GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« APRIL 2011 Chestatee reclaiming status as elite course Standout Griffiths’ design among many assets

By Mike Blum number of daily fee courses in the metro area has been reduced due to the hen Chestatee Golf Club closing of some facilities and the con- opened for play in 1999, version to private status of others. Chestatee among state's best and most scenic designs the course quickly Affiniti Golf Partners assumed acquired the reputation management of Chestatee late in Was one of best and most popular daily fee 2010, and has begun the process of facilities in metro Atlanta. returning the club to the status it held Falls, Crystal Lake, the Georgia Club, Chestatee had a lot going for it, begin- during its early years. Georgia National, Georgia Vets, Old With an exception or two, length ning with a standout and scenic Denis “We’re coming back,” says Patrick Union, RiverPines and St. Marlo. is not a serious concern, in part due to Griffiths layout that was in quality con- Beidle, the club’s PGA head professional Chestatee is among his best efforts, the number of elevated tees. There are dition from day one. The setting at the and General Manager. “We’ve got a new offering an entertaining but serious only three par 4s with substantial foothills of the north Georgia moun- superintendent from Echelon (formerly challenge, particular to those of us yardage, and a few of the seemingly tains in proximity to Lake Lanier was the Georgia Tech Club), and we’re get- whose misses off the tee tend to drift to healthy par 5s may not be quite as another asset, as was the addition of per- ting the course back to where it was.” the right. strong as the yardage on the scorecard sonable head professional Jeff Paton, Griffiths, an Atlanta-based golf course The preponderance of trouble at indicates. who joined the staff a few years after the architect, has designed some of the Chestatee lurks along the right side, Chestatee’s overall length (it’s listed at club opened but has since returned to state’s finest daily fee courses, with his with Griffiths providing a sufficient 6,875 from the tips with gaps of 400 the Golf Club of Georgia. long list of creations including amount of room away from the trouble yards between each of the next two sets In recent years, however, Chestatee Brasstown Valley, all three courses at to avoid it, assuming you can leave your slipped into a lower profile, even as the Chateau Elan, Chicopee Woods, Crystal fade in the bag. [ See Chestatee, page 6 ]

Do Not Miss the May Issue: Register for this Junior Golf in Georgia month’s contest Tours Summer Camps Organizations Articles online at * * * golfforegeorgia.com! 5V0UP[PH[PVU-LL3PTP[LK*S\I(ZZVJPH[L4LTILYZOPWZ(]HPSHISL

3XUH*ROI3XUH3OHDVXUH3XUH3UHVWLJH 7KH6RXWK¶V)LQHVW3ULYDWH&OXE&RPPXQLW\ +ROH3ULYDWH&KDPSLRQVKLS&RXUVH‡3DU&RXUVH $FUH'ULYLQJ5DQJH 7RXU4XDOLW\&RQGLWLRQV‡([HFXWLYH&KHI 7XUQ*ULOO‡*ROI2XWLQJV:HOFRPHG 6T)W&OXEKRXVH‡:RUOG&ODVV6SD :HOOQHVV&HQWHU‡3URIHVVLRQDOO\6WDIIHG*ROI6KRS

est. 2002

*29(5125672:1(&/8% ZZZ*RYHUQRUV7RZQH&OXEFRP *RYHUQRUV7RZQH'ULYH‡$FZRUWK*HRUJLD JROI#JRYHUQRUVWRZQHFOXEFRP‡  

$/LPLWHG1XPEHURI&OXE$VVRFLDWH0HPEHUVKLSVDUH$YDLODEOH3OHDVHFDOOIRULQIRUPDWLRQWRGD\

2 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 Go on-roading.

» MEET OUR FIRST STREET LEGAL VEHICLE

Balancing safety, convenience and eco-inspired living, the new E-Z-GO® 2Five™ makes running errands, meeting for coffee or cruising the neighborhood more enjoyable. It’s street legal on most public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less and features a 48-volt AC electric powertrain, three-point seat belts, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, a 12-volt accessory outlet and an on-board charger. Combined with high performance, a low carbon footprint and a wealth of unexpected features, the 2Five is the perfect complement to any lifestyle.

Golf Rider, Inc. T&T Sales, LLC 100 Huddleston Road 4470 HWY 136 W Peachtree City, GA 30269 Trenton, GA 30752 (770) 631-0014 (706) 657-2676

Learn more at www.ezgo.com/2fi ve.

© 2010 E-Z-GO Division of Textron Inc.

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 3 Instruction Fore You

3021 Kalah Place, Marietta, GA 30067 770-933-04GA • 770-953-6638 (Fax) golfforegeorgia.com • [email protected] PUBLISHER Golf Media, Inc. • John Barrett EDITOR Mike Blum JUNIOR GOLF COORDINATOR Sand Shots – Easiest Shot in Golf Ashley Hanna SOCIAL MEDIA/ CREATIVE SERVICES By Steve Godley A normal swing will be made striking your There are other things that we encounter Chelsea Hanson PGA Assistant / Teaching Professional mark and taking the ball out on a pillow when we find ourselves in the sand. Buried CONTRIBUTORS The Golf Club @ Sanctuary Cove of sand. lies for example. The only thing that needs Steve Godley Head Professional, Bird Golf Academy Other than the set-up, there are other changing when we are faced with this situa- Steve Dinberg Al Kooistra mistakes that amateur players make. First tion is how we set up to the shot. Start by Lake-Finlay Image Group This article is titled this way and foremost that I see is the setting up in the same manner as for a Georgia Golf Course Owners Association because I have made this state- same mistake that is made normal bunker shot, only playing the spot MARKETING & ADVERTISING ment in clinics only to hear with a chip or pitch shot. that you are going to strike the sand slightly John Barrett, Sales Rick Holt, Corporate Sales sarcastic responses like “sure”, Deceleration! That is taking the towards your right foot. Keep in mind ART DIRECTOR and “yeah, right!” But in reality, club too far back and slowing that the ball will come out with no spin Lori Montgomery no truer words were spoken. through the hitting area. Bunker and therefore will roll farther. Remember, And why is it the easiest shot in shots are nothing but a pitch as in a normal bunker shot to finish the GEORGIA SECTION, golf? It's the only shot where you shot in the sand. swing motion. PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS are not trying to strike the ball! The technique for a bunker The one other shot from a bunker that we President Patrick Richardson, PGA • [email protected] The ball simply floats out on a shot and a pitch shot is a short must address is from a fairway bunker. To Vice President pillow of sand. backswing into a full follow through. One properly play this particular shot, choose a Brian Stubbs, PGA • In defense of amateur players, a lot of of the reasons for the deceleration is club that will allow you to advance the ball [email protected] their bunker problems and mistakes stem because it is a short shot. Our mind tells us the greatest distance without hitting the top Secretary Mark Mongell, PGA from being taught improperly. Not saying that it does not take a lot of force to move lip of the bunker. [email protected] that my method is the only one, but I have the ball a short distance, so when a long Proper execution of this shot requires that Honorary President seen it work time and time again. We are all backswing is made we slow the club to try the ball be played back in the stance, off the Jim Arendt, PGA • [email protected] taught that for a basic bunker shot, we and ease the force. right foot. The reason for this is because we CHAPTER PRESIDENTS open the clubface, open our stance, place The club only needs to be taken back want to strike the ball before the sand. No Central Chapter President the ball in the middle of the stance and waist high. This way, there is acceleration body motion can be used for this shot, it is Jarred Reneau, PGA • [email protected] attempt to strike the sand 2 – 3 inches through the shot and our prime objective an arm swing only. East Chapter President behind the ball. of getting the ball out of the bunker is In this article, the basic bunker shots were Steve Godley, PGA • [email protected] North Chapter President The last part of that statement is the accomplished. Just as in all short game addressed to hopefully help you extricate Ted Fort, PGA • [email protected] thing that doesn't make sense to me. Why shots, the club head should never pass the yourself from this hazard in the fewest would I set up to the ball as if it were a hands. The hands must be leading all of the amount of strokes. However, there are dif- AT- LARGE DIRECTORS fairway shot and then try to hit somewhere way through the shot. ferent situations that we are faced with that Daryl Batey, PGA else? If I were to ask you to set up this way Another mistake that is commonly made require a little imagination. [email protected] Roger Cherico, PGA and hit 4 feet behind the ball, that is exactly by a good deal of players is not finishing So with practice the common bunker [email protected] what you would do, hit 4 feet behind the the entire swing. Because it is for the most shots will improve and you will find that John Crumbley, PGA ball. Very difficult. part a relatively short shot, players tend to your imagination seems to improve also. [email protected] My method is a little different. Yes, we stop the motion once they impact the Take the time to practice and improve!! Jeff Dunovant, PGA [email protected] want to have an open clubface and stance sand. This refers back to the prime objec- If you feel that you are having a problem John Godwin, PGA to add loft, but try instead of setting up to tive of getting the ball out of the bunker! with these shots or other areas of your game [email protected] the ball as you would a fairway shot, try set- Everyone seems to be afraid of hitting the contact your PGA Professional for help. Scott Mahr, PGA ting up to the spot where you would like to ball too far, so they stop their swing, forget- [email protected] Michael Raymond, PGA strike the sand, as if the ball was not there. ting the prime objective. [email protected]

SENIOR DIVISION President Gordon McIntire, PGA • [email protected] INSIDE THIS ISSUE Assistants’ Division President David Potts, PGA • [email protected] DEPARTMENTS: FEATURES: DEPARTMENTS: Executive Director Mike Paull Assistant Executive Director/ StadionTK Classic Legends of Golf preview. . . 14 College roundup ...... 22 Junior golf Director Scott Gordon at UGA preview ...... 8 Tournament Director Pat Day, PGA Golf Fore Juniors ...... 25 Operations Manager Eric Wagner Masters analysis ...... 16 Section Assistant Traci Waters South Georgia Classic Chip shots...... 26 preview ...... 10 Frank Chirkinian tribute . . 18 FOREGeorgia is produced by Golf Media, Inc. Forecast Road to the 2011 PGA: Copyright ©2010 with all rights reserved. Atlanta Athletic Club history...... 28 Reproduction or use, without permission, Tour feature: Georgia PGA pro-file: of editorial or graphic content is prohibited. Paul Claxton ...... 12 Ted Fort ...... 20 Course reviews ...... 30 Georgia PGA web site: www.georgiapga.com. Please send press releases TK to [email protected]

4 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 Make It Your Year! Check out what’s new for 2011! Join Today to Experience Great Lakeside golf… Competition on Great Courses! just a short drive away! Flighted to ensure fair competition! Now sporting new affordable rates, come enjoy one of North Georgia’s true treasures. With mountainous terrain and lake views, this course is sure to be one of your favorites.

