in the season. It’s been quite a while since an American playing under pressure. He was respectable Larry Mize , who was born and raised in player with marquee appeal has turned 50, in his first four Champions Tour starts, but Augusta and is a long-time Columbus res - and this year is no different. will need to card a few more scores of 66 ident, made his Champions Tour debut in and Tway are the only two players with any and 67 if he hopes to win for the first time the latter stages of the 2008 season, sort of resumes to join the tour this year, in more than 15 years. making four mostly uneventful starts. Larry Nelson and neither is going to greatly enhance the Tway kept his game in shape deeper into Duluth native and Dillard resident tour’s status. his late 40s, and turned in a number of James Mason , who has played on the Among the tour’s top players last year strong efforts last year, finishing the among Champions Tour since 2001, posted a top- played since 1978, and its initial success were such non-household names as R.W. the scoring leaders on the PGA Tour. Tway 5 finish in the finals of the tour’s qualifying was largely responsible for the creation of Eaks , Bruce Vaughan , , D.A. also ranked among the leaders in several tournament and will be fully exempt for the Senior Tour a few years later. Weibring , and Eduardo other categories, most notably putting, the first time since the ’03 season, the year After making several changes in sites, the Romero , with those six combining for 10 and rattled off a string of scores in the mid- after he scored his lone tour win. tournament landed at the Westin Savannah victories, including three of the five majors. 60s, including a 62 in his final event of the Bob Tway , who lived in suburban Cobb Harbor Resort in 2003 and has remained Lonnie Nielsen , , Gene season. He will miss the first nine County for most of his teens, will make his there since, with the format returning to its Jones , David Eger and Michael Goodes all Champions Tour events of the season, but Champions Tour debut in early May, and original team concept last year. qualified for the Tour Championship. look for him to make a big impact once he is expected to be a very competitive player The Champions Tour was supposed to A number of familiar names – Gil turns 50 in May. after some solid showings on the PGA make a return to the Atlanta area this year, Morgan , , , Jim Dent notched 12 wins in his first 10 Tour last year. but the faltering economy ended the hopes , , Irwin – are seasons on the Champions Tour, but his They join Champions Tour veterans for landing a title sponsor for the event. on the downside of their Champions Tour last win was more than a decade ago. Dent and Larry Nelson along with The tour has not visited the north Atlanta careers, and the players replacing them on has earned almost $9 million during his relative newcomer Tim Simpson in com - suburbs since 2000, with Country Club of leader boards are not exciting any more fans Champions Tour career and led the tour in prising the bulk of Georgia’s contingent on the South and Golf Club of Georgia than they did. driving distance six straight seasons. Dent, the tour. Augusta native Jim Dent , who serving as hosts and Nationwide Insurance Langer and Romero, who spent his career who made just 13 starts last year, begins turns 70 this year, remains exempt, but has the title sponsor. playing primarily in Europe and his native the 2009 season 20th in career Champions not been a competitive player for a number This year’s Champions Tour schedule will , were the only players to win Tour earnings. of seasons. consist of 26 tournaments, the fewest three times last year, with six others winning , a long-time Braselton resi - The tour makes its lone Georgia appear - number in more than two decades. The twice each. Haas has been the tour’s top dent and the 2005 Georgia Open ance in late April with the tournament that tour lost three events from 2008 in Hawaii, player over the last three seasons with 10 champion, tied for ninth in the finals of started what was then the Senior Tour. The suburban Boston and New York, and did victories and two money and Schwab Cup qualifying last year, and will have limited Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf has been not add a new tournament for ’09. As a titles each, but does not exactly strike fear status, playing in the tour’s Monday quali - result, the tour will have only one stretch into the hearts of his fellow competitors or fiers in an effort to get into the Allen Doyle the entire season when it will play more boost attendance totals. tournament fields. Conley, who played on than three straight weeks, with the frequent Other than Simpson and the new - both the PGA and Nationwide Tour prior off weeks likely to result in stronger fields comers, Georgia’s Champions Tour to turning 50, has made 19 starts the past for the remaining tournaments. contingent is showing a little age. two seasons, 13 of those as a rookie in In recent years, the Champions Tour has Allen Doyle turned 60 last year, and has 2007. His earnings fell from $127,000 to attracted a decreasing amount of attention, not won since scoring his second straight $36,000, with a tie for 30th his best as the star players who made the tour what U. S. Senior Open title in 2006. After showing in ’08. it was have long since ceased to be compet - eight straight seasons among the tour’s top Javier Sanchez , who lives in the Lake itive players. Arnold Palmer , Jack 20 players, he has finished around 40th in Oconee area, tied for 20th in the finals of Nicklaus and kept the earnings each of the last two years, and did Q-school and will be eligible to compete in Champions Tour relevant through the not have a top-10 finish in ’08 after the Monday qualifiers. Sanchez has 1980s and ‘90s, but the past decade has not placing second in the season opener. The enjoyed some success in his career as a been as successful. LaGrange resident has enjoyed a won - mini-tour player, and is best known for The charismatically challenged Hale derful career since turning pro in his late qualifying for the U.S. Open four straight Irwin was “The Man” on the Champions 40s, entering the ’09 season sixth on the years, making it through both local and Tour for most of that stretch, with the all-time Champions Tour money list with sectional qualifying all four times.

