GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« JULY 2013 Volvik bringing personality to golf Color balls making big splash in market

By Mike Blum The lone high profile exception was Volvik has 37 international golf ball the pink golf ball of Paula Creamer, an patents, many of them stemming from right colors have long been aspect of her “Pink Panther” persona its new Vista iV, a 4-piece dual core ball associated with golf, with the that is more about branding her and not with a soft outer layer and hard inner advent of color television promoting a particular product. core that has made Volvik a player in the bringing the verdant green of In recent months, however, regular high-performance ball market. AugustaB National and the pastels of viewers of LPGA tournaments on Golf The visibility of Volvik has been raised Georgia native Doug Sanders into the Channel have noticed a growing number by ads on Golf Channel, but the com- homes of golf fans across the country. of tour members playing balls of pany is also making an impact at the Modern golf fans have become various colors, mostly orange and state and local level with its accustomed to Bubba Watson’s pink yellow with the occasional pink and involvement with tourna- driver, Rickie Fowler’s orange outfits even a green or two. ments like the Georgia and Ian Poulter’s blue shoes. But The company behind the expansion of Women’s Open. Volvik has after a brief splash in the 1980s color golf balls on the LPGA Tour is signed on as title sponsor of when orange golf balls enjoyed their Volvik, which is hoping to repeat the the 2013 event, which will be 15 minutes of modest visibility, success in the U.S. that it has enjoyed in played this month at Roswell’s the golf ball has overwhelmingly Asian markets. Brookfield Country Club. remained white. Volvik is making a big push to bring The recent impact Volvik some color to the U.S. golf ball has had on the golf ball market market, and its initial efforts have goes beyond the distinctive been promising. colors that have become The company has been manufacturing increasingly popular on the golf balls for 30 years, but was not intro- LPGA Tour. duced to the American market until this “We are making golf balls fun year’s PGA Merchandise Show. Thanks and bringing personality back to to the success of its color balls, Volvik the golf ball.” Volvik National has risen to second in sales in Korea and Volvik player Erik Flores fourth in Japan. [ See Volvik, page 6 ]

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 3 Instruction Fore You

3021 Kalah Place, Marietta, GA 30067 770-933-04GA / 770-953-6638 fax golfforegeorgia.com / [email protected] Send all press releases to: [email protected] PUBLISHER What is a “Flat” wrist? Golf Media, Inc. / John Barrett By Ted Fort EDITOR Mike Blum PGA Director of Instruction body, and creating a vertical motion to v Slightly turned hand WEBSITE/ FACEBOOK/ SOCIAL MEDIA Marietta Golf Center drive a nail. Therefore, the way that you HYPDMedia, Inc. / Ellen Marsau hold the hammer will affect the way the = Slight bend in the wrist at top SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICE & CONTENT wrist cocks. The pictures are The final grip type would be a left hand that Alli Hunt / Ellen Marsau Early in my golf career, I was JUNIOR/COLLEGE GOLF NEWS COORDINATOR from the golfer’s perspective. has the palm facing down or extremely told that my left wrist should Lauren Freeman And, for you to have a better turned to the right. With this grip, the golfer be flat at the top of the swing. SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR understanding, I’d like for you could see 3 or 4 knuckles. Using the In other words, the back of the Abby Bergquist to try each of these grip hammer to drive the same nail would cause left hand should be in line MARKETING & ADVERTISING types instead of only using considerable bend in the left wrist. National Sales: Ed Bowen/Bowen Group, with the left forearm. It’s not your grip. [email protected] bad advice, but I was not Local & Corporate Sale: John Barrett/Rick Holt, The first grip type is what we w Extremely turned hand = given a grip that would allow [email protected] would call vertical. Some may it. If all strokes required a flat Extremely bent wrist at top ART DIRECTOR Lori Montgomery call it neutral or a one knuckle wrist at the top, then Fred I have great golfers as students that use CREATIVE SERVICES Catalina Montana grip, because only the first knuckle is visible CONTRIBUTORS Couples would be a hacker. Most of us each of these grip types. So, using any of by the golfer. This should be the only grip Ted Fort • Robert Matre • Steve Dinberg would agree that he can play a little. And, if these would be a preference, not a require- type that results in the visually flat wrist at • Ed C. Thompson Photography you are using a video phone, an ipad, or a ment. But, when you choose a grip, you the top. When the hammer moves verti- camera to fix your own swing, it’s impor- need to know the matching position at top. GEORGIA SECTION, cally, away from the nail, the left wrist tant to know the differences. If you don’t know which pictures are com- PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS remains flat. I’m going to use a series of pictures to patible, you may miss the golf course President Brian Stubbs, PGA / [email protected] help you to find the proper picture for your u Vertical hand instead of missing the fairway. By holding Vice President top, based on the grip type that you use. a club or wooden dowel in front of Mark Mongell, PGA / [email protected] My focus will be on the way the left wrist = Flat wrist at top you and moving it up and down like Secretary Brian Albertson, PGA / [email protected] works. Everyone should agree that an angle The second grip type would be a left hand hammering a nail, you’ll be able to see Honorary President is created between the left arm and the that’s slightly turned to the right. With this the change in the wrist. Then, if you Patrick Richardson, PGA / [email protected] club to create potential energy. We call this grip the golfer may be able to see the have any questions, feel free to contact the cocking of the wrist. For the right second knuckle of the hand. If the hammer me at [email protected] or at CHAPTER PRESIDENTS handed golfer, it’s the same as holding a is moved in the same vertical manner, there fortifiedgolf.com. Central Chapter President Mike Baker, PGA, [email protected] hammer in the left hand, in front of your will be a slight bend in the left wrist. East Chapter President Josh Williams, PGA / [email protected] North Chapter President u Vertical hand v Slightly turned hand w Extremely turned hand Jeff Fraiser, PGA / [email protected]

AT- LARGE DIRECTORS Jeff Dunovant, PGA [email protected] Matthew Evans, PGA [email protected] John Godwin, PGA [email protected] Billy Jack, PGA [email protected] Chad O’Dell, PGA [email protected] Bob Stevenson, PGA [email protected] Darin Stinson, PGA [email protected]

SENIOR DIVISION President INSIDE THIS ISSUE Steve Barfoot, PGA / [email protected] ASSISTANTS’ DIVISION FEATURES: DEPARTMENTS:DEPARTMENTS: President Bill Fedder, PGA / [email protected] TKGeorgia Open preview ...... 8 Course feature: Lake Spivey ...... 16 Executive Director Mike Paull Assistant Executive Director/ Atlanta Open wrap-up ...... 10 Travel spotlight: Steelwood CC . . . . . 24 Junior Golf Director Scott Gordon Tournament Director Pat Day, PGA Skinner qualifies for PGA ...... 12 Golf FORE Juniors ...... 26 Operations Manager Eric Wagner

Forecast Section Assistant Carrie Ann Byrne July tournament previews ...... 14 Chip Shots ...... 28 FOREGeorgia is produced by Golf Media, Inc. English a winner in Memphis ...... 20 Course reviews: Copyright ©2013 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without permission, Monroe G&CC; CC of Roswell ...... 30 of editorial or graphic content is prohibited. Parel nearing PGA Tour ...... 22 Georgia PGA web site: www.georgiapga.com. TK 4 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM Got the Winter Blues? GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS AT BRIDGEMILL!

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 “Color is the future of golf and we are at the forefront of the color revolution” —Jon Claffey, Volvik Pornanong Phatlum Volvik color balls stop in Raleigh, N.C., carding a 65 for the day. making big splash The plan for Volvik is to have three to [ Continued from the cover ] five Web.com Tour staffers by next year. “We are here to break two misconcep- Director of Sales and Marketing Jon tions,” Claffey points out. “One is that Claffey says. “But we are doing it a little color golf balls are not high performance. differently in that the balls we make are We have three-piece and four-piece golf very high quality. balls that have beaten the best of the best “We manufacture our balls differently in distance and spin time and time again and we spend more money on our mate- in independent Iron Byron tests. rials. We do this to make sure we have “The number two misconception is level, three-piece ball designed for top-shelf performance. There’s no way that the color golf balls are only for advanced golfers with higher swing once it is hit. we could have 20 LPGA players using women. Color is the future of golf speeds, with its design and materials After the brief splash of orange balls in our colorful balls if we didn’t have one of and we are at the forefront of the color providing explosive distance. Unlike the 1980s, color was almost totally the best out there.” revolution.” Volvik’s other balls, the Bismuth is avail- absent from the golf ball business until Among the players competing with Volvik’s collection of color balls able in white. Volvik’s recent surge, which has been Volvik color balls is Ilhee Lee, who won includes four that each serve a different Claffey stresses that Volvik offers more aided by its sizeable roster of professional the LPGA’s recent tournament in the group. than just a colorful product. players using the ball on tour. Bahamas. Lee, Pornanong Phatlum and The new four-piece Vista iV features a “Performance is leading the way. “We’ve seen an absolute market shift,” Chella Choi are all ranked among the soft feel and longer distance with its That’s what you need to do in this Claffey says. “With all the different com- top 25 on the money list, with four patented dual core with a soft outer layer market,” he says. “We feel we have some- petitors in tournaments, we have the others (Jee Young Lee, Lindsey Wright, and hard inner core. The 95- thing entirely different, regardless of color ball showing up on the LPGA Jeong Jang and Meena Lee) among the compression ball has an excellent putting color. We make the golf ball a little Tour. The average golfer thinks, ‘If the top 70. feel and optimal spin rates. The Vista iV differently. pros do it, I can do it’.” “If you feel like been you’ve seeing is Volvik’s premier ball. “Everybody else has a soft inner core Claffey believes color is the wave of the Volvik all over the LPGA Tour coverage, The Volvik Crystal is a premium level and a harder outer core. But our harder future in golf, not just in golf balls. you are not mistaken.” Claffey says. “We three-piece ball with an 80 compression inner core has a better energy transfer, “Color has been a part of golf, and the have been very fortunate to have our staff and is designed for golfers with swing and the very soft cover is what allows us younger generation is more open to it. players performing extremely well this speeds between 60 and 95 mph. It is the to have different colors.” “This is a long term proposition, and year with our highly visible golf balls. evolution of the original Crystal ball that The most popular of the bright Volvik we’re not going anywhere. We’re here for Every week it seems to be someone dif- revolutionized the color golf ball market, colors are orange and yellow, followed by the long term.” ferent stepping into the limelight.” providing distance with a hyper soft feel. green and pink. Volvik’s green offers suf- Volvik is doing more than just pro- Volvik is looking to expand its tour The Volvik Lady 350 is a high per- ficient contrast with golf’s playing moting its product through nationally reach beyond the LPGA. Web.com Tour formance, premium level three-piece ball surfaces to keep it from blending into televised broadcasts. The company will member Erik Flores, a three-time All- designed for female golfers seeking fairways or putting surfaces. have a presence at the Georgia Women’s American at UCLA, is playing the longer distance and a soft feel. The 80 In addition to the bringing a little Open in an effort to introduce its color Orange Vista iV four-piece ball. Flores compression ball with light weight feel more personality to the game, Volvik’s balls to those playing in the tournament, recorded a top 20 finish in the Web.com enables women to play more accurately color balls have the advantage of offering as well as those who are there to support tournament in Greenville, S.C., and with greater spin control. better visibility while in flight for those a friend or family member, or simply as scored a hole-in-one in the tour’s recent The Volvik Pro Bismuth is a premium who have difficulty following the ball a spectator.