Night Fire Dr. Dogwood Way 400

Earn YOURS in 2011! 136

ChestateeGolfClub.com • 706-216-7336 Atlanta 777 Dogwood Way | Dawsonville, GA 30534

THE ONLY TOM WATSON DESIGN IN GEORGIA

***Go online for our 2 for 1 Membership Special!*** NOW AWAITS We invite you to enjoy this extraordinary golf experience. Situated in North Fulton’s most acclaimed golf community, The Manor is now offering limited non-member tee times daily. Treat yourself and or your clients to a memorable day at this prestigious club. ENJOY THE MANOR FOR: www.AGATOUR.com 770-935-6864 $69 TUESDAY-THURSDAY | $89 FRIDAY-SUNDAY Visit our website or give us a call for more information. BOOK YOUR TEE TIME TODAY! AGA Sponsors

ManorGCC.com | 678-366-3886 15951 Manor Club Drive | Alpharetta, Georgia 30004

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 impacts play in a variety of areas, and is one of the most demanding par 4s including around the greens, where the you’ll encounter. Like the 9th, the ability to get the ball in the air and land fairway angles to the left with a lake softly can be very useful. The putting looming off the right edge of the fairway surfaces, on the other hand, are on the that will swallow up tee shots that drift gentle side, with a few modest false just a bit. fronts and divided levels that have only Unlike the 4th, which eases up a bit if minimal differences between tiers. you hit it solidly off the tee, a finger of The most intriguing of the interesting the lake just in front of the 8th green group of par 5s is the 16th, which pro- presents a challenge for shorter hitters to vides two differing paths to the green. carry it with their second shots. For The safe route is down the left side, longer hitters, the main obstacle is a size- although a row of trees able front left bunker that makes it that divides the two corri- extremely difficult to challenge any pin dors can be a problem if position cut behind it. Par-3 11th hole your second shot Beginning at the 3rd hole, seven of the does not clear them to next nine have water in play to one Lake Lanier in the background achieve the best angle for degree or another, with the distant view on 17th hole a short third. of Lake Lanier from the 17th tee the only The more adven- hazard in sight from that point. turous right side The most interesting of the par 4s Chestatee’s terrain includes some severely coming in are the downhill 13th and rolling terrain, along uphill 18th. The 13th offers the oppor- part of its challenge tunity to take a big rip from the tee to set [ Continued from the cover ] up a testy downhill approach to a green surrounded by sand, with the rear bunkers keeping over-clubbed of tees) is a bit deceptive, since the approaches from plunging down course plays to a par 71 with five par 3s, short iron to provide a a hillside. making it the equivalent of a par 72 in birdie opportunity, pre- The length and uphill nature of the 7,100-yard category. suming you did not the 18th makes it a demanding fin- None of the par 3s has much length, venture off course from ishing hole, with a well-struck drive either, with a few of them playing signif- the tee. required to clear the crest of the hill. icantly downhill. Most notable among The opening hole is With the clubhouse in the back- the group are the short, over-water third, more inviting, with large ground, the view for the approach which features a well-guarded, two-tier mounds and a number shot is appealing, but you have to green, and the gorgeous 17th, which of bunkers the only real Dangerous 4th hole carry the ascending landing area to offers an ample target with Lake Lanier impediments to a suc- appreciate it. clearly visible in the background for the cessful start. Griffiths From the back tees, Chestatee is only time during the round. gives you a chance to get something with trees and sand. The approach angle rated at 72.5 with a slope of 137. The The 11th also requires a carry over going early, as the par-5 opener is is not quite as friendly, but for big hit- numbers are 70.7/134 from the blues and water, but as a group Chestatee’s par 3s followed by a short and potentially ters, it represents the best chance to get 68.8/130 from the whites, with the slope are among the tamer you’ll encounter, vulnerable par 4 and the downhill home in two among the par 5s. figures a reflection on the potential danger with the slightly uphill 7th the only one par-3 third, where the water is only a As is the case on almost every Griffiths’ Griffiths’ layout presents. that might require more than a short iron concern if you suffer a serious miss-hit design, Chestatee sports a very diverse Thanks to its nicely-spaced, five sets of for most players. from the tee. group of par 4s both in terms of style and tees, Chestatee will provide a comfort- able option for all skill levels. It also offers the choice of moving up or Chestatee sports a very diverse group of back a set depending on course condi- tions, enabling players to decide how much of a challenge they are up for par 4s both in terms of style and difficulty. that day. Chestatee is a semi-private facility, and Both nines begin with elevated tee All four par 5s present scoring oppor- difficulty. Three of the par 4s on the is currently offering memberships with shots on par 5s that are not nearly as tunities – even for the front nine are among the holes where no initiation and very reasonable rates daunting as the listed yardage (590 and distance-challenged – but some accurate water looms menacingly down the right for individuals and families. The daily fee 580 from the tips), Each hole turns right placement and strategic thinking will side, most perilously on the two toughest rates are also an excellent bargain for a after the tee shot, with the 10th among come in handy. The 9th angles left off holes on the course. course of its caliber, and for golfers in the Chestatee’s collection of holes where the tee, with a creek snaking down the The 4th has length (450/430/410 north metro area, it’s an easy ride up right is wrong. The tree line along the right side and very much in play on both from the three back sets of tees), water all Georgia 400 just a few miles past the right side includes a hazard just below the tee shot and second. The lay-up area the way down the right side that impacts outlet malls. the surface of the fairway, with any tee is not very wide, with mounds left also both the drive and approach and a shot heading in that direction almost cer- having to be avoided to set up a short challenging green with some tain to result in a penalty stroke. third to a wide, shallow green that is quick putts from above the hole For information on Chestatee: The approach shot must also carry a hidden behind a front bunker and fea- with plenty of break www.chestateegolf.net pond that fronts a small target and tures plenty of slope. The 8th is the No.1 handicap 706-216-7336 or 800-520-8675 requires considerable precision with a The rolling terrain at Chestatee hole at Chestatee for a reason,

6 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 Stadion Classic already making its mark

Piller was in just his second season on New UGA event a big Nationwide hit the Nationwide Tour after graduating from Texas A&M in 2008. He played well as a rookie in ’09 and did even better score. Some weeks on the Nationwide played the same week as the PGA Tour last year to earn a spot on the PGA Tour. By Mike Blum Tour, 4-under par barely makes the cut. stop at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, He moved into contention in Athens he Stadion Classic at UGA In Athens last year, 4-under par was good which draws one of that tour’s strongest with a third round 64, and despite man- returns to Athens after a suc- enough to tie for 10th place, with the fields. A number of players with PGA aging just one birdie in a final round 71, cessful debut last year, with tournament one of the few on tour Tour status will not get into the field came from one shot behind after 54 another strong field expected where the cut line was over par. in Charlotte. With the Players holes to win when Summerhays bogeyed forT what is becoming one of the top The UGA course, which plays to a par Championship and the Colonial two of the final three holes to close with events on the Nationwide Tour. 71 after the renovations several years ago Invitation the next two weeks, those a 73. This year’s tournament will be played by Davis Love’s design firm, measures a players are looking at the possibility of Kisner’s tie for 10th was the best finish May 5-8, the week after healthy 7,240 three straight tournaments in which they by the seven current or former UGA the Nationwide Tour yards, with seven will be unable to play. golfers in the field. He won the makes its annual stop of the 11 par 4s Last year’s Nationwide event in Athens Nationwide tournament later in the in Valdosta for the averaging just over 460. was also played opposite the Quail season in Pittsburgh and finished the South Georgia Classic. Although it ranked as one of the Hollow tournament, and as a result, year 11th in earnings. From 2006-09, the tournament was tougher courses the Nationwide Tour a number of veterans with names Chris Kirk, Kisner’s teammate on played at nearby Jennings Mill Country visited in 2010, the Robert Trent Jones- familiar to golf fans teed it up at Georgia’s NCAA Championship team in Club under the title sponsorship of the designed layout still yielded a sizeable the UGA course. 2005, was in contention for a top-10 Athens Regional Foundation. It moved to number of low scores daily. Three players Among those who played in Athens finish, but suffered through a poor final the University of Georgia course last year, shot 66 in the first round, former UGA last year were former PGA Tour winners nine and wound up tied for 34th at 283. with money management firm Stadion golfer Kevin Kisner recorded a 65 the Jonathan Kaye, Steve Pate, Robert Kirk scored the first of his two 2010 vic- taking over the title sponsorship role. next day and a pair of 64s were posted on Gamez, Mark Hensby, Glen Day, tories six weeks later in Arkansas, and The event was well-received by the the weekend, including one in the third Frank Lickliter, Joe Durant and Jason went on to finish 2nd on the money list. players, who praised both the quality of round by eventual winner Martin Piller. Gore. Stephen Leaney and Bob May, He is off to a strong start on the PGA the renovated UGA layout and the Kisner, Piller and runner-up Daniel who both nearly won major champi- Tour this year, and will likely be com- course conditions, which were pristine Summerhays all finished among the onships, also played, as did Mark peting that week in Charlotte. for tournament week. tour’s 25 leading money winners last Brooks, a former PGA champion, and Tournament officials awarded two of As expected, the UGA course gave the year, but there’s a good chance at least Arjun Atwal, who went on to win a their sponsor exemptions to the top two players a battle. Only three players fin- two of them will not get into the field for PGA Tour event later in 2010. players on last year’s UGA golf team, and ished the week in double figures under the PGA Tour event that week. Of that group, Atwal and Kaye posted both acquitted themselves commend- par, with 12-under 272 the winning The Stadion Classic at UGA is being the strongest showings, tying for 10th at ably. Harris English opened with a 68 4-under 280, eight strokes behind Piller’s and finished the tournament at 2-under winning total. 282, tying for 27th. Teammate Russell Most of the names at the top of the Henley almost caught English the final Pars propel Piller One day after shooting a 64, final leader board were unfamiliar to the day, firing a 67 to tie to for 34th at 283. fans who attended last year’s event The two are competing with teammate 2010 Stadion Classic champion Martin Piller in Athens, with none of the four Hudson Swafford for the two UGA recorded 16 pars in the final round, with his primary contenders having any PGA spots in the field. Tour experience. Brian Harman, a former teammate of even par 71 enough to give him a come- Henley and English who was playing in from-behind victory. his first season as a professional, made it into the field in a Monday qualifier and tied for 18th at 281, highlighted by a third round 66. Harman, who enjoyed a successful rookie season as a pro playing primarily on the eGolf Tour, will likely have to go through Monday qualifying again this year. The tournament’s two Monday quali- fiers will be played at Jennings Mill and Achasta GC, with seven players advancing from each site. Three Georgia PGA members will also earn spots in the field, two from a Section qualifier at the UGA course April 11. Among the Georgia PGA members who made it into the field last year was UGA head professional Matt Peterson, a

[ See Stadion Classic, page 28 ] Scenic 12th hole at UGA

8 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 Please join us for the Stadion Classic at UGA May 2-8 Tickets On Sale Now Help support the Athens community by purchasing tickets to the Stadion Classic at UGA. Local nonprofit beneficiaries will receive 100% of revenue from all ticket sales through the Regional FirstCare TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ program. www.stadionclassic.uga.edu

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 Success has eluded Valdosta winners Nationwide event has ‘graduated’ just one champ