14 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM &YQFSJFODF UIF /&8 #SPPLTUPOF (PMG  $PVOUSZ $MVC

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2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Mason regains status on Champions Tour R

U 2004), and his number of playing opportu - O T

A nities has decreased the past three seasons G P / Long time club pro ends Z D from 18 to 13 to 12. A B

N Most of Mason’s recent starts have come A T days of Monday qualifiers S thanks to his play in Monday qualifiers, although he has received a few sponsor exemptions along the way. His vic - tory from 2002 hasn’t been much of a help By Mike Blum Mason, who had little or no experience on in gaining access to events, as the the PGA Tour, to gain access to the Champions Tour places more weight in or the past five seasons, James Champions Tour on a regular basis. The what players did during their days on the Mason has competed on the tour expanded the number of spots avail - PGA Tour than performance on the Champions Tour in a kind of able from the weekly tournament qualifiers, Champions Tour. F limbo. but only a handful of players were able to “That’s just the way the tour was set up,” Mason’s exempt status for winning a parlay that into a healthy schedule and a Mason says. “They’re looking out for the Champions Tour event in 2002 expired at sufficiently successful season to earn ones who played the PGA Tour. But if you the end of the ‘03 season, and since then exempt status for the following year. can play, you can get a spot out here.” Mason has competed on an irregular basis. Mason, a Duluth native and long-time Mason has shrugged off the various reg - He’s gotten into some tournaments but not Georgia PGA member who now lives in ulations that have made it harder for him to others, and has spent the past two seasons Dillard in the northeast Georgia moun - succeed than former Tour players. having to rely on his success in Monday tains, took advantage of the resumption of “I have certainly enjoyed it. I’m doing qualifiers to get into fields for the dwin - the qualifying tournament, but not without something a lot of people wish they were dling number of tour events. some nervous moments at the end. doing. I can’t describe how good it’s been. If After placing around 40th in three of his With only five spots available on the you had told me when I came out that I first four seasons, Mason has finished 69th, 2009 Champions Tour, Mason began the James Mason would make over $2 million, I would have 62nd and 75th on the money list the last final round in the precarious position of asked you what you were smoking.” three years, competing in fewer than half tied for fifth. On a difficult day from a Without any scoreboards on the course, Mason hasn’t always played as well as he the tournaments in both 2007 and ‘08. weather standpoint, Mason played steadily, the players had no grasp of how they stood would have liked, but has done well A few years ago, the Champions Tour did recording nine straight pars before a bogey coming down the stretch, and Mason enough to stay out there for seven years, away with its qualifying tournament that on the 18th hole placed him in jeopardy of feared that his closing bogey would cost with hopes of a few more. allowed players like Allen Doyle and finishing outside the top five. him any chance of a top-5 finish. However, “I’ve persevered. It’s a seven day a week a number of players contending for the five job, and if you don’t approach it like that, available spots encountered some serious you won’t do any good.” stumbling blocks the final day. To his sur - In recent years, Mason has had to make a prise, Mason wound up tied for fourth and few stops on the not very lucrative senior in a three-way playoff for two spots. mini-tour circuit, but can concentrate his After a trio of pars on the first playoff efforts this year on the Champions Tour. hole, Mason was the only one of the three Mason will get into just about every tour NOWNOW Kids Menu to par the second hole, and just like that, he event this season, which he says is “a big OPENOPEN FORFOR & Catering is again a full-time player on the weight lifted. Hopefully, I’ll play fair Available Champions Tour. enough to make a lot of money.” DINNERDINNER For Mason, the success in the qualifier Mason managed just one top-10 finish in 4055 Old Milton Pkwy • Suite 14 • Alpharetta GA, 30005 came at exactly the right time. He turned each of his last two seasons, but should fare Next to Old Milton Beverage 58 last month, and realizes “I’ve only got better this year without the week to week one or two more shots at it then I’m headed uncertainty that is the life of the tour’s con - NEW HOURS back to playing in the Section.” tingent of Monday qualifiers. Monday - Thursday 7 - 9pm • Friday & Saturday 7 - 10pm Even though it’s been a while since Prior to joining the Champions Tour, Sunday 7 - 3pm Mason has made a serious run at con - Mason was a career PGA club professional, tending in a Champions Tour event, he still working primarily in the metro Atlanta 770-754-6202770-754-6202 believes he can be a competitive player area. As his 50th birthday approached, he Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner • Served All-Day against the game’s top players over the age turned to teaching to enable him to con - of 50. centrate more on playing (he still teaches “Absolutely. I’m still in good enough some at The Orchard in Clarkesville), and health that I can totally compete, and I’ve emerged as the Georgia PGA’s top player in learned so much the last six or seven years. his late 40s. I’m going to get to play at least 20 or so From 1997, when he was 46, to 2000, tournaments. I’m excited.” Mason was the Georgia PGA’s Player of the