Visit www.volvik.com.

Jeong Jang Lindsey Wright Pornanong Phatlum

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 , Tim Tim , now , among , Stevens Bob Tway . JULY 2013 JULY Frank Nobilo Frank , Tommy Brannen Tommy Russ Davis Russ Bill McDonald Bill Larry Nelson . and Stevens also among and Stevens , Gene Sauers Gene Ernie Els Ernie and were the 2004 and ‘05 winners, were Mark Calcavecchia Mark Chan Reeves This will be the fourth time in the last player and former tour Weinhart No Section members managed top-10 Section No The Legends opened in the early bent grass to The change from the 7,000 yards, right around At was also among the Georgia Open cham- Open was also among the Georgia sharing the stretch, pions during that prior to in 1980 title with Simpson turning pro. that the tournament has been 10 years at the Legends, which hosted the played in the 1990s and Open World Sarazen included and its champions. Conley of with Conley posting a winning score PGA 15-under 273. Among the Georgia in the top 10 Weinhart members joining Keppler, in ‘04 were and Simpson was 4th Carolina, the golf coach at South with the next year, Skinner Sonny the top 10. when just three last year, showings par for 72 holes. Fricke broke players shot 5-under 283 to finish one ahead of and a two birdies recorded Fricke Nagy. the final four holes to clutch par over who also had a pair of hold off Nagy, late in the round. birdies with its 1990s to considerable fanfare, design including holes Griffiths Denis strategic similarities from that featured holes at some of the most prominent courses in the world, including the Foot, Winged Medinah, Club, Olympic Troon, Andrews, St. Pinehurst, Merion, 12 and 13 from Riviera and Nos. the latter two the National, Augusta not The holes are most visible examples. copies of their famous counterparts 12th is the closest to repli- (Augusta’s cating the original), but feature comparable shot values. has on the greens Champions Bermuda of a test for the made the Legends more participants, Open the put- with Georgia ting surfaces fast, challenging firm and play and putting touch. both iron Legends lacks serious length, but features [ See Open, page 18 ] Georgia number of PGA Tour players to win players Tour number of PGA and ‘80s, joining during the 1970s Aaron Tommy , Bill Doug Shawn DeWitt and , the state’s was 5th and tied for 2nd in , who scored the first , who scored DeWitt Weaver Jr. Weaver DeWitt of Eatonton was low 7th at Barnsley Gardens 7th at Barnsley David Noll David Ted Moon Ted tied for 6th at Barnsley Clark Spratlin Clark Craig Stevens Craig claimed the title. , Georgia’s top senior amateur, , Georgia’s 7th at Savannah Harbor the pre- Harbor 7th at Savannah Peterson, the head pro at the UGA the head pro Peterson, face con- mini-tour players The state’s been some strong have Although there Hopper John Hull, making his final appearance in making his final appearance Hull, Keppler, The last amateur to win the Georgia Weaver’s father, father, Weaver’s Matt Peterson Matt 5th at Barnsley in ‘09, with Murchison before. the year won the tournament in course in Athens, than in ‘93 on his way to more Savannah primarily on a decade as a tour player, along Tour, Web.com the what is now Tour. on the PGA with one year as both the Open, flicts with the Georgia and NGA (formerly Hooters) eGolf North in that week events have Tours top amateurs also The state’s Carolina. a conflict, as one of the two U.S. have and Amateur qualifiers in the Atlanta of the week will be played areas Athens also con- are There Open. the Georgia top juniors, with an flicts for the state’s Association sched- Golf American Junior and the in Augusta uled that week playing at Tour Junior Southeastern Club. Athletic Atlanta in the Georgia years efforts in recent amateurs, the tournament has by Open not attracted many of the top college and due to its proximity mid-amateur players to U.S. Amateur qualifiers. tying for 6th overall, amateur last year, the state before joining former UGA the state before the staff on Hester coach Kelly women’s among Section was low at Furman, tying for 11th. members last year, Murchison and in 2011, with Hull Gardens Koch vious year. with Dalton’s with Dalton’s tying for 8th. most successful amateur, College golfer with 2011 behind McLuen, Hanzel of tying for 4th in his home town made a strong in 2010. Noll Savannah run at victory behind in ‘07, placing 3rd and List Hull player Tour was former PGA Open Langham Franklin of his two victories in the event in 1989, of his two victories in the event amateur after fellow one year III Weaver four times Open won the Georgia 1972 and ‘79, and was one of a between , . He Matt Wade Justin , now a PGA , now , at the time an Bryant Odom winning by four winning by Roberto Castro Roberto at Savannah Harbor Harbor at Savannah , who plays primarily Luke List Luke scored a decisive 7-stroke a decisive scored Kris Blanks Last year’s tournament was the Last year’s . The Peach State Tour is off the Tour State The Peach . most closely-contested Georgia Samuel Del Val Del Samuel , who completed his college career Tim O’Neal Tim , like Castro a mini-tour player at a mini-tour player , like Castro Open since Hull won by a shot over won by since Hull Open Jonathan Fricke Jonathan Castro is one of two players currently is one of two players Castro to came back the next year Weinhart Both Del Val, who had recently con- who had recently Val, Both Del on the Georgia-based is 2nd McLuen to win the player The most prominent shortly before the 2012 Georgia Open. 2012 Georgia the shortly before List in 2007. Veteran mini-tour player Veteran List in 2007. Tour rookie. Tour Tour, eGolf Carolina-based on the North winning at is the defending champion, one shot over by the Legends last year standout State Kennesaw recent Nagy won by two shots in ‘09 at Barnsley won by after finishing 2nd at one year Gardens, behind former the same site, five player Tour Nationwide Wisconsin. an assistant golf coach at now won the to have Tour on the PGA in the past decade. Open Georgia Bolli at Ansley Golf the time, won in a playoff in ‘03, with Creek Settindown Club’s playoff. part of a three-way Weinhart other than The Legends. But win at in ‘07, win at Champions Retreat Hull’s con- rarely PGA members have Georgia since then. tended in the event assistant pro at The Landings in at assistant pro one also winning by with Hull Savannah, in ‘07 over stroke in 2011, victory Gardens at Barnsley with over in 2010. at Berrycluded his college career in a former Nationwide and O’Neal, Rome, Amateur member and Georgia Tour playing on the fledgling champion, are with O’Neal Tour, PGA Latinoamerica Val in Colombia. Del winning recently at the Legends and was 4th last year had three 6th. McLuen tied for McLuen straight finishes of 4th or better in the win- 2006-08 before tournament from ning in ‘11. money Tour State Peach Golf Hopkins resident Georgia list behind fellow Binfield Open. of the Georgia week is current years in recent Open Georgia member PGA Tour Jay McLuen McLuen Jay on the PGA Tour. Weinhart finished one Weinhart Tour. on the PGA shot ahead of

GEORGIA PGA won back-to- , currently in the , currently Jonathan Fricke , who won at the Legends Jeff Hull Jeff

he Georgia Open returns to returns Open he Georgia Elan the Legends at Chateau year, for a second straight under- with the tournament Stephen Keppler Stephen Preview

State’s mini-tour players look to continue success to continue look players mini-tour State’s GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM GEORIGA OPEN For the first time, the tournament is For annually attracts a Open The Georgia Since In both cases, Weinhart and Hull Weinhart both cases, In

The tournament has traditionally been The tournament has

Georgia Open back at Legends at Chateau Elan Chateau at Legends Open Georgia at back T Georgia PGA, the tournament will be Georgia Thursday this year, to Monday played The set for Sunday. with the pro-am 1. 29-August July tournament dates are Kilt Pub Tilted by being sponsored six locations in which has & Eatery, Atlanta. metro and field, with mini-tour pros diverse PGA members amateurs joining Georgia and apprentices. back tournaments at Lake Oconee or courses in 1994 and ‘95, current won the Georgia have tour players recent The only 15 of the last 17 years. Open PGA members Georgia were exceptions Weinhart Tim in 2004, and who won at PGA Section, Carolinas in ‘07. Champions Retreat competing currently edged out players going a slight change in its playing dates. going a slight change to Sunday Thursday in a standard played Wednesday. on schedule, with a pro-am members of the better accommodate To By Mike Blum 8      
  