By Mike Blum PGA Tour, and that for just a brief stay. he Nationwide Tour exists as While the tourna- a path to the PGA Tour, with ment’s champions the quickest way to get there haven’t enjoyed much a victory on golf’s develop- success after their victo- mentalT circuit. ries, a few of the Kinderlou Hole# 6 Just as long as that victory doesn’t runner-ups have. come in Valdosta. Matt Jones, who John Kimbell he has made just Broadaway, a Nationwide Tour veteran The South Georgia Classic will be finished one shot 20 cuts and fin- who finished 90th in earnings last played for the fifth time later this behind Kimbell in ished higher than season, made the cut, shot another 68 in month (April 28-May 1) at 2007, has played 23rd on only the third round and ended up tied for Kinderlou Forest GC, and this on the PGA Tour each of the last three occasions. 43rd to earn $17,350, equivalent to a year’s winner will hope for four seasons, and finished among But those three other tournaments top-10 finish on the Nationwide Tour. better post-Valdosta results the top 60 in the FedExCup include two wins and a T3, with his Swainsboro’s Will Claxton, a than the previous tourna- standings last year. other victory coming in Australia in Nationwide Tour rookie, and ment champions. DeCorso has done 2008. Porter got into that co-sanctioned Sandersville’s David Robinson, who has Only Garth Mulroy, the little since his win in 2008, but event as a member of the Australasian seen little tournament action in his two 2009 South Georgia Classic runner-up Bryce Molder has Tour, and used it earn Nationwide years on tour, also missed out on the first winner, went on to qualify for the PGA enjoyed back-to-back excellent seasons Tour status. two events of 2011, and are hoping to Tour the following year. His stay lasted on the PGA Tour the last two years, For the second straight year, the South get a chance to play in Valdosta. Claxton only one season, although he has a minor placing 63rd on the money list in both Georgia Classic will be played opposite played in the PGA Tour event in Tampa medical extension after missing several ’09 and ’10. the PGA Tour stop in New Orleans, as a Monday qualifier, and also made late-season tournaments last year. While Porter made just four cuts the which annually draws a relatively weak the cut. Last year’s winner – Australia’s Ewan rest of the 2010 season and never fin- field that will likely feature even fewer Paul Claxton (no relation to Will) is Porter – finished 54th on the money list. ished better than 23rd after his win in prominent players this year. guaranteed a spot in the field and will be Only six tournament champions who Valdosta, the player he edged out for As a result, almost all of the players looking for another strong showing, played a full schedule did not end up in his victory has definitely made a name who split their schedules between the having recorded top-10 finishes in both the top 25, the cutoff for moving up to for himself. PGA and Nationwide Tours will likely 2007 and 2009 at Kinderlou Forest. the PGA Tour, and Porter was at the Jhonattan Vegas went on to win in get into the New Orleans event, while Kimbell is another player with positive bottom of that group. Wichita later last year and has already players with limited Nationwide Tour memories of tournament appearances in Former Georgia resident John scored a victory as a PGA Tour rookie, will have a chance to get into the field Valdosta, winning a Hooters Tour event Kimbell, who won the first South taking a playoff in the Bob Hope Classic. in Valdosta. at Kinderlou Forest the year before he Georgia Classic in 2007, finished well Porter has played on the Nationwide Three of the four Nationwide Tour captured the first Nationwide Tour tour- outside the top 25 that year, as did 2008 Tour since 2005 and has compiled a members with south Georgia roots did nament held in Valdosta. tournament champion Bryan DeCorso, record that makes him arguably the not get into either of the first two events Augusta’s Scott Brown tied for 8th last leaving Mulroy as the only Valdosta leading example of being an all or of the season, and are unlikely to make it year in the South Georgia Classic as a winner who has made his way to the nothing competitor. In 80 career starts, directly into the field before the South Nationwide Tour rookie, and is off to a Georgia Classic. strong start this season, tying for 3rd Without a chance to play in the early in the rain-shortened tournament Nationwide tournaments in Panama and in Colombia. Smoltz in the field Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Colombia, Albany’s Josh Broadaway The tournament has been a fixture on John Smotlz has received a sponsor's exemption competed in Monday qualifying for the the Golf Channel in its early years, but PGA Tour Honda Classic, played his way will not be televised for the first time this for the South Georgia Classic. Smoltz played into the field. After an opening 78 on the demanding layout at PGA National, in the 2010 Georgia Open and tied for 29th, [ See South Georgia Classic, page 28 ] Broadaway responded with a second finishing at 1-under 287 at Savannah Harbor. round 68, highlighted by a pair of birdies on both of the treacherous He shot 69-70 on the weekend, highlighted by For information, visit par 3s that are part of the infa- a hole-in-one in the final round. www.southgeorgiaclassic.com mous “Bear Trap.”

10 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 AL KOOISTA 12 “I liketoplaycourses By MikeBlum UGA andaState Amateurchampion. name ingolfasamemberoftheteamat Claxton attendedcollegeandmadehis Tour toAthens, proceeds where northeast Claxton’s oldschoolSouthern drawl. making Valdosta fitfor acomfortable roots extendtohishometown of Vidalia, the past13years andhissouthGeorgia familiar territory. the veteran tourpro, butare definitely which actuallyrepresent homegamesfor May 1)andAthens (May 5-8),neitherof annual stopsin Valdosta (April 28- to makedailycommuteshome. home, althoughit’s notlikehe’ll beable will beabletooperatealittlecloser utive weeks inthenextmonth,Claxton in anairlinecommercial. But forconsec- the lyricsofJohnny Cashsongused and CentralSouth America. the occasionaltriptoAustralia, Canada, S Claxton looks forward toClaxton looksforward 2 games’‘home The following week, theNationwide Claxton haslived onSt. Simons Island The Nationwide Tour makesits Claxton’s reads like annualitinerary where parisagoodscore.” Paul Claxton GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM trade allacross theU.S.,with time ontheroad, plyinghis Claxton ince themid-1990s, has spentmuchofhis Georgia onthemindofveterantourpro Paul they’ve made.” dition it’s inand theimprovements It’s exciting toseethefacilityincon- was goingtobebetterthanhow itwas. made are good,andanythingthey did all you canaskfor. The changesthey’ve It’s funtoseewhatthey’ve donewithit. shape andwe didn’t playitthatmuch. school, thecoursewasnever ingood Love’s Iwasinthe designfirm.“When the renovation ofthecourseby Davis the late1980sandearly‘90s. played there duringhiscollegedaysin been changedconsiderablysincehe respectable onacoursethathas effort last year, andClaxtonturnedina Jennings Mill from 2006-09. Athens tournamentwasplayed at recorded twotop-20finisheswhenthe hosted aNationwide Tour event and in thefouryears KinderlouForest has Athens. He hasapairoftop-10finishes Valdosta andtheStadion UGAClassicin naments –theSouth Georgia Classicin in awhileandgettorelax alittle.” domestic schedulefor2011. oftheNationwidethe start Tour’s daysbeforefew headingtoLouisianafor I’ve played agoodbit.” Claxtonsaida Forest andtheUniversity course;ones on coursesthecaliberofKinderlou back-to-back weeks inhishomestate. beforeCalifornia scheduledshortly the Colombia andLouisiana,withastopin having already played inPanama, tobotheventslooking forward after season ontheNationwide Tour, is Both KinderlouForest andtheUGA “It wasimmaculatelastyear andthat’s “Davis didagreat job,” Claxtonsaysof That event moved totheUGAcourse Claxton hasplayed well inbothtour- “I gettoseesomefriendsIhaven’t seen “It’s alwaysfuntoplayclosehome Claxton, whoisplayinghis13th course are amongthelongestand strongest coursestohost Nationwide Tour events, but Claxton is comfortable onboth Claxton iscomfortable despite theirlengthandhis relative deficiency inthat department. “Bull Durham.” record-holderminor leaguehomerun in version ofCrash Davis, thecareer golf’s player toreach $1 million,makinghim leader Darron Stiles. He wasthefirst with $1.4million,andiswithinrangeof stands secondontheall-timemoneylist and thesuccesshehasenjoyed, Claxton County Open. win comingin’07thePrince George’s Louisiana event in2001,withhislast career Nationwide Tour titles. in ’01,bothcoincidingwithhistwo ished ashigh10thin’07andwas17th 2009 whenheslippedto90th.He fin- money listjustonce,thatcomingin Claxton hasfinishedbelow 61stonthe the Nationwide Tour. ever he’s teeditupduringhiscareer on takes 22or23undertowin.” like that,more thancourseswhere it under. I’ve donepretty goodoncourses around even par, maybetwoorthree good score. Most ofthetimeIshoot Kinderlou andtheUGAcourse. longer, more difficultcourseslike there.”comfortable that’s whatIgrew upon.Ifeelpretty throughout theyear onBermuda, but usedthere.surfaces credits thatsuccesstotheBermuda grass iated withthePGA Tour. In he part, longest coursetohostatournamentaffil- Kinderlou Forest, even thoughitisthe That’s thewayyoung guysplay.” up, theyjusthave awedge inhand. just bombit320andwherever itends isnoadvantage. hitting fairways They cessful, butsince Tiger andMickelson, drive the ball really straighttobesuc- tour,” herecalls. “You usedtohave to no longerhighlyvalued. hitting itstraight,anattributehesaysis any standard. tee shot(285yards) by isnotshort drive than Claxton,althoughhistypical only about20averaged feweryards per who figured intheofficialstatsfor2010, Thanks tohislongevityonthetour, Claxton wontheearly-season In 12seasonsasatourmember, Claxton hasplayed pretty well wher- “I liketoplaycourseswhere parisa Claxton doesn’t mindplayingon “We don’t playawholelotoftimes Claxton hasenjoyed success at “It’s notlikewhenIfirstcameouton Claxton hasmadehislivingingolfby Of the138 Nationwide Tour players never facedthatdecision.” what Icoulddo. Knockonwood,I’ve thought aboutitalittle,butIdon’t know laughed andreplied, “Ihave noidea.I’ve thing else.” at aPGA Tour leveltodosome- “I’ll try point where hedoesn’t thinkhecan play That’s whatallof uswanttodo.” of mycareer. My goalisthePGA Tour. Tour, “Idon’t wanttoplayitfortherest years hehasspentontheNationwide out there.” togetting back looking forward Physically, I’m ingoodshapeandI’m I’ve gotsomegoodgolfinme. There’s nodoubtaboutthat.Istillfeel opportunity. well ashedidin2007tohave that at thePGA Tour, andneedstoplayas year, islookingforatleastonemore shot elite tournaments. which didnotgethimintothemore on thePGA Tour due tohisstatus, Claxton, whorarely wasabletodothat play fourorfive weeks inarow,” says ofmomentum. any sort liked, andfounditdifficulttobuildup many tournamentsashewouldhave Claxton wasnever abletogetintoas he never played well onthe West Coast, percent of theevents heentered. Because finish andmadethecutinjustunder40 Tour, Claxtonnever recorded atop-10 a solidseasonin2010. year slump whichhesnappedoutofwith ofatwo- disappointing 218th,thestart money list.His lasttimeout, hewasa leagues, hefinishedaround 180thonthe best Nationwide Tour finishin’07. PGA Tour seasontheresult ofhiscareer made itthrough Q-school,withhislast 2005 and2008. The firstthree timeshe in fourseparateyears –1997,2002, know Icanplayatahigherlevel.” it. I’ve played alotofgoodgolfandI and I’ve taken somethingpositive outof ment. “It’s how you choosetolookatit says oftheconnotationshisachieve- When askedwhatthatmightbe,he Claxton saysifheever getstothe Although Claxtonhasenjoyed the “I wanttobeonthePGA Tour. Claxton, whoturned43earlierthis “I tendtoplaybetterwhenIget During hisfouryears on the PGA major In hisfirstthree seasonsingolf’s Claxton hasplayed onthePGA Tour “You canlookatiteitherway,” Claxton APRIL 2011 2XWKHUHWKHELJJHVWKDQGLFDSLVNHHSLQJ\RXUKHDGGRZQ