0 0 Mason turned 50 in 2001, and played in Year three times in the four-year span. He 4 NORTH Y W H SOUTH five Champions Tour events that year, all as won six Georgia PGA tournaments in that y kw EXIT 11 d P war Wind a Monday qualifier. In just his second start stretch, including the Section N of 2002, he won the long defunct NFL Championship three times, with three of 0 0 4 We Y bb B ridge Classic in – just the eighth time his victories, the Atlanta Open among W Rd. H

SOUTH in tour history a Monday qualifier won the them, coming at the age of 49 in 2000.

NORTH y w O k tournament – and contended for another Mason won both the Georgia Senior ld P EXIT 10 M e ilt g on id P r k B w . a k d victory later that year in Minnesota. He fin - Open and the Georgia PGA Senior y B y r w r a R k oo P P ks e t id e g in Pkw id o y A r. r P lexander D B ished the year 40th on the money list, and Championship in 2001 before his life- h s rt o e N n o J played respectably in ’03, placing 41st in changing week in May of 2002 in earnings to retain his status. New Jersey. Since that year, Mason has cracked the top 50 in earnings just once (42nd in 16 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2009 Lake Oconee resident Blake Adams , who Nationwide Tour has spent his pro career on regional mini- [ Continued from page 12 ] tours, finished sixth in Valdosta after Monday qualifying for the tournament. He GOLF Augusta’s was 81st, with his made it into 10 more events, posting three Equipment • Training • Confidence best showing a fourth place finish in top-20 finishes, and finished 94th on the Valdosta. Parel was sixth in the driving stats, money list to earn limited playing privileges but some putting woes, particularly in the this season. final round, kept him from retaining his Georgia PGA member exempt status. Parel, 43, will be playing his made it to finals of Q-school and missed by It’sIt’s Golf.Golf. sixth season on the Nationwide Tour. only three strokes of being fully exempt on Tommy Tolles , who played with Claxton the Nationwide Tout this year. Skinner, 48, and Langham on the Georgia golf team two played on either the PGA or Nationwide decades ago, was 83rd on the money list, Tour from 1990-2005, and made 10 starts It’sIt’s Indoors.Indoors. making just 14 starts and not playing late in last year after a strong final round vaulted the season. Tolles, 42, played on the PGA him into the top 20 in Athens. Skinner, a Tour from 1995-2002, twice qualifying for teaching pro at River Pointe in Albany, the Tour Championship, but has played all placed second in last year’s PGA Professional It’sIt’s Amazing.Amazing. but one season since on the Nationwide National Championship at Reynolds Tour. Other than 2003, Tolles has not Plantation, and was named PGA Professional enjoyed much success of late, but did manage of the Year. Skinner was also the 2006 a pair of top-5 finishes in two of the top Georgia PGA Player of the Year, and was Nationwide events last year. runner-up last year. Snellville’s Jonathan Fricke was 93rd in Former Norcross resident Reid Edstrom his rookie Nationwide season, which fea - and Savannah’s Tim O’Neal both finished 20,000 sq. ft. facility • Golf Simulators tured an odd second half. Fricke missed 13 of outside the top 100 on the money list and 20,000 sq. ft. facility • Golf Simulators his last 15 cuts, but the two times he made it lost their tour status. Edstrom enjoyed a PuttingPutting GreensGreens •• ChippingChipping AreasAreas •• WaterWater FeaturesFeatures to the weekend in that stretch, he finished handful of solid weeks in his rookie season, PGAPGA InstructionInstruction third and eighth. Fricke was among the tour but was only able to get into 14 tournaments. leaders in driving distance and putted well, He did manage to uncork the longest drive but finished well down the list in fairways on the tour last year, belting one that meas - www.ETCGolf.com and greens hit. Fricke reached the finals of Q- ured 416 yards. O’Neal, who was top-60 on 770.420.0043 school and shot 63 in the second round, but the money list in three of his first four 2636 George Busbee Pkwy., Kennesaw, GA 30144 finished outside the top 100 and did not Nationwide seasons, made just 4 of 13 cuts appreciably improve his status for this season. in ’08, with his best finish a tie for 24th. adjacent Town Center Mall

