Henley Hits Homer in PGA Tour Debut Macon Native, Ex-Bulldog Wins Big in Hawaii
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GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« FEBRUARY 2013 Henley hits homer in PGA Tour debut Macon native, ex-Bulldog wins big in Hawaii By Mike Blum Winning is not exactly an unaccus- “And here I am.” Georgia grad. tomed experience for the 23-year-old “Here” was in the media center after Henley, who vaulted to 50th in the o say the least, Russell Henley. He won back-to-back Georgia winning the Hawaiian Open with a World Rankings, also earned spots into Henley made a rather size- Amateur titles in 2008 and ‘09, matched record-breaking score of 24-under 256, the Players Championship, WGC able splash in his debut event Chris Kirk for most victories in UGA four shots better than the previous low Bridgestone Invitational and PGA on the PGA Tour. history (seven), and collected three titles 72-hole total. His 256 total tied Mark Championship. He will likely be in the THenley, a Macon native and recent in his 31 starts on the Nationwide/ Calcavecchia for third lowest in fields for the other two WGC events in standout on the U. of Georgia golf team, Web.com Tour, the first while he was modern tour history, behind only the U.S. (Match Play Championship accomplished the rare feat of winning a still a member of the UGA golf team. Tommy Armour III (254) and Steve and Doral), and is in position to make PGA Tour event in his first start as a tour Henley came into the tournament as Stricker (255). his first start in the U.S. Open as a pro. member, scoring a beyond impressive perhaps the hottest player in the field Henley finished the tournament in “I’m pretty speechless,” said Henley of victory in the Sony Open in Hawaii. based on his play late in the 2012 style, carding birdies on the final five his reaction to the victory and what it Web.com Tour schedule. In his final holes Sunday to hold off a surging Tim would mean. “I was trying not to think four starts of the season, he finished 6th, Clark, who birdied the last four. Clark about Augusta out there… Just every- 1st, 3rd and 1st, and during practice ended up 2nd, three shots behind thing I could do to psych myself out of for the Hawaiian Open, felt confi- Henley, with Augusta native Charles thinking about winning. It worked.” dent that the momentum he Howell and PGA Tour rookie Scott Henley is also exempt on the PGA built up late in 2012 was still Langley, Henley’s co-star for the week, Tour through the 2015 season, and has with him. tying for 3rd, seven strokes back. an oversized check for $1,008,000 he “I don’t care what happens The victory included a long list of can proudly display. this week or next week,” he perks for Henley, beginning with an The narrow Waialae CC course is not told his caddie shortly before invitation to the 2013 Masters. Henley one of the toughest on the PGA Tour, the start of the tournament. “I feel attended the Masters annually as a but no one has ever taken it apart as like I’m playing great right now, and youngster, and got to play the course a thoroughly as Henley did. I think something good is going to handful of times as a member of the Henley’s scores for the week were happen soon. I feel like I picked up UGA golf team. This year, he’ll be inside 63-63-67-63. His final round right where I left off with the the ropes, playing in front of thousands 63 matched the low score of the day, Web.com season and kind of carried of spectators, some of whom will Russell Henley over my confidence. undoubtedly be woofing for the recent [ See Henley, page 6 ] AL KOOISTRA Like Us on Facebook $!*(+$&#(.(&.(.!)+(%&)*$(&( &.(&( .), !+(.+*+.,-(-&(!+ Follow Us /.-,+*.)('&%(*$)&#-$("!) $((!*( on Twitter %%%-&&).-.&)-,! & *.)(!,(*&(,)&.(&#)(&+(/&#+(-&&(..)!(. .*(!*#)!+ @GolfFOREGeorgia /.-,+*.)(&,.(&)(!,(.*),.+(*&((!!$( ("!),.**! ( ( ((/!&()!%,-(*&(.($.("!) $(*$ SeasSeasonon Begins in MarMarch!rcch! 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Local & Corporate Sale: John Barrett/Rick Holt, Very few golfers enjoy practicing the Short Game: [email protected] short game. However, the short game (less Hit shots with several clubs from the same ART DIRECTOR Lori Montgomery than 50-yards) is where the true art of location in order to understand how they FACT: Everyone has an innate ability to CREATIVE SERVICES Catalina Montana “Scoring” is mastered. work and what each one does. judge the amount of power to exert CONTRIBUTORS The best place to start A PGA Teaching Professional or when tossing an object. We can use Ernie Boshers • Jeff Wallach • Bill Carpenter Robert Matre • Steve Dinberg • Al Kooistra improving your short game is a Golf Academy can guide you that innate judgment to control dis- tances of our chips and putts. the belief of its importance to through this and many other GEORGIA SECTION, you. Proper technique and parts of the golf swing that will PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS practice benefit the best save you strokes. STEP 1: Practice tossing a ball under- President players and most assuredly As with any training in any handed from just off the green – Brian Stubbs, PGA / [email protected] concentrate on specific distance! Vice President help the typical amateurs. Very sport, you must have fun and Mark Mongell, PGA / [email protected] few golfers have the capability your practice should be Notice that a smooth and fluid motion Secretary to hit the ball as far and as productive. Play competitive happens naturally without flipping Brian Albertson, PGA / [email protected] straight as professionals on TV. However, games with a fellow golfer at a practice your wrist or moving your body by Honorary President Patrick Richardson, PGA / [email protected] we all have the capability of hitting an range. Each taking turns trying to get the stepping like bowling. accurate shot from just off the green close closest to a target. How many in a row can CHAPTER PRESIDENTS enough to make the putt. All of us have you get in a 10-foot circle or land a ball STEP 2: From just off the green with a Central Chapter President that capability. We don’t have the tech- into a 5-gallon bucket? Good luck and 7-iron, place the ball slightly back in Mike Baker, PGA, [email protected] your stance