                       
   

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 Amateur Griffin wins Atlanta Open playoff Keppler falls just short of first title in event

By Mike Blum The key stretch for Griffin came in the middle of his round, as he scored birdies he Yamaha Atlanta Open on three of the more vulnerable holes at has had a wide variety of Polo G&CC (7, 8 and 10) around a champions in recent years, bogey at the ninth, when he said he but one category missing was “breathed” on a lightning fast putt down collegeT golfers. the slope from the fringe and watched it The tournament title has also eluded trickle 10 feet past the cup. some of the Georgia PGA’s most promi- In the playoff, Griffin wisely kept his nent names, and perhaps the most approach shot below the hole, and lagged successful member on that distinguished his birdie try close enough for an easy par, list was in position to finally end his while Keppler left himself a longer par long quest. attempt than he would have preferred. Marietta CC Director of Golf Keppler capitalized on a “Mulligan” of Stephen Keppler, who has won the sorts, as he was one of the players in the Stephen other three of the Georgia PGA’s four morning wave who had his partial score Atlanta Open champion Keppler majors a total of eight times, was on the Cory Griffin from the first scheduled round washed verge of his first Atlanta Open victory away by heavy rain that rendered the when one of the state’s sizeable stable course unplayable for the rest of the day. of promising young college golfers for the green in two and the birdie pulled When play was halted, Keppler was intervened. Tour, winning consecutive events during him even with Keppler. 4-over par, with 2011 Atlanta Open McDonough’s Cory Griffin, who his senior year in high school. He was When Griffin teed off, his main focus champion Craig Stevens, an instructor at plays on the golf team at Armstrong one of Armstrong’s top players as a soph- was to finish as low amateur. Two ama- Brookstone CC, leading at 5-under. But Atlantic in Savannah, birdied the 17th omore, placing 3rd in the Peach Belt teurs in the morning wave shot 69, and with no chance to complete 36 holes, all hole of the rain-shortened 18-hole tour- Conference Tournament, and was that was Griffin’s target. When he birdied partial scores from the scheduled first day nament to force a playoff with Keppler, coming off a strong effort in a Georgia the 17th, he thought that was for the lead, were erased, with the tournament reduced who bogeyed the first extra hole to Amateur qualifier, sharing medalist but as it turned out, he needed his up- to 18 holes. quickly dash his hopes of achieving the honors at Orchard Hills. and-down par at the 18th to match Early morning rain delayed the start of Georgia PGA Grand Slam. But Griffin was largely unknown to Keppler for the day’s low score. play the next day, but the sun soon came Keppler, who had one of the earlier most of the Georgia PGA contingent in “This means the world to me,” Griffin out, and the field was able to complete 18 morning tee times, shot a 4-under 68 at the field, just as his playoff opponent was said of his victory, “to have my name on holes uninterrupted. Polo G&CC and waited for hours to see unfamiliar to him. the same trophy as Bobby Jones and Keppler was 4-under after 13 holes if his score would hold up. Keppler, one of the state’s highest pro- Dave Womack.” before taking his lone bogey of the day at For most of the afternoon, it appeared file club professionals for the past Jones won the Atlanta Open in 1928, the par-5 17th. He followed with a birdie it would. Several players came close but 20-plus years, will be inducted into the with Womack, a former USGA Mid- at 18 for his 68. It was the second time no one could match Keppler’s score until Georgia Golf Hall of Fame early next Amateur champion and a member at the Keppler placed 2nd in the Atlanta Open Griffin emerged late in the day as the last year. But until they were introduced on same club as Griffin (Georgia National), to an amateur, the first coming 20 years challenger to Keppler’s lead. the ninth tee for the playoff, Griffin had the most recent amateur to win the ago. It was his third straight top-5 finish Griffin reached the dangerous par-5 never met Keppler and was unaware of tournament. in the tournament, all coming since he 17th in two and made birdie to get to his long list of accomplishments in Womack’s victory came in 2010, and turned 50. 4-under, then scrambled for par at the Georgia golf. continued the recent pattern of amateurs As the low club professional, Keppler 18th after coming up well short of the When Griffin learned a little about the winning every three years. Bob Royak, at took home first place money of $3,600 green following a tee shot into a fairway player he defeated in the playoff, he the time one of the state’s top mid-ama- and was also awarded first place points bunker. A superb pitch shot left him just smiled and said it was probably a good teurs, won in 2007, with Womack in the Georgia PGA Player of the a tap-in for par, and Griffin followed thing that he didn’t know who he was winning the event on his home course Year standings. with a solid par on Polo’s difficult ninth matched against. But he showed no sign three years later. Tying for 3rd at 69 were Hank Smith, hole to win when Keppler missed the of nerves either on the closing holes of College golfers won the Atlanta Open an assistant at Frederica GC on St. Simons green with his approach, came up short his round or in the playoff. three times between 1987 and ‘96, with Island, Georgia State golfer Damon with his pitch shot and missed his A clutch save at the tough par-4 16th all three (Jon Hough, Kevin Blanton and Stephenson and Georgia State signee par attempt. kept him at 3-under, and after playing Matt Russell) winning the event again as Nathan Mallonee of Lexington. After Griffin enjoyed some success several conservatively on the first three par 5s, professionals. But Russell’s win in ‘96 was starting his round with a double bogey on years ago on the Georgia PGA Junior all shorter than the 17th, he elected to go the last for a college player until Griffin’s the 10th hole, Mallonee birdied his next recent triumph. three holes and got to 3-under after 11, With the tournament reduced to 18 but parred his last seven holes. Bad break Craig Stevens was 5-under when the holes, Griffin said he “wanted to make as Four players tied for 6th at 70, many birdies as possible and don’t make including Polo G&CC Director of first round of the Atlanta Open was washed out. any big numbers. There were three or four Instruction Steven Mitchell and Sea He shot 71 the next day and tied for ninth. birdies I should have converted, but other than the shot at 16, I played well.” [ See Atlanta Open, page 18 ]

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 Skinner scores top-10 finish in PNC Earns berth in 2013 PGA

he Georgia PGA will be rep- Skinner birdied the 18th hole in the connection, but was resented at the PGA third round to stay in the top 10 after 54 never inside the top 30 Championship for a sixth holes, and clinched his spot in the PGA after any round. He shot straight year, as River Pointe Championship with a birdie at the long, 71-73-74-77 for an 8-over proT Sonny Skinner recorded a top-10 par-3 17th the final day. He finished at 295 total. Weinhart was finish in the recent PGA Professional 1-under 286 in a 5-way tie for 9th. either under par or even National Championship in Oregon. During his career as a tour player, pat late on the front nine in Skinner earned a spot in the 2013 which included four seasons on the PGA each of his last three PGA Championship in August at Oak Tour, Skinner never qualified for a major rounds, but suffered a Hill in Rochester, N.Y., tying for 9th in championship, but will be making double bogey on the back the PNC. It will be Skinner’s third start his third start in the PGA next month nine all four days to cost him in the PGA Championship – and was his since becoming a Georgia PGA member a chance of a top-20 finish third top 10 in the PNC – since 2008. in ‘08. and a sixth career start in the Bill Murchison, an assistant at Towne Murchison was in position to get into PGA Championship. Lake Hills, nearly qualified for the PGA a playoff for the final three spots in the Tommy Brannen, the head Championship for a second straight year, PGA Championship, but a bogey at the professional at Augusta CC, missing a top-20 finish by just one shot. 17th knocked him out, Murchison fin- and Brian Dixon of Fox Creek Nine Georgia PGA members com- ished at 2-over 289, shooting 75-73 the both missed the 36-hole cut by PGA GEORGIA Sonny Skinner peted in the PNC, with three of them final two days. He qualified for the PGA one shot, posting 146 totals making the 36-hole cut. Tim Weinhart, Championship last year, getting a spot in over the first two days. an instructor with Nuclear Golf, which is the PNC field as an alternate after Brannen shot 72-74 and was based at the Standard Club, finished in Skinner withdrew to compete in a inside the cut line before a pair of bogeys par on his round the first day after back- a tie for 59th in his 15th career start in Champions Tour event. on the back nine the second day. Dixon, to-back birdies at 15 and 16, but made a the PNC. A second round 70 on the Meadows making his first start in the PNC, scored triple on the 18th on Meadows. He was Skinner finished 2nd in the PNC in course gave Murchison a 2-under 141 an eagle on the Meadows course in a first 1-under after eight holes on Crosswater, both 2008 (at Reynolds Plantation) and total after 36 holes and a spot in the top round 74, and shot 1-over 72 the next but a triple bogey on his ninth hole of 2010. It will be his second appearance in 20. He struggled on the front nine in the day on the easier Crosswater layout, the day dropped him well outside the a PGA Championship this year, as he third round before a spectacular finish making 17 pars and a bogey in a birdie- cut line. also qualified for the 2013 Senior PGA put him back in contention. Murchison less round. After shooting 74 on the tougher Championship, narrowly missing low played his final five holes birdie-birdie- Country Club of the South Director Meadows, Chicopee Woods assistant club professional honors in that event. birdie-eagle, making 2 on the par-4 18th of Instructor Shawn Koch shot 74-74— Greg Lee struggled to a 79 the next day An opening 67 on the easier of the two when his approach shot one-hopped into 148, managing just one birdie in 36 on Crosswater to miss the cut. Gregg courses used for the first two days at the hole. holes, none the second day on the Wolff, one of four Georgia PGA quali- Sunriver Resort put Skinner in a tie for Murchison was 1-under after seven Crosswater course. fiers for the PNC over the age of 50, shot 6th, but he fell out of a top 20 with a 75 holes the final day before taking a double Craig Stevens, playing in his 16th 76-78—154. Wolff, the head pro at the next day on the Meadows course. bogey on the par-4 eighth. PNC, triple-bogeyed the 18th hole on Willow Lake in Metter, was 2-under Skinner moved into the top 10 by Weinhart was hoping to qualify for the both courses, and shot 75-74—149 to after four holes the second day on the shooting even par (71-73) over the PGA Championship in the city where he miss the cut by four strokes. Stevens, an Meadows course to briefly get close to weekend, finishing strong both days. was born and still has a strong family instructor at Brookstone CC, was even the cut line.