2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 Chip Shots

the 10th on Jekyll’s Oleander course, the team and singles matches for a 10 ½ to Murchison of Towne Lake Hills tied for Hatcher, Richardson Richardson holed a birdie putt on 7 ½ victory. 15th. Murchison had ninth and seventh take Pro-Pro title Oleander’s 18th to win the tournament. The Georgia PGA team held a 4-2 lead place finishes later in the series. Richard Hatcher and Patrick Richardson Hatcher and Richardson took home first after team matches the first day, then Sonny Skinner of Albany’s River Pointe teamed up to win the Georgia PGA Pro-Pro place money of $2,200, with Hough and edged the amateurs 6 ½ to 5 ½ in singles to GC and Atlanta instructor Craig Stevens Championship at Jekyll Island GC to wrap up Detmer earning $1,500. It was the second clinch the victory. tied for fifth in the event in which the Section’s 2008 tournament schedule. title in the event for Hatcher and Richardson, Team winners for the Georgia PGA team Weinhart was fourth, three strokes Hatcher, head professional at Ansley GC, who also won in 2001. Hough and Detmer were Dan Mullins—DeWitt Weaver , behind the winner. Skinner was fifth, 11th and Richardson, head professional at were tournament champions in 2005 and Wyatt Detmer—Lonnie Reece , Steve and fifth in the final three events and Wilmington Island GC, won on the second also won the Pro-Pro Scramble in 2004. Ridge-Danny Elkins and Bill ended up 15th in earnings for the series. playoff hole against Jon Hough , head pro - Defending champions Jeff Hull of the U. Johnstone—John Nigh . Mullins, Weaver, Skinner PGA Player of the Year: fessional at The Manor G&CC, and Wyatt of Georgia GC and Chris Asbell of Georgia Nigh, Johnstone, Detmer and Ridge also Thanks to his play in PGA events and 10 Detmer , head professional at Orchard Hills. Golf Center tied for third at 133 with Russell scored wins in singles. Phil Pavoni and appearances on the Nationwide Tour, Both teams finished with 12-under 132 Smith of Bent Tree CC and Jekyll Island Donnie Crump were the lone amateurs to Sonny Skinner finished first in the PGA totals in the best ball competition, with Director of Golf Harry Kicklighter . Smith win both their matches. of America’s points list to earn PGA each posting back-to-back scores of 66. and Kicklighter shot 64 the final round. Professional of the Year honors for 2008. After the teams halved the first playoff hole, Tying for fifth at 134 were the teams of Skinner, who teaches at River Pointe Robert Graham and Bill Fedder of the Weinhart second G&CC in Albany, placed second in the Piedmont Driving Club, Brian Stock and in PGA tournament 2008 PGA Professional National Pro-Pro winners Richard Hatcher (L) Shea Stancil of Champions Retreat, and Eric Tim Weinhart finished second in a PGA Championship at Reynolds Plantation, and Patrick Richardson Reeves of Healy Point and Brandon Winter Tournament Series event at PGA and was a close second on the Georgia Lovelady of Flat Creek. Reeves and Lovelady GC in south Florida, the best showing by PGA Player of the Year Divots points list. A were the first round leaders with a 64. a Georgia PGA member in the six-event long time tour pro before becoming a The tournament was sponsored by series. Georgia PGA professional, Skinner made Traynor Golf Collection, Cleveland Golf Weinhart, an instructor at St. Marlo, three cuts in his 10 Nationwide Tour starts and Srixon. shared the first round lead with 68 and in ’08, including a top-20 finish in the shot 72 the next day for a 140 total, two Athens Regional Foundation Classic. Georgia PGA seniors strokes behind the winner. He tied for A highlight of the year for Skinner was fourth and 11th in later series events and his first appearance in the PGA claim Challenge Cup finished eighth overall with earnings of Championship. The Georgia PGA won the Senior almost $6,900. Challenge Cup over a team of Georgia Michael Parrott of Brookfield CC tied amateurs at Barnsley Gardens, taking both for fifth in the first event, and Bill