  RIWKHPRVWVWULNLQJO\EHDXWLIXOKROHVRIJROI\RXuOOHYHUSOD\DUH ZDLWLQJ IRU \RX DW )ULSS ,VODQG 6RXWK &DUROLQD  7KH 2FHDQ 3RLQW OLQNV FRXUVHGHVLJQHGE\*HRUJH&REEERDVWVKROHVZLWKVWXQQLQJYLHZVRI WKHRFHDQRULQOHW2QWKHVRXWKHQGRIWKHLVODQGLV2FHDQ&UHHN'DYLV /RYH,,,uVILUVWVLJQDWXUHFRXUVH2FHDQ&UHHNLVRQHPDJQLILFHQWSDQRUDPLF YLHZDIWHUDQRWKHURIWKHJUHDWVDOWPDUVKDQGIUHVKZDWHUODNHV%XWEULQJ \RXUv$wJDPHZKHQ\RXFRPHEHFDXVHWKHVHFRXUVHVFDQEHDWHVWRI\RXU VNLOOVDQGWHPSHUDPHQW)RUUHVHUYDWLRQVFDOORUOHDUQPRUH DERXWXVDWZZZIULSSLVODQGUHVRUWFRP&RPHSOD\LQWKHQDWXUDOEHDXW\RI RXULVODQGLQWKHVXQ -YPWW0ZSHUKŠ .63- ),(*/9,:69;

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 Legends of Golf faces coastal conflict Geiberger-Jim Powell (129) and Butch Savannah event held opposite Heritage Baird-Bobby Nichols (131). A total of 19 teams competed last year, including former Masters champion Tommy Aaron of Gainesville, running event at nearby Hilton Head is bumped Hilton Head from its tradi- By Mike Blum Cedartown native Doug Sanders, in danger of going the way of the tional spot on the schedule. former Savannah club professional Jim ver since the Liberty Mutual BellSouth Classic and Buick Challenge, The Heritage Classic will be played Ferree, now a Hilton Head resident, and Legends of Golf landed in Georgia PGA Tour stops that are no April 21-24 in what could be its finale, former Atlantan Larry Mowry. Savannah in 2003, golf fans longer played. the same week as the Liberty Mutual After two days of pro-ams, tourna- along the southeast Georgia The Heritage Classic was first played in Legends of Golf. With Savannah and ment action resumes on Friday with the coastE have become accustomed to back- 1969, and went almost two decades Hilton Head only about an hour’s drive first round of both the Legends and to-back weeks of pro tour events in April. before MCI signed up as the tournament’s apart, area golf fans are faced with the Raphael Divisions, with the latter con- First came the PGA Tour Heritage title sponsor. For more than two decades, decision of which tournament they tested over 36 holes. John Bland and Classic on Hilton Head Island, a telecommunications com- choose to attend. Graham Marsh won last year’s Raphael which traditionally fol- pany served as title sponsor, Both tournaments will be televised on Division at 13-under 131, shooting a lowed the Masters and with the tournament the weekend by CBS, providing area offi- final round 63 to erase the 4-stroke lead has been a long-time renamed the Verizon cials with five consecutive hours of of Bruce Lietzke and Bill Rogers, who favorite for players Heritage in 2006. network television time, while giving were second at 132. looking to decompress Verizon dropped its fans in attendance at one the opportu- NBC announcers Gary Koch and from the intense Augusta sponsorship after 2009, nity to catch some of the action an hour Roger Maltbie, who won the previous atmosphere. and the PGA Tour and tourna- away at the other. two years, were third at 134. Also among Then came the Legends of Golf, the ment officials have searched for a new The Legends is the lone team compe- the 22 players in the Raphael Division tournament that gave birth to the Senior title sponsor since, to no avail. The pos- tition on the Champions Tour, returning field was Augusta native Jim Dent, who (now Champions) Tour. The tourna- sibility exists that the tournament may to its roots in 2008 after a six-year run as still makes occasional Champions Tour ment has moved around the country drop off the PGA Tour schedule if no a hybrid individual/team event. appearances at the age of 71. since it was first played in 1978, going replacement for Verizon is secured, and The tournament was first played at A total of 33 teams played in the from Austin, Tex., to the southern the absence of a title sponsor has placed Onion Creek CC in Austin in 1978, and Legends Division last year, with almost California desert to northeast Florida the tournament near the bottom of the made its first big splash on the national every player of any note on the before finding what appears to be a per- tour’s pecking order. scene the next year, when the competing Champions Tour in the field. The lone manent home in Savannah. When the sponsor of another PGA teams of Julius Boros/Roberto de exception was Fred Funk, who played While the Legends of Golf has thrived Tour event (Texas energy company Vicenzo and Tommy Bolt/Art Wall that week in the PGA Tour stop in during its first eight years on Georgia’s Valero) decided it wanted the post- engaged in an epic playoff battle on New Orleans. southeast coast, the PGA Tour’s long- Masters date, the tour complied and national television. Mark O’Meara and Nick Price were Liberty Mutual signed on as title last year’s winning team in a playoff, sponsor in 1980, and along with four Par-5 eighth hole at Savannah Harbor shooting 28-under 188 before going two other stroke play tournaments, was part extra holes to win over the team of John of the very limited Senior Tour schedule Cook and Joey Sindelar. that year, which included the first U.S. O’Meara and Price shot 62 in the first Senior Open. and third rounds, with Cook and From 1978-2001, the Liberty Mutual Sindelar opening with a 62 and closing Legends of Golf was considered an unof- with a 61 to force the playoff. O’Meara ficial event because of its team format. and Price won with a par and the long That changed in 2002, when the tourna- par-4 18th, the demanding finishing ment was played for the first time in a hole at the outstanding Savannah stroke play format. The tournament con- Harbor layout, which was designed by tinued to incorporate team competition Atlanta-based architect Bob Cupp. in its schedule, with a concurrent team Price and O’Meara, who had not won event that involved mainly older or less on the Champions Tour until last year’s competitive Champions Tour players. Legends, took home $230,000 each In 2008, the tournament returned to from a purse of $2.7 million. The two its original format, with three separate winning teams in the other divisions split team competitions spanning five days. $120,000 each. Tournament week begins on Monday Tying for fourth at 193 were with the first of two days of competition defending champions Bernhard Langer in the Demaret Division for players at and Tom Lehman along with Jay Haas least 70 years old. and Fred Couples, who was making his Gary Player and Bob Charles won for first appearance in the tournament. Haas the second straight time in 2010, posting won the tournament the last two times it a 19-under 125 total that included an was played as an individual stroke play opening round 61. Three other teams event in 2006 and ’07. shot 61 the next day, including Tom Shaw and Don Bies, who were second at 127. Also closing with a 61 were Al [ See Legends of Golf, page 28 ]

APRIL 2011 < 1+3-<;67?76 ;)4- • Daily ticket just $15+ in advance • Daily River Club* ticket just $25+ in advance • Weekly River Club ticket just $75+ in advance

April 18-24, 2011 Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

< 7 8=:+0);->1;1<4547/+75 *Includes food and beverage for purchase, indoor seating, TVs and extra grounds tickets. +Prices exclusive of applicable tax and fees.

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Will history provide Masters answers? The conventional wisdom that the Recent form or Augusta record: hottest golfers automatically go to the top of the list of most likely contenders which aspect will matter most? in the current tournament is quite preva- lent but frequently erroneous, as evidenced by the last four Masters cham- By Mike Blum McIlroy have not been featured players McDowell, will receive plenty of pre- pions. On the other hand, the five on golf’s international stage for that long. tournament attention, but the two to Masters winners from 2002 to 2006 hen attempting to assess Beginning with the ascent of Seve watch may be Luke Donald and offer proof that the wisdom part has which players have the Ballesteros, Europeans won 11 of 20 Paul Casey. some validity. best chance to contend Masters in the 1980s and ‘90s, but have Donald tied for 3rd in his first If the “hot golfer” theory is an accurate in the 2011 Masters, the been shut out since. Golfers from all over Masters, and having established his resi- predictor, you have an impressive list of logicalW place to start is with the history of the world have won in Augusta since dence in the U.S., seems more potential challengers that includes some the tournament and the records of the 2000, just no one from Europe. comfortable here than some of his Ryder of the most talented young players in the players who have one or more green That winless stretch could end this Cup teammates. He has a win and a T6 game. Among those in that category: jackets in their closets. month, with at least a dozen players from in the two WGC events earlier this year, Donald, Rickie Fowler, Dustin but as we’ll examine in a minute, that Johnson, Kaymer, Matt Kuchar, may not be a positive sign for Donald, Martin Laird, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson whose game bears some similarity McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Nick to two-time Masters champion Jose Watney, Bubba Watson and Y.E. Yang. Maria Olazabal. The most obvious names missing from Casey also has a win this year on the that group are Woods, Mickelson and European Tour, but his track record in Westwood, along with other veterans like the U.S. has been spotty since. Casey’s Els, Singh, Jim Furyk and Steve game appears better suited to Augusta Stricker, with the latter two never National than that of Donald, but he has among the leading favorites because of displayed a bad habit of fast starts fol- their non-bomber method of play. lowed by halting finishes in big events The list of PGA Tour winners so far during his career, the 2008 Masters this year has included far more names among them. that fall into the non-household category The success Donald has enjoyed so far than those who are among the this year leads to some interesting trends game’s stars. regarding recent Masters champions. Watson, Sabbatini, Donald and

TV DINBERG STEVE The first five years the Masters was Watney are the “name” players among played on a lengthened Augusta this season’s winners, and it would not National, you did not need to venture be a shock to see at least a few of down the PGA Tour money list more them among the contenders on Sunday than a few places the week of the Masters in Augusta. Augusta National is a different golf Europe among the roster of players who to pick out a champion. Still the focus will be on two players course than it was prior to the initial will be given strong consideration as Woods in 2002 and ’05, Mickelson in with seven green jackets between them efforts to add a serious amount of length potential Masters champions. 2004 and ’06 and Weir in 2003 all had but just a total of three top 10s com- to it in 2002, so any modern history Westwood had never played especially won tournaments coming into the bined in 2011 coming into Bay Hill. regarding the course and the tournament well in Augusta until finishing second Masters (multiple wins in several cases), Mickelson has been far too erratic in all begins from that point. last year, and players like Martin and were among the hottest players in facets of his game to be considered a pri- Since 2002, the nine Masters cham- Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Rory the game. Mickelson’s first two wins in mary contender, and Woods is still pions have been almost evenly divided McIlroy have limited histories in the Augusta were preceded by two of his best struggling to find his game, which between the game’s top two players over Masters. Experience at Augusta National stretches of golf ever, including has been lost since his life became the past decade (Tiger Woods and Phil has always been considered essential to his incredible performance the week tabloid fodder. Mickelson) and a group of players who winning the Masters, but Zach Johnson before the Masters in the 2006 Both have compiled exceptional were not prominent in pre-tournament won in his third start, Mike Weir in his BellSouth Classic. records at Augusta National that tran- prognostications. fourth and Trevor Immelman in his The last four years, however, that scend whatever problems they are Nowhere on the list of Masters cham- fifth as a professional. trend has done a complete 180. Johnson currently encountering. Both are cer- pions during that stretch are a host of Immelman did have a T5 finish in had done nothing of consequence before tainly capable of overcoming their top-10 caliber players whose games are Augusta on his resume, but also had two his surprise win in Augusta in 2007. assorted putting/swing/mental woes, considered well suited to the demands of missed cuts and a near last place showing Immelman had missed four of six cuts with Mickelson the more likely of the Augusta National. Some of them – Lee in his other starts. Neither Weir nor prior to the ’08 Masters, one of them two to actually do so. Westwood, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Johnson had even finished higher than coming the week before in Houston. Given the direction the game seems former champion Vijay Singh – have 24th prior to their victories, so the myth Angel Cabrera missed the cut in each of ahead, this would be a good time for one made serious runs at victory in Augusta. of experience, first shattered by Masters the two tournaments preceding the ’09 of golf’s rising stars to break through, but Others, particularly the emerging “rookie” Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 has Masters. Mickelson played much the which one? young crop of European stars, have not pretty much been dispelled. same way coming into Augusta last year Or we could have another Weir/ fared as well, but the likes of Casey, The Europeans, especially Westwood as he has this year, stringing together a Johnson/Immelman type of champion. Donald, Poulter, Kaymer, McDowell and and 2010 major champions Kaymer and group of forgettable performances. We’ll find out soon enough.