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 July a busy tournament month in Georgia State Am, Women’s Open among events

By Mike Blum tournament’s first three years. mid-amateur, winning the last time it with hazards in play on several of par 3s Stevens will have a conflict that week, was played there in 2003. and par 5s. The greens are large and typ- uly is a busy month for statewide as he is playing in the U.S. Senior Open Noll won the 2011 Georgia Amateur ically fast, with enough movement to tournaments in Georgia, con- in Omaha, which begins two days after at Cherokee T&CC and was 2nd last place serious pressure on players trying to cluding with the Georgia Open at the tournament at Berkeley Hills ends. year behind Lee Knox, who also won in two-putt from long range. J the Legends at Chateau Elan. Berkeley Hills, which has also served as 2010 at The Landings in Savannah. Noll The Judson Collegiate & Legends The month also includes the GSGA’s a qualifying site for top Georgia PGA has been a frequent contender in the Pro-Am Challenge returns to the CC of premier championship, two more and GSGA events, is a short layout by championship, and heads up the state’s Roswell for a second year, with the tour- Georgia PGA tournaments and a unique modern standards, measuring under mid-amateur contingent that has not nament’s unique format pairing college women’s event that features some of the 6700 yards from the tips. While the been able to keep up with Georgia’s golfers with players from the LPGA all-time greats from the LPGA Tour with course has yielded some low scores, it is growing list of talented college players Legends Tour. current collegiate golfers. far from a pushover, with relatively tight who have taken over the tournament in The tournament begins with a pro-am July begins with the Championship at tree lines and some of the more recent years. July 12 including one player from the Berkeley Hills, which will be played for challenging putting surfaces in the Three players who have won the tour- Legends Tour, one collegian and three the fourth time July 8-9. metro area. nament since 2005 are currently playing amateurs, with the teams competing in The tournament features a field of The greens at Berkeley Hills are not on the PGA Tour – Brian Harman, scramble format. club pros and amateurs, with two of the particularly large, but feature ample of Harris English and Russell Henley, Tournament competition begins the Georgia PGA’s top players winning the amounts of slope and speed, with some who won back-to-back titles in 2008 and next day, with each group consisting of event the past two years. extremely demanding putts from above ‘09. Only one other mid-amateur has one Legends player and two collegians. Bill Murchison scored his first the hole. They are the primary defense won the championship since Noll’s first The Legends event will consist of 18 Section victory at Berkeley Hills in 2011, on a course that allows the state’s top title in 2003.Thanks to the two wins by holes, with the college players competing winning a lengthy playoff over Jeff Hull, club professionals and amateurs to hit Knox, who has completed his college over 54 holes, with their tournament who has since moved into the Carolinas short irons into a majority of holes. career at Alabama, college players have ending July 15. PGA Section. Only two par 4s are longer than 406 won seven of the last nine State Ams and The Judson Collegiate & Legends Pro- Stephen Keppler, one of the Section’s yards from the back tees, with the par 3s nine of the last 13 dating back to 2000. Am made its debut last year, with Alicia most successful players over the past 25 ranging from short to medium and two There is a long list of potential winners Dibos taking the Legends title with a 68 years, won last year, holding off a fast- par 5s that are easily reachable after an among this year’s college field, even with to earn the winner’s check of $15,000. finishing Craig Stevens. Keppler opened accurate tee shot. the state’s most prominent collegians Sherri Steinhauer was 2nd at 69, fol- with a 64 on the par 72 layout and fol- The layout rewards skilled shot-making, from Georgia Tech and Georgia not lowed by tournament host Rosie Jones lowed it up with a 69 for an 11-under with precision play a greater asset than competing. at 70 and Beth Daniel at 71. 133 total, two ahead of Stevens who shot power because of the absence of length. Among the college players exempt into Dibos, Steinhauer and Jones will be in a final round 65. The Georgia Amateur also begins two the field are Jimmy Beck (Kennesaw the 30-player field at CC of Roswell this Sonny Skinner, who was 2nd in the days after the tournament at Berkeley State), Franco Castro (Charlotte) and month along with fellow LPGA Legends first Berkeley Hills Championship in Hills ends, and will be played July 11-14 Sepp Straka (Georgia). Among those Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley, Betsy King, 2010, was 3rd at 137, completing a at Pinetree CC in Kennesaw. who had to qualify are Straka’s team- Nancy Lopez, Liselotte Neumann, Jan 1-2-3 finish by the Georgia PGA’s top This will be the fourth time Pinetree mates Brian Carter and Mookie Stephenson and Kathy Whitworth, trio of senior players. All three has hosted the GSGA Championship, DeMoss. Georgia Southern will have who will compete in the pro-am. have top-10 finishes in each of the with David Noll, the state’s top as many players in the field as in a Lopez, who lived for a number of years college tournament, led by No. 1 player in Albany, is one of several players in the

GPGA GSGA Scott Wolfes. Legends field with Georgia ties. Tifton’s Kennesaw State also has a multi-player Nanci Bowen and Peachtree City’s contingent, as does Georgia State and Cindy Schreyer are both Georgia natives Armstrong Atlantic, whose contingent and former college standouts at Georgia. includes recent Atlanta Open champion Jones is a long time Atlanta resident, Corey Griffin. with Jenny Lidback and Luciana Pinetree has been renovated since it Bemvenuti joining her in the metro last hosted the Georgia Amateur, adding area. Lidback is the aunt of PGA Tour length (it can now be stretched to over standout Roberto Castro, with 7100 yards), with some changes to Bemvenuti working at CC of Roswell greens complexes. since she retired as a tour player. Since the renovation, Pinetree is a The defending champion of the stronger track, with no player breaking Judson Collegiate – Ohio State’s Rachel par in the qualifier for the State Am Rohanna – has since turned pro. The played at the club. The course still offers college field will include some players a number of scoring opportunities, with with Georgia ties as well, including UGA a trio of short par 4s and only one par 5 golfer Amira Alexander of Alpharetta measuring longer than 530. and Mercer’s Lacey Fears from Bonaire. But there are also six par 4s averaging Bill Murchison David Noll almost 450 and a strong group of par 3s, [ See Tournaments, page 18 ]

14 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JULY 2013     
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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Lake Spivey a south Atlanta success story

By Mike Blum

olf on Atlanta’s south side has changed significantly since the golf boom of the 1990s, Gbut the one consistent pres- ence has been that of Lake Spivey. The club opened as a 9-hole course in 1963 and added two more nines at 11-year intervals (1974 and ‘85), before reverting to 18 (actually 19) holes in 2007. Lake Spivey has been around longer than any other daily fee course in south metro Atlanta, and other than its renovation almost six years ago, has been a stable operation in an area where most courses have either closed or experienced financial difficulties.

COURSE Profile

View from the tee on the par-5 12th Lake Spivey has long been a family run operation, one of just a handful of courses in Atlanta that fits that descrip- in a different decade. Economic reality tees, with its angled, sloping green well- is among the toughest to putt on the tion. Jeoff Hamilton, the son of the required ownership to sell some of the protected by a sizeable front bunker. course. The slightly longer fourth is club’s owner, manages the facility, and land on which the course was built, Lake Spivey’s front nine features an among the tighter driving holes, with a the Hamiltons have been innovators in resulting in the loss of holes from both excellent mix of holes, beginning and narrow green pinched on both sides Atlanta’s golf community. Lake Spivey the Lake and Hill nines, the original 18. ending with a pair of potentially perilous by bunkers. was the first course in Atlanta to install The newer Club nine remains intact, par 5s. A creek snakes along the left side Tree lines on both sides require accu- Crenshaw bent grass greens, and their and is now the front nine, with the back of the first, with out of bounds uncom- racy on 5 and 6, the latter the longest of consistently excellent conditioning over nine a mixture of holes from the two fortably close down the right side. The the five, with the long, narrow green at the years has been among the reasons for original nines. The only remaining hole long green angles from right to left and the sixth guarded by trees short right and the club’s success. to have been altered to any significant will produce some very lengthy, sand left. The club has long held the reputation degree is the par-4 11th (formerly Hill demanding putts, particularly when the The stretch of par 4s concludes with as one of the metro area’s friendliest oper- No. 7), which has been converted from a pin is cut back left. the seventh, which features a trio of side- ations, and its location is perhaps the par 5. Although most of Lake Spivey’s greens by-side-by-side bunkers stretching across most accessible for courses south of When the re-worked 18 was unveiled don’t appear to have an excess of slope, the fairway near the landing area. Bigger Atlanta to golfers north of the city. Both in 2007, the 11th was one of two former you can expect to encounter a decent hitters can fly them, with the rest of us Lake Spivey’s membership packages and par 5s that were transformed into tour- number of putts with significant breaks. having to either skirt them to the side or daily fee rates are extremely reasonable, length par 4s, changing the character of With the course listed at around 6800 come as close as possible to them without and the club has been cited by Golf the otherwise inviting layout. yards from the gold tees, 6400 from going in. Digest as Atlanta’s best value. Both holes retain the hefty yardages the blues and 6000 from the whites – Some well-placed bunkers on the For more than 20 years, Lake Spivey listed after the re-design, but rarely if but effectively playing a little shorter short-to-mid-length par 3s are very was a 27-hole course with three comple- ever are played from those distances, – the challenge of the putting surfaces much in play, with the large expanse of mentary nines, even though each opened making both considerably more playable more than compensates for the overall sand fronting the eighth green obscuring for the distance challenged among us. modest length. the view of the right side of the expansive That is particularly key for the 11th, The ninth is one of Atlanta’s most putting surface. which remained a virtual par 5 for many entertaining par 5s, with a wide expanse One of the strengths of Lake Spivey is at 438 from the blues and 412 from the of fairway but OB again a concern down the quality of its conditions around the whites, with water fronting the green. the right side. The primary danger is a greens, which make the short game shots The former eighth hole on the Club pond which guards the green front and you’ll encounter a little easier to nego- nine is now the 18th, and changed from left, with an especially scary back left pin tiate. a par 5 to par 4 with very little difference that can make for some very testy short Like the front nine, the back begins in yardage from the back two sets of tees game shots for those who bail out to with a hazardous par 5, with water down (now 471 and 461). When the course is the right. the right of the 10th causing many tee playing fast and firm during the Summer All the par 4s on the nine are bunched shots to find the trees that are tight to the (in between days of heavy rain), the hole from holes 3 to 7, with none of the five left. The hole doglegs right over the does not play its listed yardage from longer than 376 from the blues. The water, with another hazard looming on those tees and has no hazards in play. But short third appears inviting, but its wide, the left for those whose who get a little Perilous par-3 15th it remains a lot of hole, even from shorter shallow green can be tough to hold, and aggressive with their lay-up. The uphill