The most recent addition is the Fairways the State Park courses, with the lone exception Riverdale’s Mariah Stackhouse became of Canton , which opened late in 2007 as a Friday-Sunday at Georgia Vets in Cordele. the first GSGA competitor to be named public golf course, but is now a private The State Park courses are also offering Player of the Year in two categories, Golf Talk course and is the 20th Canongate facility in GreenPass memberships that provide achieving that accomplishment in the Girls Georgia. unlimited greens fees for a year at a home and Women’s categories. The course has been renamed State Park course and 50 percent off at other Stackhouse, the 2007 Girls Player of the Canongate at Laurel Canyon , the name of State Park facilities. Family and junior mem - Year, ended Laura Coble’s 10-year run as Canongate family the development where the course is berships are also available. Women’s Player of the Year. Stackhouse adds 2 more courses located in north Cherokee County outside For information, call 1-800-434-0982 or defended her 2007 titles in the Women’s The Canongate family of golf courses has Canton. visit www.golfgeorgia.com. Match Play and Girls Championships, and added two more courses to its growing list Rocky Roquemore , who worked with also won the GWGA Championship, of clubs, with its newest additions among Joe Lee on a number of the Canongate GSGA honors Noll defeating Coble in a playoff. Stackhouse the most recent courses to open for play in courses and has designed many of the also finished second in the Atlanta Women’s the metro Atlanta area. more recent Canongate layouts, is the with Barnes award Amateur, placed fourth in the Women’s Top Late in 2008, Canongate acquired the architect for the new course, which is visu - Dalton’s David Noll earned the GSGA’s top 60 Classic and reached the third round of Sun City Peachtree course in Griffin, which ally appealing but also demanding honor for 2008, winning the Tommy Barnes the U.S. Girls Championship. opened for play last year. The course is part because of the dramatic terrain. Award as the organization’s overall Player of Other Players of the Year for 2008 are of an active adult community from devel - Roquemore says the course is his tribute the Year. Chase Parker of Augusta (Boys); oper Del Webb. to course architects of golf’s past, with the Noll, who also captured his fourth Men’s Bill Ploeger of Columbus (Senior Men) and The course was designed by Gary layout distinct from others in the metro area . Player of the Year honor, won his second Brenda Pictor of Marietta (Senior Women). Stephenson, who is part of Phil Mickelson’s For information, call 770-845-1430. Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship Bob Flynn of Kennesaw was the recipient design team and worked on such noted in 2008, and posted a number of other top of the Bill Todd Award, the highest honor courses in the southwest as Whisper Rock State Parks courses finishes in state events. He was second in that a GSGA volunteer can receive. Flynn, a and Frisco Lakes. The course features five the Mid-Am, third in the Georgia Amateur, member at Pinetree, has been involved with sets of tees and maxes out at just over offer Winter rates fourth with partner Doug Green in the 4-Ball the GSGA in a variety of capacities for three 6,800 yards with a modest Course Georgia’s State Park course s are offering Championship and was second among the decades. Rating/Slope. special Winter rates at all facilities through state’s amateurs in the Georgia Open. Noll The winners were honored at the recent For information, call 678-877-0773 or the end of February. A round of golf plus a has won four GSGA titles since 2003, when GSGA awards banquet, which was held at visit canongategolf.com. shared cart is $28 any day of the week at all he won the Georgia Amateur. the Cherokee Town Club.

18 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2009 Masters field could be largest since ’66

ith the 2009 Masters a few finale at the Disney resort, but that win did 12. Top 4, 2008 British Open: Ian months away, the field for not earn him an automatic spot in the field. Poulter, , Greg Norman. the first of golf’s four Other top American players not yet qual - W major championships is ified include , Scott 13. Top 4, 2008 PGA Championship: largely completed, but has already added Verplank , , J.B. Holmes and , Camilo Villegas. three new names the first three weeks of the Augusta native Charles Howell , who will ’09 season. need a victory to avoid missing the Masters 14. PGA Tour FedExCup tournament At the end of the 2008 calendar year, the for the first time since his first full season as winners, post-2008 Masters: , Masters already had 88 qualifiers for this a Tour player in 2001. Fellow Augustan Adam Scott, Anthony Kim, Ryuji Imada, year’s event. With the three recent addi - Vaughn Taylor and Georgians Heath Kenny Perry, , . tions and the likelihood that several more Slocum , Troy Matteson , Jonathan Byrd players will be added, this could be the and Jason Bohn also need a tournament 15. Top 30, 2008 FedExCup points list: largest Masters field in more than four win in the next two months to make it to , K.J. Choi, , decades. Augusta in April. , Ernie Els, , Players can still qualify by winning a and , , , PGA Tour tournament that offers full are among the top international players , , , FedExCup points before the ’09 Masters who have yet to qualify, with Montgomerie , Bubba Watson. (the two events opposite the World Golf so far down in the World Rankings (135) Championships tournaments don’t count) that even a victory between now and the 16. Top 30, PGA Tour money list: or by moving into the top 50 in the World Masters would be unlikely to move him . Rankings as of March 30. into the top 50. earned a Masters invitation Several lesser known international 17. Top 50, World Rankings (end of Woody Austin with his victory in the Bob Hope Classic, players were just outside the top 50 as of 2008): , , Luke G and ’s Alvaro Quiros moved into the late January, and need only one or two Donald, , , Aaron R E B N I top 30 in the rankings with his win in the strong tournament showings between now Baddeley, Graeme McDowell, Shingo D