16 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 STAY | PLAY | MEET | UNWIND

BARNSLEY’S AWARD-WINNING, JIM FAZIO DESIGNED SIGNATURE GOLF COURSE

ZHOOZRUWKWKHGULYH Spring is here and there’s no better time to get out and enjoy a round of golf at Barnsley Gardens Resort. Look no further than our Jim Fazio-designed, par-72 championship Ranked #3 as a 2010 Top Southern course for your next round. With its flawless bent-grass greens and striped bermuda grass U.S. Golf Resort by Condé Nast Traveler fairways, the course was named the 3rd best golf course in the Southeast on Condé Nast * * * * * Traveler’s “2010 Best Golf Resorts List,” which highlights the top 80 best places to golf in One of Golf Magazine’s the U.S. Premier Resorts for 2010 * * * * * With one of the best collections of par-3s in the nation and astonishing elevation changes Silver Medalist Award running throughout, this masterfully designed course is a treat to play and challenges by Golf Digest (2009) golfers of all skill levels. A short distance from anywhere in the southeast, Barnsley golf * * * * * is well worth the drive. GGCOA “Course of the Year” (2007/2008) MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE | PUBLIC WELCOME

BARNSLEYRESORT.COM FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 770.773.7480

GOLF SPA SPORTING CLAYS HUNTING HORSEBACK RIDING DINING HIKING BIKING GARDENS

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 Chirkinian a pioneer in televised golf Set production standard at the Masters

By Mike Blum National clubhouse for a story On the CBS announcing crew at the prior to the 1993 Masters. time, and broadcasters in general: hen news spread that Comparing broadcasts of “What we have is a perfect balance. legendary sports tele- the Masters to other golf There are an awful lot of players who vision producer Frank events: would like to be broadcasters, but they Chirkinian was bat- “There are a lot of notable have no qualifications other than being tlingW lung cancer earlier this year, differences. One is the lack of professional golfers. You need to be able officials of the World Golf Hall of commercials. Commercials are to articulate the sport.” Fame held an emergency session to like an island of retreat. You (Switching sports, that still doesn’t include him in the 2011 induction can stop for a moment, catch explain Terry Bradshaw.) ceremony, scheduled for May 9. your breath and plan what to do On covering golf tournaments, which Chirkinian, who lived in Augusta next. I miss those things here take place in an entirely different setting for more than 20 years, will not get at Augusta because things can than other sports: to enjoy his induction into the get frantic.” “This is not a structured sport. There WGHoF, or this month’s Masters. On the pre-renovated Augusta are no time frames or innings and no The 84-year-old Chirkinian National layout: natural breaks in the action. It’s just a died early last month at his home “The venue hasn’t changed all giant amoeba. You create the form and in North Palm Beach, Fla., and these years. That’s the strength of the form becomes the telecast. The deci- Frank Chirkinian was remembered by colleagues the tournament and the telecast – sions in the truck come from a vast and those within the golf the continuity. It’s like an old, amount of experience and training. You factor them in within an eyelash. “No event holds the challenge that a golf tournament does because of its “It’s just a giant amoeba. You create the unpredictableness. You can make no concrete plan because anything can form and the form becomes the telecast.” happen to make it change.” On dealing with the vagaries of an community for his decades of innova- dled with the nickname “The Ayatollah” comfortable sports jacket. It fits your ever-changing leaderboard in the days tion that shaped the broadcasting of by Masters announcer Pat Summerall, body. People who don’t play golf tune in when producers weren’t blessed mobile golf, as well as other sports. and that stuck as an oddly endearing to see how beautiful the setting is. It cameras that can cover all 18 holes. Chirkinian virtually invented golf tribute to a producer who knew transcends being a sporting event.” “The movement of the cameras is broadcasting, beginning with the first exactly what he wanted to accomplish On the value of the roving reporter, a predicated on the leaders. If it’s the last PGA Championship telecast in 1958. with each broadcast and made sure topic he had mixed feelings about: group, there’s no problem. But on His use of different camera angles and his minions followed his orders to “We started the roving reporter with Sunday, if somebody catches fire five the introduction of roving reporters the letter. Bob Rosburg. But it didn’t take me long groups from the end, see what that does altered the way golf was broadcast, but In addition to golf, Chirkinian also to realize that a subjective view of a shot to your mini-cams. That’s the night- his most notable contribution to golf produced baseball, college football, was the worst view. The worst vantage mare; that all of a sudden the leader may have been the introduction of an Triple Crown horse racing, the Indy point is from the fairway. That’s why comes from the middle of the pack and under/over par scoring system that 500, the Winter Olympics, and non- we put announcers in booths above you have to improvise.” replaced the awkward cumulative scores sports events, and during his career won the fairway.” Case in point. The 1986 Masters is still that had been the televised norm. a combined six Emmys and Peabody (That still doesn’t explain David remembered as perhaps the greatest To millions of golf fans, Chirkinian awards. He is also credited with intro- Feherty.) Sunday ever in tournament golf, was best known for his production of ducing blimp shots to sports broadcasts, On the role of announcers and the and Chirkinian’s broadcast was a work of the Masters, which he did until his for which he won the eternal gratitude need for more than a few differing voices: art. But his cameras completely missed retirement in the late 1990s. Chirkinian of blimp pilots, but no awards. “To listen to one or two guys droning one of the most incredible feats in helped make Augusta National the It was golf that Chirkinian was best on for two hours is death. Golf by its golf history. iconic course it has become, capturing known for, the Masters in particular. very nature is inherently dull to watch. Seve Ballesteros and Tom Kite, the beauty of the course with one capti- In the wake of his death, glowing The amount of time that players hit the playing two groups in front of the final vating image after another during the 38 tributes poured in from all over the ball is maybe six minutes in a broadcast. pairing and just behind Jack Nicklaus, Masters telecasts he produced. broadcast and golf communities. But as You don’t want to have a single perspec- both holed out for eagle on consecutive Chirkinian was known within the someone who was never shy about tive or a single view. shots from the 8th fairway. But no broadcast industry as a brusque and voicing his opinions (he portrayed him- “You want the announcers to interact video of their shots exists, which would demanding leader, but also inspired fierce self quite adeptly in the movie “Tin and create an atmosphere of excitement. have been a major issue had either loyalty among those who worked for him Cup”), here are some of Chirkinian’s But we’re still basically in the picture player won. during his long tenure with CBS. observations from a one-on-one inter- business. If you need a narrative, you’ve Fortunately for Chirkinian, Nicklaus In the late 1970s, Chirkinian was sad- view conducted with him in the Augusta blown it. My guys offer captions.” took care of that for him.

18 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 Fort sets sights on club pro championship “My wife has given me a little extra Popular instructor improving as player time,” Fort says, but even with that addi- tional latitude, “it’s just hard to make time” for what he needs to do with his own game while still attending to work By Mike Blum Fort, who teaches at Marietta and life requirements. Golf Center, was a distant 65th in the Fort says he is going to try to take off a he Georgia PGA qualified nine standings in 2004, but has steadily few days in May and make a trip to Section members for this year’s advanced from 46th in ’05 to 36th in Hershey for a few practice rounds. PGA Professional National ’06 to several years in the 20s before “I want to be sure I’m prepared. I want Championship, the top event just falling short of the top 10 in 2010. to get an idea about the target areas and forT the country’s club professionals. He credits his rise to the Golf where to land the ball, and I want to know Machine, an approach to teaching that everything I can about the greens.” he says has “helped me put all the pieces Hershey CC has hosted tour events GEORGIA PGA of the puzzle together.” before, with one of the Fort’s former stu- The Golf Machine method has dents an LPGA player who competed Pro-file impacted Fort both as a player and there. The club’s two courses will both be teacher, providing him with valuable used for the tournament, and present a “information” that has enabled the per- contrast in styles, which adds to the need The top 20 finishers in the PGA sonable instructor to take “a lot of short for getting a prior look. PNC, which will be played in June at cuts” to arrive at the proper mechanics for Fort is an Atlanta native who says he Hershey (Pa.) CC, earn spots in the Ted Fort him make a better swing and to instruct “grew up on Peachtree Street.” He 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta his students how to achieve that aim. attended the U. of South Carolina and Athletic Club. That provides even more incentive for Among the three “rookies” is “I’ve been practicing some, which is the state’s nine club professionals Atlanta area instructor Ted Fort, who has who have qualified for the PNC, with gradually moved up the ranks of the way out of the ordinary for me.” three of them competing in that event for Georgia PGA points standings in recent the first time. years, reaching 11th in 2010. Fort’s breakthrough event came last Fall competed in sports, but not on the golf at The Manor in north Fulton, where he team. Fort was on the track team in shot 69-70—139 to take third place in the Columbia, but went into the golf business Section’s qualifier for the PNC. Fort shortly after finishing school, with his recorded 13 birdies in the two rounds, as first club professional job at Newnan he combined improved ball striking with Country Club. his always well-regarded putting skills Once he achieved his Class A PGA to produce his best ever tournament status, Fort went in search of a public performance. facility to establish his teaching base. With his first opportunity to play on a “It’s a matter of volume. That’s why I’m national stage approaching, Fort says he not teaching at a private club. You don’t “has been practicing some, which is way have a large enough pool from which to out of the ordinary for me. And I’m trying draw. In a public situation, people can to play everything I can play leading up come to you from all over.” to that.” Fort also prefers being at a practice Fort admits to being “excited” about the facility like Marietta Golf Center rather opportunity to play in the PNC. “That’s than teaching at a daily fee course. He did the best thing I’ve ever done, as far as spend some time at the Legacy and Fox playing goes. That’s something you aspire Creek, two side-by-side executive courses to do – play in a national championship.” in Smyrna that also feature two of metro As excited as Fort is about getting the Atlanta’s busiest practice facilities. chance to play in the PNC, his efforts to When tournament time comes around, prepare for the tournament are balanced Fort said making the switch from by his work responsibilities and his duties instructor to player hasn’t been that much at home. A full day of work for Fort con- of a problem. sists of 13 lessons at 45 minutes per lesson, “A lot of people believe that the two are five days per week. in conflict,” he says. “They think if you “I’m a little bit of a workaholic,” says watch a lot of bad swings all day, you’re Fort, who admits to sometimes getting gonna swing bad. I don’t look at it like that. “crazy busy” at work during the Spring I’m trying to move people from where they and Summer. are to where they should be. Fort can juggle his schedule a bit if “Those two things are not in conflict for required, but that still does not give him all me and teaching is not a detriment to my the time he needs to work on his game, playing. It’s just the time constraint.” not to mention his responsibilities at home with three daughters ages 5, 3 and 1.