16 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JULY 2013 with enjoyable layout, friendly attitude

third requires a deft touch to set up a but there are several, the 18th among yards with the forward tees 4879. The Lake Spivey expanded its reach by taking possible birdie opportunity. them, that take some effort to keep it out 12th plays as a par 5 for the women and over River’s Edge, a struggling daily fee After getting past the shortened but of the greenside sand. the 18th as a par 4. course in Fayetteville. still dangerous 11th, the par-5 12th Among the more appealing aspects of In addition to its daily fee play, Lake The Hamiltons made a valiant effort, offers a scoring opportunity, provided Lake Spivey is its 19th hole, the ninth Spivey has an active membership, with but were unable to turn around the for- you can avoid the OB stakes just off the from the Club nine. The tee, which is men’s, women’s and senior groups. tunes of a course once considered among right side of the fairway. The rolling ter- well above the landing area, does not pro- “It’s easy to get involved,” Hamilton the best in the south metro area. The next rain will pose a problem for those going vide a view of a pond right of the fairway, says. “People love groups. One reason group that took over River’s Edge had no for the green in two, with trees and sand but there is more room to that side than why people leave golf is they lose their more success, and it eventually closed, as a the main concerns. you might think. Find the fairway and it’s groups. We’ve always got groups to play number of south side courses have during Both par 3s on the nine require carries a short second into a multi-tier green with, and that’s a big asset.” Lake Spivey’s half century in business. over water, but neither shot is especially guarded by sand short and left. Typically, the men’s group plays on Without the burden of operating lengthy. The 15th, which was an uncom- The 19th can be used to decide bets or Saturday and Sunday, the seniors on River’s Edge and having 19 holes instead fortable opening hole on the Club nine, toss out a score from either 11 or 18 to Tuesday and Thursday and the women of 27, things are not quiet as hectic at is just 150 from the blues, but with a keep the par at 72 and prevent possible also on Tuesday, with all three having Lake Spivey as they were a decade ago. green fronted by water and wood planks serious damage to your scorecard. their own tournament schedules. But keeping things operating smoothly in and bordered by a small bunker and a Although Lake Spivey is among the Lake Spivey, which has a strong pres- an economy that is not exactly ideal for steep hill, there is little room to safely shorter and more inviting courses on ence in the local community, also has a golf still keeps Hamilton and his staff on miss. Atlanta’s south side, it is far from a growing junior program, headed up by their toes, as they strive to continue the Length is not a concern on the three pushover. Thanks to the mostly narrow head professional Jeffrey Biggers and deserved success the club has enjoyed par 4s leading up to the 18th, but accu- corridors and testy greens, the course is assistant Derrick Ayers. over the years. racy, especially on 16 and 17, is vital. rated at 72.7/136 from the back tees, The staff at Lake Spivey has long had Both turn slightly to the left, with trees 71.0/132 from the blues and 68.9/127 the reputation for its welcoming atti- very much in play off the tee, along with from the whites, with the numbers from tude, and that hasn’t changed over the a bunker at the corner of the dogleg on the latter two sets of tees reflecting the years, although there was an added For information, call 770-471-4653 17. As with most holes at Lake Spivey, scorecard yardage on holes 11 and 18. challenge about a decade ago. Prior to or visit www.lakespivey.net. bunkering is at a minimum on all three, The gray (senior) tees measure 5558 the club going from 27 holes to 19,

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 Augusta National-like 12th (the 15th at Georgia Open the Legends) and the short seventh, Atlanta Open Spratlin, who won a recent Georgia [ Continued from page 8 ] inspired by Troon’s “postage stamp” hole. [ Continued from page 10 ] PGA event at Chicopee Woods; and Fox The other two have more length and are Creek head pro Brian Dixon. a strong group of par 4s, only one of among the tougher holes on the course. Island GC head pro Will Hutter, who Koch was 4-under after 5 holes, high- which is a relative breather, the 344-yard The Legends also sports an interesting carded six birdies. Also shooting 70 were lighted by an eagle at the 13th, but did 16th. Several of the par 5s are reachable in group of finishing holes, with the par-5 college golfers Will McFarlin (Roswell) not make another birdie. Dixon was two, but three of the four are quite narrow 14th – one of the two with greens perched of North Georgia and Jack Walsh 3-under after 8 before bogeys on the final and all four exact penalties for those who atop rock walls – 15th and 16th all (Lawrenceville) of Western Carolina. hole of each nine. Stevens again had five stray off the tee or on the approach. offering birdie opportunities before a Walsh bogeyed the opening hole, but birdies, but also took four bogeys. With a few exceptions, the Legends is a stout pair of closing par 4s, The 17th is birdied three of the next four and was the Defending champion Seth McCain of relatively tight driving course, with most among the most difficult holes on the only player to get to 5-under when he Jennings Mill was 4-under after an eagle holes lined by trees that are frequently course, with the 18th a tough hole to notched his sixth birdie of the day on the at 13, but settled for a 72 after consecu- uncomfortably close to the fairways. The birdie for those coming to the final hole 12th. But Walsh bogeyed 15 and double tive double bogeys at 16 and 17. Jason mostly well-protected greens require pre- needing one. bogeyed 16 to lose his lead. Bruce, a GolfTec instructor, was 3-under cision approach shots to avoid bunkers Four qualifiers will be played this Among nine players tying for 10th at before a double bogey at 12 and also shot and potential three-putts, with two of month for players not exempt into the 71 were Stevens; CC of the South 72, as did Sonny Skinner, who was them fronted by rock walls that add a field. They will be played at Coosa CC Director of Instruction Shawn Koch, 4-under on his final nine before a bogey little spice to the otherwise straight- (July 15) Eagle’s Landing and Savannah the 2006 Atlanta Open champion; at the 9th. forward layout. Quarters (July 18) and Berkeley Hills Currahee Director of Golf Clark The par 3s are highlighted by the (July 22).

Because of the late eligibility change are Carmen Bandea, a frequent con- bunkering and some of the greens Tournaments and some restrictions on the Georgia tender in the tournament, and Mari complexes. [ Continued from page 14 ] PGA’s efforts to contact players from out- Chun, both Atlanta area residents who With a handful of exceptions, side the state, the field is expected to compete on the Canadian Women’s Tour. Brookfield is not an especially lengthy For more information on the tourna- consist primarily of Georgians. Bandea is in the top 10 on the tour’s layout, but is relatively tight off the tee, ment, visit www.judsongolf.com. The tournament faces conflicts with money list, tying for 6th in the season with out of bounds within reach on a The Volvik Georgia Women’s Open different groups of players. Defending opener, and had a runner-up finish in number of holes. There is also a decent has a new title sponsor, a new host course champion Kendall Wright is one of sev- Canada last year. Bandea has five top-5 amount of trouble in play, including a (Brookfield Country Club) and has eral Georgians competing on the Symetra finishes in the Georgia Women’s Open pair of stout par 4s on the opening nine expanded its reach to include players from Tour, the development tour for the since 2005, including a playoff loss to and a pair of par 5s on the back. outside the state. The tournament will be LPGA, which has a tournament in two-time champion Margaret Shirley The renovated greens complexes played July 15-16. Albany, N.Y., that ends the day before the in 2008. are among the primary challenges, with Georgia Women’s Open begins. Recent There will be three divisions in the the putting surfaces on the quick side, Kendall Wright UGA golfer Emilie Burger, who won the tournament, one for pros and top many of which include considerable event as an amateur in 2010, has joined amateurs, one for amateurs not com- movement. Wright on the Symetra Tour. Dori peting in that flight, and one for seniors. For information on the tournament, Carter, who won in 2011, is playing on Each of the three divisions will play from visit www.georgiapga.com or call the LPGA Tour. separate tees. 678-461-8600. There are also conflicts for the state’s Brookfield hosted an LPGA tourna- college and top amateur players, including ment from 1977-84 and its champions Riverdale’s Mariah Stackhouse, who won included JoAnne Carner, Amy Alcott For updates on Georgia’s the Georgia Women’s Open while still in and Kathy Whitworth. The course July tournaments, visit high school in 2009. has been extensively renovated in www.golfforegeorgia.com. Among the players who have entered recent years, with significant changes in