2009 qualifiers (through Jan. 25): Riyo E V E

European Tour Qatar Masters, assuring and the Masters to qualify. Katayama, , Oliver T Ishikawa (special invitation); Pat Perez S himself of a spot in the top 50 one week Wilson, Soren Hansen, Soren Kjeldsen, (PGA Tour winner); Alvaro Quiros (Top prior to the Masters. Rory McIlroy, Wen-Tang Lin, Richard 50 World Rankings). The Masters also issued a special invita - Masters qualifiers: Sterne. tion to Japanese teen-ager Riyo Ishikawa , 1. Masters champions: , who is closing in on a spot in the top 50 at Zach Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Tiger the age of 17. Woods, , Vijay Singh, Jose Maria If the Masters adds seven more players, Olazabal, Mark O’Meara, Ben Crenshaw, the tournament will have its largest field Bernhard Langer, , Ian ATLANTA’S OUTDOOR CENTER since 1966, when 103 players competed. Woosnam, , Larry Mize, Craig As Seen on FAMILY OWNED Dreams Built The largest field since was 2007, when 97 Stadler, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary & OPERATED Since 1977 Player, Ray Floyd. (Others not expected HGTV FINANCING players competed. AVAILABLE With nine weeks remaining for the dead - to compete.) line to earn a spot in the 2009 Masters field, there were a number of prominent 2. U.S. Open champions, 2004-08: players still looking to earn a late invitation Angel Cabrera, , Michael to Augusta. Campbell, . O O O O DD YY Topping the list of American players not Cart Paths & WW DDoocckkss && yet in the Masters field was Davis Love , 3. British Open champions, 2004-08: Cart Paths & who was 60th in the World Rankings as of Padraig Harrington, . LandscapingLandscaping GazebosGazebos late January. Love won the 2008 PGA Tour 4. PGA champions, 2004-08: Pedestrian & DOT Bridges Docks Fences P U O

R 5. Players champions: 2007-08: G Decks Pavers E G

A Sergio Garcia. M I Additions Waterfalls Y A L N I

F Retaining Walls Playgrounds - 6-9. Amateur qualifiers: Danny Lee Retaining Walls E K A

L (U.S. Open winner), Drew Kittleson (U.S. Open runner-up), Jack Newman (Mid-Am Your source for Golf Course Renovations winner), Steve Wilson (PubLinks winner), Walkways & Lighting Site Equipment Reiner Sexton (British winner).

10. Top 16, 2008 Masters: Stewart Cink, , , Miguel Angel Jiminez, Andres Romero, , Nick Watney, , , , Sean O’Hair.

11. Top 8, 2008 U.S. Open: , D.J. Trahan, . 770-476-0777770-476-0777770-476-0777 . 770476-0444 Colin Montgomerie WWW.USAHOMEWORKS.COM

2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 Golf FORE Juniors

Kalpak, Wright win Final 2008 points standings: Czuchry, 2008 GPGA finale Morris and Burton placed first in their age The Georgia PGA Junior Tour completed its groups in the final 2008 points standings. 2008 schedule in December at the Boys 16-18: Czuchry, 580; Jonathan Hampton Club on St. Simons Island, with Klotz , Columbus, 440; Paul Bruckner , David Kalpak of Greensboro and Kendall Alpharetta, 437; Joel Sawyer , Elberton, Kimberly Graff Caleb Morris Wright of Duluth the overall boys and girls 430; Trocchio, 387.5. winners. Boys 14-15: Morris, 672.5; Aaron Kalpak shot 73-74—147 to win the 16-18 George , Dahlonega, 389; Chris division by one stroke over Eric Quinn of Guglielmo , Cumming, 335; Brice Eaton , Norcross. Ryan Trocchio of Norcross, Drew Jasper, 319; Jimmy Beck , Columbus, 300. Czuchry of Auburn and Zach Lindsey of Boys 12-13: Bruton, 630; Crews, 477.5; Kennesaw tied for third at 151. Holm, 312.5; Tyler Young , Kennesaw, 285; Michael Garretson of Acworth was the Clayton Faulkner , Watkinsville, 280. 13-14 winner with a 153 total, followed by Girls 15-18: Kimberly Graff , Lilburn, 720; Caleb Morris of Metter at 154 and Wright, 500; Dona Kioseff , Valdosta, 425; Sanders Park of Alpharetta at 154. Buster Jessica Arthur , Lakemont, 370; Mary Kate Bruton of Dallas shot a second round 74 Linder , Athens, 340. for a 155 total to win the 12-13 division by Girls 12-14: Shanahan, 500; Emily Kurey , one stroke over Joshua Crews of Albany. Alpharetta, 422.5; Sally Morgan , Ben Holm of Alpharetta was third at 160. Alpharetta, 385. Wright shot 158 to finish six ahead of 2009 schedule: Feb. 14-15 — Forest Jessica Welch of Lavonia in the girls 15-18 Heights, Statesboro; March 14-15 — division. Sloan Shanahan was the girls 12- Brickyard at Riverside, Macon; March 28-29 Kendall Wright David Kalpak 14 winner at 159. — Cateechee, Hartwell; April 25-26 —