20 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 Bulldogs, Jackets lose early in Match Play

By Mike Blum team’s lone winner against Iowa, with The Jaguars got standout efforts in the Statesboro senior Matt Deal, who tied English and Mitchell both halving their final round from its top two players, with for 20th at 218. Georgia Southern shot oth Georgia and Georgia matches. Henley lost 6&5 and was the both closing with 5-under 67s. Henrik 285 in the second round and finished Tech lost early in the Callaway only Bulldog who did not have a win- Norlander earned medalist honors at with an 880 total. Auburn won with a Collegiate Match Play ning record, going 2-2. English went 210, with Patrick Reed tying for 4th at 16-under 848 total, taking the title in a Championship at Hawks 3-0-1, with Cromie taking his last three 216. No one else in the field broke 70 playoff over Florida. RidgeB in Ball Ground to fall into the matches to finish 3-1. that day, with only one other golfer In the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate, consolation bracket. The Yellow Jackets Neither Georgia nor Georgia Tech shooting under par. Augustan Chase Parker led Kentucky a went 3-1 in the tournament and placed played particularly well in Las Vegas, 2nd place finish, tying for 2nd individu- 5th, with Georgia 10th after splitting its with the Bulldogs placing 6th and the Kennesaw captures ally with a 212 total. Vanderbilt four matches. Yellow Jackets 9th. Georgia finished freshman Jordan Janico of Duluth was Tech won its opener in a tiebreaker strong with a 1-under 287 the final day, title in Myrtle Beach the first round leader with a 69 and over Washington State after the two but still finished 27 strokes behind wound up tied for 20th at 221. Kennesaw State also won a tournament teams tied 2-2-1. The Jackets, seeded 3rd Oklahoma State. Swafford led the in Myrtle Beach, taking the title in an in the 16-team field, lost 3-2 in the Bulldogs, tying for 9th at 219 thanks to event played at the Surf Club. The Owls Georgia College wins second round to No. 11 seed Southern a final round 67. posted a 19-under 845 total to win wire- Cal before defeating East Tennessee 3-0- to-wire, their fourth tournament victory at Kinderlou Forest 2 and Texas A&M 3-2. Matt Nagy of the season and second of the Spring. Georgia College won a Division II tour- Georgia dropped its opener to Texas Buena Vista junior Matt Nagy nament played at Kinderlou Forest in Tech 3-2 in an 8/9 match-up. The claimed medalist honors for the second Valdosta, shooting 5-over 869 to win by Bulldogs came back later that day to beat time this season, posting three rounds in four strokes. Patrick Garrett of South Carolina 4-0-1 and followed with the 60s to post a 13-under 203 total, Kennesaw led the Bobcats, earning a 5-0 rout of Pacific before losing 2-1-2 four strokes ahead of his closest medalist honors by two strokes with a to Iowa. competitor. Teammate Jeff Karlsson 4-under 212 total. Acworth’s James White and freshman closed with a 66 to tie for 3rd at 209, Billy Shida of Duluth tied for 11th at Richy Werenski were winners in Tech’s with Duluth’s Ben Greene tying for 13th 219, with teammate Joe Young of opener against Washington Scott, with at 216. Cochran T15 at 220. Moultrie’s Aaron Kyle Scott earning a half in his match. The Owls, won who their Spring Elrod, who plays for Armstrong Atlantic White and Paul Haley were the lone opener in a match play format in Tampa, tied for 2nd at 212, with Valdosta State’s Tech winners against USC, with John- almost made it three in a row, taking Austin Graham, a freshman from Tyler Griffin losing the last two holes to second in a tournament hosted by Powder Springs, tying for 4th at 216. drop his match 1-up. Florida State in Tallahassee. Kennesaw The Bobcats were 2nd in Pensacola, White, Werenski and Haley were win- shot 276 in the final round to finish at three shots behind host West Florida. ners against both ETSU and A&M, with 5-under 847, three strokes behind Shida fired a final round 66 to tie for 3rd Arkansas. at 215, two in back of the medalist. Karlsson shared medalist honors at Young tied for 6th at 217. GEORGIA 208, shooting 67 in the final round, with Armstrong Atlantic took 2nd in a Nagy T9 at 215. Greene closed with a 69 tournament it hosted at Savannah College Roundup to tie for 15th at 215, with Calhoun’s Quarters, shooting 880 to finish four Chad Wilson, the team’s lone senior, strokes behind Flagler. Matt Motes of T21 at 218. Augusta was low for Armstrong, posting Werenski and Haley both scoring 1-up Kennesaw turned in another strong a 213 total to place 2nd, two behind the victories in Tech’s final match to give the

KENNESAW STATE effort in the Furman Invitational, winner. Duluth freshman Gus Wagoner Yellow Jackets their winning margin. placing 2nd behind Clemson. The Owls and seniors Parker Gordon of Augusta White went 4-0 for the Jackets, with had a 4-stroke lead after 36 holes, but and Ridge Purcell of LaGrange all tied Werenski and Haley both 3-1. Tech faded with a 306 in the final Clemson shot 272 the final day for an for 7th at 221. Four of the five matches in Georgia’s round, finishing four strokes behind the 848 total and a 12-shot victory. Greene loss to Texas Tech ended on or before the ‘Dogs after leading them by 15 after 36 led the Owls, placing 4th at 211, with 15th hole, with Harris English and holes. White, who earned medalist Nagy 5th at 212. Hudson Swafford winning for the honors in Puerto Rico earlier this season, In other Division I Georgia college Register to Win Bulldogs by scores of 4&3. Georgia No. played well again, closing with a 68 to tie news… Mercer also scored a tournament 1 Russell Henley was 1-up with two for 5th at 216. victory recently, winning against a weak a Stay, Play & holes to play, but lost both to fall 1-up in field at Dancing Rabbit in Biloxi, Miss. the decisive match. Sporting Clays Augusta State scores Thomasville’s Josh Cone earned Henley came back to win 3&2 against medalist honors for the Bears, shooting a Giveaway! South Carolina’s Blaine Woodruff, a first win of season second round 69 to finish at even par freshman from Acworth. English won Barnsley Defending national champion Augusta 144. He finished two shots ahead of 4&3 over Dublin’s Dean Hester, with State scored its first victory of the 2010- teammates John Gregory Josephs of Gardens Resort T.J. Mitchell and Michael Cromie also 11 season, capturing the title at TPC of Valdosta and Hans Reimers. winning for the Bulldogs. Drawing will be held on April 16. Myrtle Beach. The Jaguars trailed Georgia Southern took 7th in the None of Georgia’s matches went past second-round leader Virginia by 14 annual Schenkel Invitational, an event See golfforegeorgia.com the 17th hole against Pacific, with only strokes, but shot 7-under 281 the final hosted by the Eagles at Forest Heights for the details. two getting that far. Cromie was the day to win by three with an 878 total. CC in Statesboro. The Eagles were led by

22 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 Pfli@em`kXk`fekf%%%Leisure, Luxury and Family Connections The Cartersville Country Club’s mission is to enhance your quality of living…through our superb amenities… including golf, tennis, swimming, fine dining, special events and thoughtful attention to all of your needs. ‹.VSM 'W^[T2WP\_X^]bWX_2^dabT}7^\T^U?60=PcX^]fXSTC^da?[PhTab}0fPaSFX]]X]V8]bcadRcX^] ‹;LUUPZ0fPaSFX]]X]VCT]]Xb8]bcadRcX^]}#;XVWcTS7PaS2^dacb}!;XVWcTS2[Ph2^dacb ‹7VVS3X]X]V?PeX[X^]fXcW5XaT_[PRTP]S;PaVTBRaTT]CT[TeXbX^]}5d[[BTaeXRT6aX[[1Pa ‹+PUPUNFX]TCPbcX]Vb}CWT\T2dXbX]T}5P\X[h=XVWcb}FTSSX]VbATRT_cX^]b?aXePcT?PacXTb ‹*VU]LUPLUJL>]8&$!$

:Xik\ijm`cc\:flekip:clY tiation Fees Established 1954 " 9^T5aP]Z7PaaXb?PaZfPh}2PacTabeX[[T60" ! }CT[)&& "'!#''! www.cartersvillecountryclub.com For personal attention, call our club manager, Maury McDonnell for 36 Months! Deferred Ini

Ï7EÏ-AKEÏ9OURÏ'OLFÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ&UN Ï2ELAXINGÏANDÏ$ElÏNITELYÏ#OOLER

Get Out Of The City Heat!

Apple Mountain offers you and your playing partners a beautifully routed layout, cool mountain air, panoramic views year round Ï ANDÏANÏINCREDIBLEÏVALUEÏFORÏYOURÏGOLlÏNGÏDOLLAR

Ï Ï Ï sÏÏCARTÏANDÏGREENÏFEEÏONÏ3ATURDAY Ï3UNDAY ÏANDÏ(OLIDAYSÏWITHÏAÏÏAFTERÏÏ0-Ï4WI LITEÏ2ATE Ï Ï Ï sÏ7EDNESDAY Ï4HURSDAY ÏANDÏ&RIDAY ÏÏFORÏCARTÏANDÏGREENÏFEEÏWITHÏ3ENIORSÏOVERÏ ÏPAYINGÏ

Ï 4AKEÏADVANTAGEÏOFÏOURÏ-ONDAYÏANDÏ4UESDAYÏ3PECIAL ÏÏFORÏCARTÏANDÏGREENÏFEEÏWITHÏÏFORÏ3ENIORSÏ Ï "RINGÏTHISÏADDÏINÏANDÏRECEIVEÏAÏÏDISCOUNTÏONÏTHEÏWEEKENDÏRATEÏFORÏCARTÏANDÏGREENÏFEE Ï2OCKFORDÏ#REEKÏ2D Ï#LARKESVILLE Ï'!ÏsÏÏÏÏsÏWWWAPPLEMOUNTAINGOLFGACOM

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 23 24 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 Golf FORE Juniors