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 English joins Henley as PGA Tour winner Recent Bulldog standout takes Memphis title

Harris English By Mike Blum British Open for the second straight year, English wound up winning by two with last year’s tournament his first with a 12-under 268 total. Stallings and arris English has been a appearance in a major championship. fast-finishing Phil Mickelson tied for familiar name on the As he has done a number of times in 2nd at 10-under, with English pre- Georgia golf scene since he his brief PGA Tour career, English was an serving his lead on the dangerous 18th H won the Georgia Amateur early contender in Memphis, sharing the hole at TPC Southwind, something in 2007 shortly before enrolling at the first round lead at 66 and taking first by more experienced players have failed to University of Georgia. himself after a 64 Friday. do in the past. English made headlines during his col- As a rookie, English established a pat- “That was my first time holding the lege career in Athens, winning four tern of fast starts but stumbling finishes, lead in a PGA Tour event, especially after tournaments and earning All-America particularly in a trio of events in Florida 36 holes,” English said. “I felt very, very honors each year for the Bulldogs, who at different stages of the season. English comfortable, very calm out there. I had a pair of top-3 finishes in the NCAA has improved his weekend play this year, haven’t been leading a tournament Championship during his four years on and even though his back-to-back 69s in before, but I’ve been around the lead and the team. Memphis did not match his scores the I really know how it felt.” Just after completing his college career, English began drawing some national attention. He won one of the “The main thing I’m looking forward to is Nationwide Tour’s top events as an ama- teur, and was a member of the 2011 U.S. playing in the Masters next year”— Harris English Walker Cup team later that year. English turned pro after his Walker first two days, they were good enough to The first big win for English was the approach, relying on a textbook swing Cup appearance and was an immediate secure his first PGA Tour victory. 2007 Georgia Amateur at Ansley Golf and a power game he has dialed back a bit success. In his second start on the English lost the third round lead to Club’s Settindown Creek, and he fin- since joining the PGA Tour. English is not Nationwide Tour as a pro, he lost in a playing partner Shawn Stefani, who ished 2nd and 3rd the next two years in as dangerous on the greens as his former playoff in Midland, Tex. Two weeks later, went to the front with a 66 despite a the tournament behind Henley. teammate, but his putting stats are English was 3rd in Miami. He closed out quadruple bogey on a par 3. English English and Henley were the Bulldogs’ above average. his brief rookie season as a pro with a began the final round one off the lead, top two players for most of their college Unlike Henley, a Macon native who has strong showing in the finals of Q-school, and both he and Stefani were overtaken careers, and have spent the last few years since moved to Charleston, S.C., after earning a PGA Tour card in his on the opening nine by Scott Stallings. one-upping each other. living briefly on St. Simons Island, first attempt. But after carding four bogeys on the Henley struck first with a strong English has settled on the Georgia coast as Although English did not win during front nine, English came back with four showing in the 2010 U.S. Open, fol- part of a large contingent of tour players his debut season on the PGA Tour, his birdies on his final nine, taking the lead lowed by his win in the 2011 Stadion on the island. name kept popping up on leader boards, with consecutive birdies at 16 and 17. Classic at UGA late in his senior season “I’m still learning every day and trying and he easily retained his status, finishing The birdie on the par-5 16th, a hole he with the Bulldogs. English won as an to learn from the veterans at Sea Island as 84th on the final money list. eagled in the opening round, was amateur on the Nationwide Tour a few much as I can,” English said. “They’ve English was enjoying a comparable expected, but not the one on the difficult months after his second straight solid been in this situation and know what it sophomore season when he made his first par-4 17th. showing in the Stadion Classic. English feels like to be on 18 and you can’t feel major mark as a professional, winning “That birdie on 17 was huge,” English and Henley were both part of a talented your hands and you’re shaking. It’s good the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC said. “I really wasn’t going for birdie U.S. side in the Walker Cup that lost to to have guys like that I can lean on.” Southwind in Memphis. there. I had that 20-footer downhill. the GBI team in Scotland. The win by English was the second in With the victory, English joined UGA I was really trying to two-putt and it English made it to the PGA Tour first two weeks on the PGA Tour for the St. teammate Russell Henley as a winner on went in dead center. It gave me a lot of and played well as a rookie, but Henley Simons contingent. The previous week, the 2013 PGA Tour, and stamped him- momentum coming into 18.” closed out his rookie season on the former Georgia Tech great Matt Kuchar self as one of the tour’s up and coming English got a little unexpected help Web.com Tour with a pair of victories to won the Memorial Tournament, his stars. The win earned English spots in over the weekend from a friendly sky box join English this year. Henley made a second title of 2013 along with his WGC the 2013 WGC Bridgestone Invitational and a few of his competitors. An off- dramatic debut by winning his first PGA Match Play victory. and PGA Championship, as well as the target approach shot late in the third start in Hawaii to beat English to The final leader board in Memphis was 2014 season-opening Tournament of round landed on top of a sky box and Augusta, but English is guaranteed a spot filled with players with ties to Georgia. Champions and, most importantly, next landed closer to the putting surface in the 2014 Masters while Henley is still Patrick Reed, a teammate of English for year’s Masters. before deflecting off a spectator into a working on securing an invitation. one season before transferring to Augusta “The main thing that I am looking very favorable lie in a greenside bunker, While English and Henley have State, was a contender down the stretch, forward to is playing in the Masters next leading to a par. enjoyed comparable degrees of success placing 5th at 8-under. year,” English said after his victory. Stefani’s quadruple bogey kept English throughout their days in college, amateur Jonathan Byrd tied for 10th at “Growing up in Georgia, that was the close to the lead after 54 holes, and and professional golf, they have done so 5-under, with fellow St. Simon resident main tournament that I always watched Stallings gave up a 2-shot lead late with different styles. Davis Love T18 at 4-under along with and went to when I was a kid.” Sunday when he chunked a short Henley is an aggressive, intense com- Roberto Castro, Brendon Todd and English did not get into the U.S. iron approach into a pond and made petitor known for his deadly putting Jason Bohn, all of whom live in metro Open, but is likely to compete in the double bogey. touch. English favors a more low-key Atlanta. IMAGES BY AL KOOISTRA

20 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JULY 2013 A TRULYTRUULLYY UNIQUEUNIQUUE

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 Augusta’s Parel a first-time winner at 48 Web.com title puts PGA Tour within reach

By Mike Blum through the first 11 tournaments, but member for the next five years, playing Sunday, firing a 7-under 64 that after his outstanding performance in respectably for the most part but never included four birdies on the front nine ne month after turning 48, Wichita, appears in great shape to make seriously threatening to earn his PGA and a birdie-eagle-birdie stretch on the Augusta’s Scott Parel took his PGA Tour debut next year, less than Tour card. incoming nine that enabled him to pull his biggest step toward a year-and-a-half before he turns 50. Parel lost his status again after the away from his challengers. Oreaching a goal that always Parel has been grinding away in golf’s 2009 season, and spent the next two Parel finished the tournament at seemed a bit beyond his grasp. minor leagues his entire professional years back on the mini-tours, occasion- 18-under 268, three ahead of the runner- With a victory in a recent Web.com career, which did not begin until 10 years ally playing his way into Nationwide up and five clear of 3rd place. Tour event in Wichita, Parel is in posi- after he graduated from the University of Tour events in Monday qualifiers. A A 45-footer for eagle at the 14th was tion to earn a spot on the 2014 PGA Georgia in 1986 with a degree in com- strong showing in the finals of Q-school part of a stretch of five straight key putts Tour, a remarkable achievement for puter science. came up just short, as he missed by just by Parel, including a clutch pair of par- someone who did not turn pro until he Unlike the four other ex-Bulldogs who one shot of earning his PGA Tour card. savers to start the streak. was in his early 30s. have won on either the PGA or Web.com That gave Parel exempt status on the “All week long over longer putts, I felt Parel would be the oldest PGA Tour Tours this year, Parel did not play on the Nationwide Tour for just the second like I could make them;” he said after his rookie ever, replacing fellow Georgian golf team in Athens, with his game not time, and he enjoyed his best season as a victory. “You get in the zone with the Allen Doyle, who was 47 when he sufficiently advanced to compete at that pro last year, placing 35th in earnings putter. I didn’t feel nearly as comfortable joined the tour in 1997. level. He tried out for the baseball team with $147,000. He nearly scored his first from maybe four or five feet, but from To earn a spot on next year’s PGA as a middle infielder, but did not make win on the tour, losing in a playoff in 20 feet and out, I felt like I had the speed Tour, Parel must remain in the top 25 on the roster. Raleigh, N.C. He dropped out of the top and was seeing the lines well.” the Web.com Tour money list through After graduating, Parel returned home 25 on the money list during the latter The victory has altered Parel’s outlook the final regular season event in August. to Augusta, where he put his college stages of the season and was unable to on his aim for the remainder of Parel, who was 153rd on the money list degree to use and also developed into one repeat his successful effort in the finals of the season. coming into the Wichita tournament, of the better amateurs in the area. He Q-school, sending him back to the re- “My goal was to get in the top 75,” he moved up to 14th with earnings of qualified for the 1994 U.S. Amateur and named Web.com Tour this year. said, referring to the spot on the money almost $125,000. made it to match play at TPC Sawgrass, Parel was slowed for much of the early list required to qualify for a four-tourna- It will likely take somewhere in the and that started him thinking about the stages of this season with a back injury, ment series at the end of the Web.com $140,000 range to finish in the top 25, possibility of a professional career. and made just two of his first nine cuts Tour season that will determine the with Parel having eight tournaments left Not long after his wife Mary gave birth before a decent showing in the status for the players who earn berths on in July and August to collect another to the couple’s second child, Parel Washington, D.C. area. After a week off, the 2014 PGA Tour. $15,000 or so. Parel made only $7,800 decided to give pro golf a shot, allowing Parel came back with the best week of his “I may have to re-evaluate. I want to himself five years to make a go of it. He career, winning one of just a handful of do what it takes to be in the top 25.” enjoyed some success at the mini-tour Web.com events that was part of the The top 25 finishers on the Web.com level, but was unable to move beyond Hogan Tour’s initial schedule in 1990. Tour money list at the end of the regular TESRGOA ONAINCLASSIC FOUNDATION REGIONAL ATHENS that. He qualified for four events on With his victory, Parel added his name season are guaranteed spots on the 2014 what is now the Web.com Tour, but did to the list of tournament champions in PGA Tour. But their position for next not make the cut in any of them, and was Wichita that includes Tom Lehman, year will be determined by their play in unable to advance to the finals of David Duval, David Toms, Ben Crane, the four post-season events, which will Q-school. Jason Dufner, Scott Piercy and also include players from the PGA Tour, Parel qualified for the 2002 U.S. Open Jhonattan Vegas. who will compete for 25 additional spots at Bethpage and made his first Parel won with an outstanding all- for next season along with other Nationwide Tour cut one month later. around performance. He was 5th in both Web.com members. He closed out the year by making it to in fairways hit (73 percent) and greens in Parel still needs another strong tourna- the finals of Q-school and earned regulation (75 percent) and 2nd in put- ment showing or two to secure his PGA Nationwide Tour status for 2003. He has ting. Parel was a respectable 32nd in Tour card for 2014, and will need to play played on the tour ever since, some years driving distance, averaging right at 300 well in the four Finals events to put him as an exempt member, some with no yards, an impressive number for near the top of the priority list for the status when he was able to make just a someone who is just 5-5 in height. He 50 qualifiers. handful of starts. recorded 22 birdies and two eagles, both “At the last tournament, I felt like The first year as a tour member did coming on a par 5 on the back nine. He I was close to where I needed to be,” not go well for Parel, who made the cut eagled the hole late in the third round Parel said. in just 2 of 16 starts and lost his status. Saturday, helping to give him a one- “The great thing about winning is that He returned to the tour full time in 2005 stroke lead heading to the final round. I’m going to be 49 next year, and I’ll have – notching his first top 10 finish -- and Finding himself in the unaccustomed some place to play.” also made his second U.S. Open appear- position of leading after 54 holes, Parel Scott Parel ance. He was a Nationwide Tour responded with the low round on