Georgia Vets, Cordele; May 16-17 – Bartram 19 – Lacey Fears , Bonaire, 1st, 159; Girls Trail, Evans; May 27-28 – The Frog, Villa Rica; 12-14 – Isabella Skinner , Cumming, 1st, June 1-2 — Georgia PGA Junior 167. Championship, Cartersville CC; June 17-18 At Tallahassee: Boys 12-13 – Derby, – Barnsley Gardens, Adairsville; July 8-9 — Columbus, 1st, 154; 14-15 – Sepp Straka , Glen Arven, Thomasville; July 14-15 — Valdosta, 2nd, 151; Sam Straka , 3rd, 153. Stone Mountain GC; August 15-16 At Wilmington Island: Boys 16-19 – —Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain; Sept. Skeadas, 1st, 145; Tyler Erickson , Bonaire, 12-13 — Wilmington Island, Savannah; and Austin Graham , Powder Springs, 2nd, Oct. 10-11 — Georgia Club, Statham. 147; 14-15 – Howard Hickey , Savannah, 1st, 158; Alex Dye , Evans, 2nd, 159; 12-13 – Philaphet, 1st, 159; Girls 15-19 – Katie Skeadas takes first Voll , Alpharetta, 1st, 172; 12-14 – in SJGT ’09 opener Elizabeth Kim , Martinez, 1st, 177. Savannah’s John Skeadas III won the At Kinderlou Forest: Boys 16-19 – Southeastern Junior Golf Tour’s season Shawn Yim , Buford, 1st, 145; 14-15 – Sam opening tournament at Sanctuary Cove in Straka , 1st, 144; Sepp Straka , 2nd, 146; Waverly, shooting 142 to take the boys 16- Boys 12-13 – Philaphet, 2nd, 163 (lost 18 division by six strokes over Scott playoff); Girls 15-19 – Anna Keith , Wolfes of St. Simons Island. Moultrie, 1st, 154; Emilie Burger , Cody Shafer of Evans was the boys 14- Hoschton, 2nd, 156; 12-14 – Katy Harris , 15 winner at 146, with Sam Straka of 2nd 170. Valdosta second at 148. Ben Holm of 2009 SJGT tournaments in Georgia: Alpharetta shot 156 to win the 12-13 divi - Feb. 28-March 1, Callaway Gardens; March sion by one stroke over Joe Philaphet of 28-29, Dublin CC; April 4-5, Jekyll Island Riverdale and by two over Parker Derby GC; April 18-19, Lakes at Laura S. Walker; of Columbus. May 16-17, Meadow Links; May 27-28, Amelia Hill of St. Simons was the girls Orchard Hills; June 8-9, Marietta CC; June 15-19 winner at 155, with Caitlin Pisciotta 29-30, West Lake CC; July 9-10, Idle Hour; of Alpharetta second at 159. Katy Harris July 27-28, Hawks Ridge; Aug. 22-23, of St, Simons shot 161 to win girls 12-14. Doublegate CC; Sept. 12-13, CC of Results from late 2008 SJGT tourna - Columbus; Sept, 26-27, Forest Hills; Oct. 3- ments: 4, Glen Arven CC; Oct. 17-18, U. of Georgia At Amelia Island, Fla.: Boys 12-13 – GC; Nov. 21-22, Valdosta CC; Dec. 5-6, Buster Bruton , Dallas, 1st, 159; 16-19 – Kinderlou Forest. David Hobby , Valdosta, 2nd, 156; Girls 15-

20 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM FEBRUARY 2009 2009 British Open RAFFLE 7XUQEHUU\ ‡ -XO\  ±  Winner Receives: ‡ Golf Trip for 2 to the 2009 British Open ‡ Airfare, Accomodations, and Transfer ‡ Tickets for 2 rounds each of the British Open ‡ 2 rounds each of Golf for 2 days  5DIÀH 7LFNHW Drawing Date Prior to Masters

2QO\  UDIÀH WLFNHWV ZLOO EH VROG Presented by e Georgia Golf Course Owners Association in partnership with VisitScotland %X\ WLFNHWV RQOLQH DW ZZZJJFRDFRP the Official Tourism Bureau of A portion of proceeds may be tax-deductible.