Augustans 1-2-3 group winners of an SJGT event in Dothan, Ala. Pisciotta shot 151 to win boys 14-15 by Mini-Tours Carter Mobley Margaret Yeh at Forest Hills one stroke. Marschke shot 159 and won a three-way Augusta golfers finished 1-2-3 in the playoff in girls 12-14. Janet Mao of Jones Mobley, Gomez win Sarah Harrison of Martinez first in the boys division of a Southeastern Junior Golf Creek was one of the two other playoff par- GPGA Junior titles 11-14 division at 176. Tour event at Forest Hills in Augusta. The ticipants. Preston Flick of Douglasville was Gomez was the boys overall and 16-18 event was reduced to 27 holes due to rain 3rd in boys 16-19 at 150. Carter Mobley of Evans was the boys winner in the Georgia PGA Junior Tour’s the final day. Preston Heyward of Duluth shot a winner in a Georgia PGA Junior Tour event opener at Wilmington Island Club in Emmanuel Kountakis was the overall second round 65 at the par-70 U. of Florida recently at Macon’s Brickyard at Riverside, Savannah. He shot 150 (76-74) to finish five and 16-19 boys winner with a 2-over 110 GC in Gainesville to get into a playoff at edging Tommy Hoerneke of Suwanee by ahead of his closest pursuers. total. Sam Odi of the Augusta suburb of 141, but lost to a birdie on the fourth extra one stroke. Mobley shot a second round 72 Justin Mattheis of Decatur and Martinez was 2nd at 111, with Augusta’s hole. Andrew Eunice of Moultrie and to finish at 150. Flanagan shot 155 to tie for second in boys Blake Hadden 3rd at 112. David Kleckner of Cumming tied for 3rd in Mobley and Hoerneke were also 1-2 in 16-18 and overall. Thomas Knight of Zachary Healy of Norcross shot 114 to the 16-19 division at 144. the 14-15 age group, with Drew Miner of Eastman was the 14-15 winner at 160, fol- win boys 14-15 by two, with Brett Barron Dawson Armstrong of Valdosta shot Alpharetta 3rd at 158. Justin Connelly of lowed by Savannah’s August Beisel at 164. the 12-13 winner at 113, two strokes ahead 77-71—148 to win the 14-15 division by McDonough was the 16-18 division winner The low score of the tournament was of Gainesville’s Spencer Ralston. three strokes, with Walker Bottomley of at 156, followed by Kevin Gomez of turned in by Brett Barron of Savannah, Roswell’s Rinko Mitsunaga was the girls Milton the 12-13 runner-up at 150, two Stockbridge at 157 and Bobby Flanagan who shot 71-71—142 to win the boys overall and 12-14 winner at 112, with Kayla strokes behind the winner. of Woodstock at 159. 11-13 division by a sizeable margin. Girls Jones of Alpharetta 2nd in 12-14 at 119. Steffen Smith of Norcross and Luke age group winners were Harrison (11-14) Haley Austin of McDonough was the Schniederjans of Powder Springs tied for and Eiken Hansen of Rome (15-18). 15-19 winner at 116, one shot ahead of first in 11-13 at 163, with Jay Mobley of The next tournament on the Georgia Jessica Hoang of North Augusta, S.C. Don’t Miss the May Waynesboro 3rd at 166. Margaret Yeh of PGA Junior Tour schedule will be played at Michael Pisciotta of Alpharetta and Junior Golf Issue Cumming was the girls winner at 170, with Country Club of Columbus May 14-15. Kayley Marschke of Suwanee were age

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 25 Chip Shots

Wilmington Island Club, and Clark Stevens, Frasier take Spratlin, Georgia Golf Center; Matthew Pro-Pro Scramble Evans and David Gricius, Rivermont CC; and Craig Forney and Tim Weinhart, Atlanta area instructors Craig Stevens Standard Club. and Jeff Frasier won the Georgia Stevens, who recently turned 50, won PGA’s Club Car Pro-Pro Scramble at the the individual stroke play portion of the Standard Club, shooting an 8-under 64 in Seniors Division Jamboree at Wallace cold and wet conditions to finish one Adams GC at Little Ocmulgee State Park stroke ahead of two teams that tied with a 67, finishing three strokes ahead of L-R: Craig Stevens & Jeff Frasier with PGA Wanamaker Trophy for second. runner-up Sonny Skinner, Stephen Stevens teaches at Steel Canyon in Keppler, DeWitt Weaver and John Nigh Sandy Springs, and Frasier is the Director tied for 3rd at 72. Reid Edstrom, who grew up in of Instruction at Chicopee Woods in Orchard Hills head professional Wyatt Harman loses lead Norcross, tied for 4th at 139, with Claxton Gainesville. They split first place money Detmer tied for first in a Seniors Division and Parel 11th at 141. Parel shot 68 to of $2,400. tournament at Doublegate CC in Albany in international event Tying for second at 65 were Berkeley share the opening round lead. with amateurs Don Marsh and Frank Savannah’s Brian Harman led by six Hills Director of Golf Shawn McKinnon The Hooters Tour plays in the state this Perry. Danny Elkins of Georgia Golf strokes after 36 holes in an eGolf Tour event and Country Club of the South Director of month at Stonebridge G&CC in Albany Center and Ted Meier of Newnan CC tied last month in Morocco, but struggled the Instruction Shawn Koch, and Cateechee (April 14-17) and at Whitewater Creek in for 4th at 72. final two days and wound up tied for 21st. GC Director of Golf Jeff Gotham Fayetteville (April 21-24). The tour also Glen Herrell of Doublegate CC was low The eGolf Tour played two tournaments in and BridgeMill Director of Instruction plays near Augusta at Savannah Lakes in pro at Kinderlou Forest in Valdosta with the north Africa country, with several Tom Losinger. McCormick, S.C. (April 28-May 1). a 69, two strokes ahead of Weaver. Georgians posting strong showings. Shooting 66 to tie for 4th were the A scheduled tournament in May at Detmer and Meier tied for 3rd at 73 with Harman, who tied for 7th in the first teams of: Jeff Hull, UGA GC, and Jarred Crystal Lake in Hampton has been moved Bob Windom of Sunset CC and Morocco tournament, opened with scores Reneau, International City GC; Ted Fort, to North Carolina. Wendell Coffee. of 65-68 but shot 75-79 the next two days. Marietta Golf Center, and John Tillery, Peach State Tour: The Georgia-based The former Georgia Bulldog and ex-Walker Milledgeville CC; Patrick Richardson, tour began its second season last month Cup team member led by one going to the at Macon’s Brickyard at Riverside, with final round. Macon area resident Jay McLuen edging Taylor Hall of LaGrange, a former out Nationwide Tour player Josh Georgia Tech golfer, tied for 4th at 282, Broadaway of Albany for the victory and four strokes behind the winner. Hall recov- $10,000 first place check. ered from an opening 77, shooting 66 in McLuen, who has played on the the final round. Also tying for 4th at 282 Nationwide Tour and contended several was Augusta’s Scott Parel, a former times in the Georgia Open, shot Nationwide Tour player. Tying for 15th at 68-67–135, 9-under par. Broadaway was 286 were Nationwide Tour member David 2nd with scores of 66-71–137. Former Robinson of Sandersville and recent Georgia Bulldog Brendon Todd, a Georgia Bulldog Adam Mitchell. Nationwide Tour player with one year on Recent Georgia Tech golfer Chesson the PGA Tour, tied for 3rd at 141, with Nate Hadley took 2nd in the first tournament in Balanis of Valdosta 5th at 142 and Morocco at 15-under 273, four strokes in Michael Gordy of Clarkesville T6 at 143. back of the winner. Hadley earned $21,000 The tournament drew a field of more from the $250,000 purse. Mitchell shot a than 60 players, the largest in the tour’s final round 64 to tie for 5th at 275. Harman brief history. The next event, played at was T7 at 276. Northwood CC in Lawrenceville, drew Hooters Tour: Will Claxton of Vidalia nearly as large a field, with Savannah’s tied for 3rd in an early-season Hooters Mark Silvers winning. Tour event in Ocala, Fla., finishing four Silvers shot 66-70–136 to finish one behind the winner with a 276 total, high- stroke ahead of Bryce Ledford. Dalton’s lighted by a second round 66. Matt Hughes was 3rd at 138, with Duluth’s Brent Witcher tied for 12th at Alpharetta’s Ryan Zabroske 6th at 139. 282 after a final round 68, with 2010 Georgia PGA member Tim Weinhart tied Georgia Open champion Samuel Del Val for 8th at 140 along with Duluth’s Parker of Athens closing with a 68 to tie for 19th Beck and Mark Harrell of Hazlehurst. at 285. The Peach State Tour also played A recent Hooters event at a Winter Series that spanned the end Chattahoochee GC was shortened to 36 of 2010 and first two months of 2011, holes because of a storm that rendered with Silvers winning the last three the course unplayable over the weekend. events in Florida., two of them by four Kentucky’s Brandon Brown won with a strokes. Silvers earned $8,500 for his 6-under 136 total for 36 holes. three victories.

26 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 Vinings Surgery Center over 20 years experrience Complimentary Consultation Complimentary 6ININGS3URGERY#ENTERs Ask aboutourGolfer’sAsk Special 1900 The Exchange, Building 300,Suite1900 300 Plastic, CosmeticandReconstructive Surgery
̏>˜Ì>]Ê
ÊÎäÎΙÊUÊÜÜÜ°Vœ}ÀœÛi°Vœ“ Robert A.Colgrove, Jr, M.D. Board -Plastic Surgeon Certified i“>ˆ\ÊÛÃVJVœ}ÀœÛi°Vœ“ s-ALE"REAST2EDUCTION'YNECOMASTIA can bereversed. Physical features thathave We allwantto lookyoung andfit, plastic surgery tofeelbetter,plastic surgery lookyounger, It’s Time toChange and mostimportantly...we can. Sun damageandothereffects ofaging Today, menofallagesare turning to can oftenbesignificantlyimproved. s%YELID3URGERY"LEPHAROPLASTY cosmetic surgery procedures: cosmetic surgery Your Game Face s.OSE2ESHAPING2HINOPLASTY The sixmostpopularmale and even helpwiththeircareers. s&AT2EMOVAL,IPOSUCTION s&ACIAL$ERMAL&ILLERS bothered you foryears s&ACE.ECK,IFT Face It! GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 27 but managed to produce a local winner, a rarity for a major championship. Marietta resent Larry Nelson captured Atlanta Athletic Club the first of his three major titles, taking control of the tournament with back-to- back scores of 66 in the second and third rounds. Nelson carried a 4-shot lead into the final round, and was never seriously has made major history challenged, closing with a 71 to maintain his 4-shot margin over 1979 Masters By Mike Blum Since then, the Athletic Club has Women’s Open, as well as the 1995 champion Fuzzy Zoeller. hosted two PGA Championships (1981 Georgia Amateur. When the PGA returned a decade later, t’s been a decade since the Atlanta and 2001) and three USGA events – the Atlanta Athletic Club is steeped in his- David Toms and Phil Mickelson engaged Athletic Club last hosted a major 1984 Mid-Amateur, 1990 U.S. Women’s tory, due in large part to its early days at in a memorable two-man duel over the championship, but the club has a Open and 2002 Junior Amateur. The East Lake, where Bobby Jones honed his final 36 holes, with Toms holding on long and distinguished USGA will return to the AAC in game as a youngster, developing into the thanks to one of the great strategic pars in recordI as a host for some of 2014, as the club will host the most successful amateur player ever. major championship history. golf’s biggest events. U.S. Amateur. The club has been a part of modern golf Leading Mickelson by one shot coming The club will host the The PGA Championship is history, producing two of the most to Highlands’ perilous finishing hole, 2011 PGA Championship, scheduled for Aug. 11-14 on memorable finishes in major champi- unofficially the first 500-yard par 4 in a with this year’s tournament AAC’s Highlands Course, one onship history. major, Toms laid up with his second shot coming 35 years after the of the club’s two champi- The first major event the course hosted after driving in the rough. AAC hosted its first major onship caliber courses. was the 1976 U.S. Open, and it was After Mickelson missed his birdie event – the 1976 U.S. Open – Highlands has been the course decided by what remains one of the attempt, Toms holed a clutch 12-footer for following its move from East Lake used for the PGA Championship greatest golf shots ever. par, winning with the lowest 72-hole total in Atlanta to what was then rural farm- and U.S. Open, as well as the U.S. Junior, PGA Tour rookie Jerry Pate came to the ever in a major. land in the “distant” environs of northeast but Riverside has also hosted a major, 72nd hole, a par 5 for the members con- Toms shot 15-under 265, which Fulton County. being selected as the course for the U.S. verted into a long and demanding par 4 included four consecutive rounds in the for the championship, with a one-stroke 60s. He was one stroke off the lead after an lead over a trio of players, including opening 66, shared the second round fol- playing partner John Mahaffey. lowing a 65, and followed with another 65 After Mahaffey hit his second shot into to lead Mickelson by two heading to the the pond protecting the 18th green, Pate final round. selected a 5-iron for his approach shot Mickelson, who shot 66 each of the first from the rough, needing a par to win by three rounds, shot 68 the final day, with one over former major champions Tom Toms’ 69 good enough for a victory by the Weiskopf and Al Geiberger. slimmest of margins. Mickelson’s 266 total Pate fired at the flag and his ball came to is the second lowest 72-hole score ever in rest just two feet from the hole. His closing a major. birdie gave him a 2-stroke margin of vic- Look for more history to be made when tory, and AAC officials commemorated the PGA returns to Atlanta Athletic Club the feat by placing a stone marker on the in August for “Glory’s Last Shot.” spot with details of his championship- winning shot. For ticket information, The 1981 PGA Championship did visit www.pga.com 18th Hole, Highlands Course not have nearly as spectacular a finish,