“I want to do what it takes to be in the top 25”—Scott Parel

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 23 Steelwood a shining gem off the beaten path

and like the greens throughout the course, Alabama course rated among state’s finest is smooth, fast and a real challenge to read with subtle breaks. The course turns away from the lake beginning at the third, which requires a FORE GEORGIA Travel China’s Tianglan most of his golf course design work with short cart ride along an ecologically sensi- Guan, who made headlines Tom Fazio and Bob Cupp in the Gulf tive area and a boardwalk from the second at this year’s Masters and has Coast area, although he has also worked green. The third is the first of several short By Ed Bowen competed in several other PGA Tour on high profile courses in Arizona, par 4s that offer scoring opportunities, utstanding golf destinations events since, has also played in the AJGA southern California, Michigan and New provided you can avoid bunkers at the can be found in a variety of event there. Jersey. corner of the dogleg left and a big sand locales in states that border Steelwood CC is a private facility, but is Among Pate’s designs that may be trap just right of a green that measures 53 Oon Georgia, including some accessible to guests staying at one of the familiar to Georgia golfers are Bluewater yards from front to back. a bit off the beaten path. two Stewart Lodges, which serve as ideal Bay (with Fazio) in the Destin area, Gulf The par-5 fourth bends sharply to the Many Georgians are familiar with hosts for corporate retreats and meetings, Shore’s Kiva Dunes, Limestone Springs right, with an environmentally sensitive courses in the Gulf Shores area of what as well as vacations for family and friends. outside Birmingham and Dancing Rabbit area lining the right side and requiring a is known as LA (Lower Alabama) to The lodges feature views of either the (with Fazio) and Old Waverly (with carry over it to reach the green in three. residents of the state on Georgia’s golf course or a 200-acre stocked, fresh Cupp) in Mississippi. The hole measures over 600 from the tips, western border. water lake that gives the Jerry Pate- From the tips, Steelwood CC is s stout but is less daunting from the next two sets A little to the north along the I-10 cor- designed course much of its character, as test, measuring just under 7100 yards (513 and 477). ridor that connects Pensacola, Mobile and well as serving as a great opportunity to with a Course Rating/Slope of 74.0/144. Another short par 4 without a great Biloxi is Steelwood Country Club, a fish for bass or bream. Hunting is also There are significant gaps in yardage deal of trouble follows, but the toughest secluded 1400-acre private/resort facility available on site, along with miles of between the next two sets of tees, with the par 4 on the course awaits two holes later, located just outside the small city nature trails. blues a reasonable 6456 (71.1/138) and with a demanding second shot over a wet- of Loxley. All the amenities at Steelwood CC and the senior tees a friendly 5694 (67.5/131). lands area. Fortunately, there is some Loxley is on the east side of Mobile Bay, the Stewart Lodges are first class, with the The forward tees are right at 5100 yards bailout area short and right. with the city of Mobile across the bay and golf course ranked among the top 5 new and rated at 69.3/128. The front nine closes with a risk/reward I-10 to the west. Steelwood CC is just private courses in the country when it The course begins and ends with holes par 5 that measures only 485 from the north of I-10 and is a familiar site to some opened in the late 1990s. Steelwood CC along Lake Steelwood, with the inland blues, but features a wide, shallow green of the state’s top junior golfers, who have has maintained its lofty status, twice parts of the course routed through a forest fronted by a hazard and a pair of bunkers been competing in an American Junior ranking behind only Shoal Creek as the and dotted with wetlands that are partially that cover the width of the putting surface. Golf Association tournament there No. 2 course in Alabama. responsible for the relatively healthy The incoming nine includes another since 2008. Pate has deep roots in the South. He slope numbers. par 4 where a wetlands area short of the Jimmy Beck of Columbus, the No. 1 was born in Macon, attended college at With majestic tree lines bordering just green has to be negotiated (11) and a player on the golf team at Kennesaw State, the U. of Alabama and now resides in about every fairway on both sides, lengthy, straightaway par 4 (13) with won an AJGA event there in 2010, with Pensacola, Fla. He won the 1976 U.S. Steelwood is a fairly tight course off the another sizeable gap (87 yards) between Riverdale’s Mariah Stackhouse, who is Open at Atlanta Athletic Club as a tee. The trees account for half the name of the blue and white tees, before turning coming off a terrific freshman season on PGA Tour rookie, and has done back towards the lake at the 15th. The the women’s team at Stanford, winning lake forms a backdrop on the dogleg right the girls division the same year par 4, with the final three holes playing as Beck and repeating her title in along the water to provide a memorable 2011. finish to an enjoyable round. The 16th is the last of the short par 4s, with the tee located near one of the lodges. After a lay-up off the tee, the hole angles sharply to the left over wetlands and sand to s small-ish target. The lake is more in view than in play on the par-3 17th, but lines the entire left Clubhouse at Steelwood CC side of the par-5 finishing hole. A yawning bunker down the right side is very much a concern off the tee, as is a the club, with the property acquired by fairway that slopes toward the water. U.S. Steel in the mid-1950s. Water looms just off the left edge of the Steelwood Lake sits off to the left of the long, narrow green, which is protected opening hole, a sweeping, mid-length in front by a pair of bunkers flanking dogleg left par 4 with the longest gap on either side. the course between the blue (419) and white (324) tees. The lake is not in play on the par-3 For information on Steelwood, second, but provides a splendid view, visit www.stewartsteelwood.com, with the main concern a trio of mail [email protected] Overhead views of gorgeous Steelwood layout bunkers that surround the green. The or call 866-580-4343. putting surface slopes toward the lake,

24 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JULY 2013 Exceptional Mountain Golf

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Few courses in the eastern U.S. offer the beauty, challenge and playability that Fazio created here. And Champion Hills Club is private, member-owned and debt free. Recently, the Club created a new national membership program for golfers who live outside the Hendersonville area and want to use the Western North Carolina region as their weekend playground.