2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 Course Reviews

Wilmington Island Club (Semi-Private) 501 Wilmington Island Rd., Savannah • 912-897-1615

STAFF: Patrick Richardson is the Golf Professional; Don Hemmerle is the Superintendent. PAR/YARDAGE: Wilmington Island plays to a par of 71 with four sets of tees: Blue (6,672 yards); White (6,274); Gold (5,658) and Red (5,152). COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 72.5/133 (Blue); 70.7/129 (White); 67.7/120 (Gold); 70.8/129 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: One of the state’s most historic courses, the club has undergone many changes over the years, including its name and several renovations to the layout. Formerly known as the Savannah Inn & CC and later the Sheraton Savannah Resort, it became Wilmington Island Club in the 1990s after the once nationally known resort fell on some lean times. The club has since rebounded with the addition of a first class club - house and some major renovation work that has put much of the shine back on the classic Donald Ross layout. The original Ross design dates back to 1927, with Willard Byrd overseeing the first re-design in the mid-1960s. The course became a popular tournament site for the Georgia PGA and GSGA, serving as host for the Georgia Open through the early 1990s, as well as the GSGA Championship in 1979. The club has also hosted the GSGA 4-Ball Championship four times since 1991, most recently in 2006, and is a regular stop on state and regional junior tours. The most recent renovation work came earlier this decade, and included some significant changes. The first and 18th holes were switched, with the former par-5 18th now a par 4 beginning with a tee shot over a pond. The new 18th is now a demanding par-4 with a pond fronting a small green that presents a very difficult target to hit. The nines have been reversed, with holes 2-9 now 10-17 and 10-17 now 2-9, with the front nine now playing to a par of 35. A ditch that winds through the course was expanded in several spots, enhancing the appearance and adding a little more challenge to the predominantly friendly layout. Water is in play on more than half the holes, including a trio of scenic, short-to-medium par 3s. A variety of coastal trees border almost all the fairways and place a premium on driving accuracy, with the well- guarded greens complexes including some bunkers that can produce some nervous glances with water looming just off the putting surface.

Green Island Country Club (Private) 6501 Standing Boy Rd., Columbus • 706-324-3706

STAFF: Richard Korytoski is the Director of Golf; Matt Heitmueller is the Golf Professional. PAR/YARDAGE: Green Island CC is a par 71 with five sets of tees: Blue (6,435 yards); Member (6,215); White (5,968); Ladies Member (5,335) and Red (5,095), COURSE RATING/SLOPE : 71.9/136 (Blue); 71.1/133 (Member); 70.0/129 (White); 72.9/132 (Ladies Member); 70.8/129 (Red). ABOUT THE COURSE: Green Island has a proud tradition as a tournament host of both professional and amateur events, including the PGA Tour for more than 20 years (, 1970-90) and a Champions Tour event in 2003. The GSGA has played its champi - onship there three times, and will play its second Senior Championship at the club this year. Prolific golf course architect Joe Lee created the original design in 1961, with some renova - tion work done in the 1990s. Despite its absence of length, Green Island held its own against the Tour players, with the distinctive old-style layout requiring players to handle a variety of uneven lies on the rolling fairways. With a number of short par 4s along the way, scoring opportunities abound, but sound strategic thinking, a healthy dash of accuracy and a deft short game are required to capitalize on them. Many of the greens are elevated and open up towards the back, usually behind bunkers that can make for some very testy approach shots. Among the most recent design changes was the reduction of some of more severe slopes on the putting surfaces, which made things a little easier on one hand, but has also resulted in some new pin positions that can be difficult to attack. Offsetting the short 4s and one rolling but inviting par 5 are a pair of long par 5s with water in play, as well as two stout, uphill par 3s. A scenic, downhill par 3 with a pond in front will test your dis - tance control and the sloping green will challenge your putting touch. Among the highlights of the unique layout is the par-4 10th, which played as the opening hole for the tour pros. Starting from a small tee along side a pond, the hole offers all sorts of problems beginning with an angled, uphill tee shot that has to avoid overhanging trees and find the right portion of the fairway to provide an unobstructed approach to a wide green guarded by trees left and a hazard short. Good luck if you miss a shot or get out of position.

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2009 FEBRUARY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 23