Nationwide Tour, and Erik Compton, South Georgia Classic Stadion Classic who has enjoyed some success in infre- Legends of Golf [ Continued from page 8 ] quent PGA Tour starts. A 4th place [ Continued from page 10 ] [ Continued from page 14 ] finish in the Nationwide season-opener long-time player on the Nationwide in Panama will likely earn Compton a year, depriving a national audience of a Tom Watson and Andy North won Tour who played his college golf in spot inn the field, with Bolli and Todd close-up look at the picturesque but the team title four straight years, Athens. Peterson will not attempt to among the leading candidates for demanding Kinderlou Forest layout. including 2008, the year the Legends of qualify for the event this year. sponsor exemptions, if needed. Despite the absence of the Golf Channel, Golf was again played in a strictly team One of Peterson’s teammates in the Recent Georgia Tech standout the purse remains one of the larger ones format. They tied for 12th last year. late 1980s was Paul Claxton, who is in Roberto Castro of Alpharetta and vet- on the Nationwide Tour ($625,000), Marietta’s Larry Nelson teamed with his 13th season on the Nationwide Tour. eran Scott Dunlap of Duluth are among with the winner taking home $112,500. Hale Irwin to tie for 8th at 196, with Claxton has played full time on either other Georgians on the Nationwide Open qualifying for the tournament Larry Mize of Columbus and Allen the Nationwide or PGA Tour Tour. The tour’s non-exempt players will will be held April 25 at Glen Arven in Doyle the other Georgians in the field. since 1995, and is among the all-time be “re-shuffled” after the previous week’s Thomasville and Doublegate CC in The tournament will be broadcast on leading money winners on the tournament in Valdosta, which will leave Albany, with seven spots in the field the Golf Channel on Friday and on CBS Nationwide Tour. the field for the Stadion Classic at UGA available from each site. Three Georgia Saturday and Sunday, with all three tele- Other ex-Bulldogs on the Nationwide up in the air until after the South PGA professionals will also be in the casts immediately preceding the PGA Tour include Justin Bolli and Brendon Georgia Classic. field, including the top two finishers Tour broadcast from Hilton Head. Todd, who have both played on the For information, visit the tournament from a Section qualifier held recently at For information, visit the tourna- PGA Tour and have won on the web site at www.stadionclassic.uga.edu. Rivermont CC. ment’s web site on pgatour.com.

28 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 29 olff!! Course Reviews of Junior G g 10 YYeea rs CelebratingCelebratin 10 Years of Junior Golf! Play tthhhee eeaasons ttoo r! U. of Georgia Golf Course (Public) TopTToop RReReasons to Playr TTotheouur 2600 Riverbend Rd., Athens; 706-369-5739; www.golfcourse.uga.edu nniio hip Juun e relations STAFF: Dave Cousart, PGA Director of Golf; Matt Peterson, PGA Head Professional PPGGGAA FFun,un, llifetimeifetim relationship iiaa [ ts PAR/YARDAGE: The UGA course plays to a par 71 (72 for women) with five sets of tees: org ee ding even GGeGeorgiae berPGAship f Juniorbbuildinguil events Tour!r Series lower mem d Summe Bulldog (7,240 yards); Red (6,825); Silver (6,444); White (5,997) and Black (5,186). NewNew lower membership d fee EExExpandedxpande Summer Series X ically price ] EEconomicallyconom priced schedule COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 75.2/142 (Bulldog); 73.2/136 (Red); 71.4/125 (Silver); 69.4/120 Y home schedule e Division & ccloselose ttoo home fessionally w Graduat (White); 71.1/124 (Black). titive & pro ^ NNewe Graduate Division ost compe ges 19-21 Z MMost competitivepro &g rprofessionallyam fforor aages 19-21 urses as ABOUT THE COURSE: The University course, which was renovated several years ago, will junior golf ch great co rrunun junior golf program PPlaylaayy ssuchu great courses st L asa k e again be in the national spotlight early next month when it serves as the host for the gia _ ge GC, Ea iinn GeorgiaGeor events HHawk’sawk’s RRidgeid GC, East Lak empted l d GC Nationwide Tour’s Stadion Classic at UGA. The course gave the Nationwide Tour’s top players AJGA PBE exempted events and Sea Island GC \ GC a serious test last year, and was among the most difficult courses the tour visited. The com- & all 36-hole tournaments are JGS ranked bination of significant length, a reasonable number of hazards and some demanding greens complexes make it a challenge for the tour players, with the extension of a number of tees adding more than 400 yards from the tips while reducing par from 72 to 71. For its regular visitors, the biggest change was the addition of new forward tees that reduced their yardage by almost 500 yards and made it much more playable for women, juniors and those new to the game. The three middle sets of tees remained relatively unchanged, but the extensive work done to the putting surfaces has made a major difference for everyone who plays the course. Davis Love’s design group introduced a variety of ridges, tiers and bowls to the put- ting surfaces, giving them considerably more character and increasing the demands on all aspects of your short game. For the non-tour players, tee selection is vital, with the length of many of the par 4s making it a major challenge for those who try to tackle a set of tees that may be too long for them. For the most part, the UGA course is relatively open off the tee, SignSign uupp & ggetett tthehe ddetailsetails but a sufficient amount of the tree lines are easily within reach to make accuracy almost as much an asset as length. The rolling terrain is also a factor, especially on two of the par 3s and aatt ggeorgiapga.com!eorrggiapga.com! some of the approach shots, with several greens including some sharp drop-offs along the edges. The course includes a wonderful group of par 3s, most notably the all carry over water 13th, which teams with the risk/reward par-5 12th to form one of the most memorable back- to-back holes on any course in the state. The Robert Trent Jones design is a classic traditional style layout which remains a challenging but playable Georgia gem. Country Club of the South (Private) 4100 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek; 770-475-1803; www.thecountryclubofthesouth.com STAFF: Steve White, PGA Head Professional; Shawn Koch, PGA Director of Instruction Preferred Rates on PAR/YARDAGE: CC of the South plays to a par 72 with five sets of tees: Black (6,982 yards); Gold (6,585), Blue (6,244), White (5,743) and Red (5,027). Golf & Travel with the COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 74.2/142 (Black); 72.6/138 (Gold); 70.9/132 (Blue); 69.0/126 (White); 70.4/124 (Red). Georgia PGA Golf Pass ABOUT THE COURSE: After undergoing some financial struggles which resulted in the club going into bankruptcy, Country Club of the South is well on the way to re-establishing its *Over $1000 of Free Golf reputation as one of Atlanta’s premier country clubs. ClubCorp has acquired the facility, pro- viding some much-needed stability, and a recent renovation has greatly enhanced both the z Over 35 FREE rounds of golf with cart rental appearance and quality of the outstanding Jack Nicklaus layout. For much of its history, the z Preferred Discounted Rates at over 100 Courses! club has struggled to keep its bent grass greens healthy throughout the year, and the recent z Private Country Club Access — Play Private Golf Clubs! renovations included a replacement of the putting surfaces, with the new ones in superb z Travel: Book Tickets/Hotels Online & Save Hundreds condition. The removal of a sizeable number of trees surrounding the greens should make it on Your Next Trip! easier to keep them quick and smooth, and will be welcomed by the membership, which has z Restaurants: Save Money at Thousands of Restaurants Nationwide! grown considerably over the past year despite the continuing fragile state of the economy. The club hosted a Senior (now Champions) Tour event in its early years before space limita- gapgagolfpass.com tions forced the event to seek a new home. It remains a terrific test of golf, both for elite players and its membership, with the nicely spaced number of tees providing at least two options for just about every level of player. By modern standards, CCoS is not especially long, but is on the tight side, requiring some precision off the tee, with a number of creeks snaking Pays for through fairways and bordering greens. CC of the South is more a second shot course, with $49.95 Itself in One Nicklaus devising some intriguing greens complexes that still have plenty of movement. The or Two Uses Membership number of hazards that border them and some demanding, strategically-placed bunkers combine with greens configurations to put considerable pressure on both approach shots and your short game. There are some bunkers you definitely want to avoid, with Nicklaus using them to protect corner pin positions that offer little room on otherwise ample- appearing putting surfaces. His layout includes a terrific variety of holes, and remains one of the most entertaining private club designs you will play.

APRIL 2011 30 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM Spring... winter is over... the birds are chirping... the sun is shining... the grass is green... GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS AT BRIDGEMILL!

What are you waiting for?

BridgeMill is selected each year in the AJC Book of Lists as one of the top courses in Atlanta.

$40 Weekday Round includes a bag of range balls valid now through May 29, 2011- just mention this ad! HMS GOLF gift cards available BRIDGEMILL ATHLETIC CLUB 1190 BridgeMill Avenue Canton, GA 30114 770.345.5500 | www.BridgeMillAthleticClub.com

BridgeMill Athletic Club is located off I-575 at Sixes Road. Th e drive is 30 minutes or less from most places near or above the northern I-285 Perimeter.

Register at WantFreeGolf.com and your next round at BridgeMill might be FREE!

APRIL 2011 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 31 32 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM APRIL 2011