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2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 25 Golf FORE Juniors

GPGA

GPGA

Murphy, Harris Legends at Chateau Elan. Fl at Creek and Ri ve rmont CC both shot 67, with Fl at Creek GPGA champions winning a scorecard playoff. The Fl at Creek team consisted of pro Sean Murphy of Decatur and Katy Harris Brandon Lovelady and juniors Andrew of St. Simons Island we re the boys and gi rls Hitchcock, Connor Coffee and winner of the Georgia PGA Junior David Bartels. Competing for Rivermont Championship, played last month at were pro Matthew Evans and juniors Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee. Ryan Dyleski, Ryan Elmore and Murphy shot 5-under 139 with scores of Dominic Terragno. 69 and 70 to finish one shot ahead of Georgia Golf Center and Summit Chase Buford’s S.M. Lee and Tyler Barker of tied for 3rd at 69. Playing for Georgia Golf Evans. Lee shot 69-71 and Barker posted Center were pro Danny Elkins and juniors scores of 71-69. Matthew Fraschilla, Austin Haynes and Sean Murphy Katy Harris Jacob Joiner of Albany shot a second Jacob Price. The Summit Chase team round 68 to take 4th at 141. Tying for 5th at was pro David Epps and juniors 143 was Steven Fisk of Stockbridge, who Phillip Westberry, Michael Clay and also shot 68 in the second round, Reid Brittany Tarnowski. Rathburn of Alpharetta and John Yi of 4 Georgians make 217 total. Payton Schanen opened with a Marietta. Rathburn shot 69 the second day. U.S. Junior field 68 and tied for 6th at 225. In the boys divi- Brandon Alsobrook of Powder Springs sion, David Mackey of Bogart was 4th at was 8th at 144 and Matt Goodman of Byrd, Tardy score Four Georgians qualified at the UGA 211 with scores of 71-69-71. Jake Fendt of Johns Creek took 9th at 146. GSGA junior titles course in Athens for this month’s U.S. Junior Suwanee tied for 8th at 214, with Brennan Murphy had five birdies and an eagle Championship in California. Bogdanovich of Suwanee and Jonathan during his second round 70, taking the lead Dunwoody’s Marcus Byrd and Bailey Sharing medalist honors at 143 were KepplerT11 at 215. Zach Zeddiker of Gray with birdies at 17 and 18. He eagled the Tardy of Norcross won the GSGA Junior Spencer Ralston of Gainesville (72-71), and Benjamin Shipp of Duluth we re T16 at ninth hole both days. and Girls Championships, both played in Jacob Joiner (70-73) and Carter Mobley 216, with Shipp shooting a tournament- Harris shot 69-72—141 to win the girls June. Byrd won the Junior Championship at (69-74). Jonathan Keppler of Marietta low 65 in the final round. title by one over Janet Mao of Johns Creek. The Farm in Rocky Face, with Tardy taking earned the 4th spot at 144, with Tyler At Ashland, Ky., Janet Mao was 4th at Rinko Mitsunaga of Roswell was 3rd at the Girls title at Atlanta Athletic Club. Joiner, Jacob’s brother, first alternate at 145. 223, five behind the winner, and Kayley 143 after a second round 69, with Eunice Yi Byrd shot 70-71-74 for a 1-under 215 The U.S. Junior Championship will be Marschke of Suwanee was 6th at 226. In of Johns Creek 4th at 144. Kayla Jones of total, three ahead of a trio of runners-up. played July 22-27. the boys division, Wyatt Larkin of Alpharetta and Diane Lim of Norcross tied Tying for 2nd at 216 we re Jack Larkin of Mo rganton shot 2-over 212, including an for 5th at 147. Atlanta, Tye Waller of Griffin and Ryan opening 67, and tied for 5th, five behind Mao led Harris by one shot after the first Stachler of Alpharetta. A birdie on the 16th Lim places 2nd the winner. Kyle Mueller of Watkinsville round, carding seven birdies in her opening hole provided Byrd’s margin of victory. was T11 at 214. 68. Harris was 2-over after 14 holes, but Carter Mobley of Waynesboro was tied in AJGA event At Okatie, S.C., Ji Eun Baik of Newnan played her last five holes in 5-under with Byrd going to the final round, but shot Diane Lim took 2nd in an American Junior tied for 3rd at 145, shooting 68 in the final including a birdie-birdie-eagle finish. Mao 80 and ended up tied for 6th with Atlanta’s Golf Association Pre-Season tournament round. Maggie Ashmore of Kingston and could not keep pace the next day, playing Will Duma. Stachler shared the opening re ce ntly at Chateau Elan, the site of the Katy Harris tied for 10th at 150. Steven her first 17 holes in 3-over without a birdie round lead at 68 with Albany’s Tyler organization’s headquarters. Wysocki of Hoschton tied for 7th in the before closing with an eagle on 18. Hanson, who placed 5th at 218. Lim shot 71-74—145 to finish three boys division at 144. Billy Johns of Johns Mitsunaga was 3-under on her final nine, Larkin closed with a 69, carding three behind the winner. Madison Caldwell of Creek and Stanton Schorr we re T11 at 145, but was edged out for 2nd place by Ma o’s birdies on his last four holes, but bogeyed Dawsonville was 3rd at 149 and Caroline with Johns closing with a 68. final hole eagle. the 17th. Waller was 3-under on the back Griffin of Ti fton tied for 8th at 155. In a Georgia PGA Junior Tour event at nine the final day, closing with a 70. Both Stanton Schorr of Columbus tied for 6th Chandler shoots 62 Stone Mountain GC, Joseph Reich of Stachler and Hanson we re under par in in the boys division at 69-75—144, with Kennesaw shot 75-74—149 to take the their final rounds before struggling down Jake Thomas of Cumming also tying for in SJGT victory boys title by two strokes over Alexander the finish. 6th. Matt Collins of Duluth and Park Atlanta’s Will Chandler won a Quinn of Grayson. The Girls Championship was a two-way Brady of St. Simons Island we re T13 at 148. Southeastern Junior Golf Tour event last Andrew Yowell of Marietta was the battle between Ta rdy and Rinko In an AJGA Junior All-Star event last month at the Georgia Club, shooting a 10- 14-15 age group winner at 157, with Mitsunaga. Tardy recorded 13 birdies over month at WindStone GC in Ringgold, under 62 in the second round for a winning Cameron Stokes of Cumming 2nd at 161. three rounds on AAC’s Highlands Course, Hunter Dunagan of Martinez tied for 4th, score of 13-under 131. Chandler won the Lorenzo Elbert of East Point won the posting scores of 68-71-71 for a 6-under four behind the winner, with scores of boys overall title by seven strokes and the 11-13 division with a 157 total, one ahead 210 total. Mitsunaga was 2nd at 212 with 69-69-73—211. Salil Ghamande of Evans 14-15 age group by eight over Alpharetta’s of Atlanta’s Daniel McKenzie. The overall scores of 71-69-71. She had 12 birdies for tied for 16th at 214 and Spencer Ralston Chandler Eaton. girls winner was Reece Brooks of the tournament. was T20 at 215. Lauren Lightfritz of Carter Mobley was the 16-19 winner at Lawrenceville at 171, with Dunwoody’s Eunice Yi was 3rd at 222, with Annie Suwanee was 9th in the gi rls division 139, with Dalton Johnson of Forsyth and Woo Wade 1st in the 11-14 division. Swords of Newnan 4th at 226. Diane Lim at 229. Steven Wysocki ty ing for 2nd at 143. Pro-Junior: A team from Flat Creek in and Janet Mao tied for 5th at 227. In other AJGA events last month: Preston Topperof Suwanee was the 12-13 Peachtree City won the Georgia PGA Pro- Rachel Dai of Milton was 3rd at winner at 144, one ahead of Nicolas Junior Championship, played at the Steelwood CC in Loxley, Ala., with a 1-over Cassidy of Alpharetta and Daniel

26 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JULY 2013 GSGA

GSGA

Dougan Annan was 3rd at 150. Huntzinger, Murphy Alfo rd and Fienemann we re again 1-2 in the 12-14 age group. Alfo rd shot 70-73— win Atlanta events 143, with Fienemann 2nd at 145. Seth Atlanta Junior Golf held two special McAfee of Buford was 3rd at 146. Ashley events last month – the Atlanta Junior Brown of Alpharetta was the gi rls winner at Classic at Atlanta CC and the Atlanta Junior 163, with Emily Haigwood of Roswell 2nd Open at Trophy Club of Atlanta. at 169 and Jakari Harris of Atlanta 3rd Charlie Huntzinger of Duluth won the at 172. 15-18 age group at Atlanta CC, shooting State Parks Junior Tour: In a Georgia 4-under 68 the second day for a 147 total. Junior Tour tournament at Georgia He won in a playoff over Bailey Ulp of Ve te rans in Co rdele, division winners we re: Suwanee, who closed with a 71. S.M. Lee Boys 16-18: Zach Forshee, Tifton, 162; Bailey Tardy Marcus Byrd was 3rd at 148 with Adam Wright of 14-15: Grant Metts, Tifton, 151; 12-13: Marietta 4th at 149. Jackson Toole, Vidalia, and Zac Thornton, JonErik Alford of Roswell was the 12-14 Bristol, 163; Girls 16-18: Samantha Blount, Fienemann of Peachtree City. 145, one ahead of Roswell’s Zack Zwitter winner at 152, with Daniel Fienemann Brunswick, 161. Hannah Barger of Elberton was 2nd in and Augusta’s Joey Lawrence. Michael 2nd at 156 and Jeremy Smith of Roswell Winners at The Creek at Hard Labor in the girls division at 148, two behind the Cheesborough of Augusta was 1st in 3rd at 157. Nicole Latka was the girls Rutledge were: winner. Gracie Henderson of Norcross was 14-15 at 149, shooting 70 in the second winner at 180, just ahead of Lizzie Reedy Boys 16-18: Justin Connelly, 3rd at 150. Hannah Jones of Sandy Springs round. Dougan Annan of Avondale was of Marietta (181), Alejandra Ayala of McDonough, 148; 14-15: Charlie Jarrett, was the 12-14 winner at 168. 3rd at 151. Bradley Plaziak of Alpharetta Alpharetta (183) and Jordyn Sims of Jefferson, 165; 12-13: Bailey Smith, In an SJGT event at Orchard Hills, shot 165 to win the 12-13 age group. Berkeley Lake (184). Buckhead, and Zac Thornton, 159; 10-11: Michaela Owen of Suwanee won the girls Lightfritz was the gi rls winner at 150, fo l- Quinn Murphy of Covington won a Brantley Baker, Leesburg, 165; Girls 16-18: division by six shots with scores of 70-72— lowed by Kayla Wilbourn of Cairo at 152 playoff in boys 15-18 at Trophy Club over Samantha Blount, 170; 12-13: Erin Peters, 142. Annie Swords and Lauren Lightfritz and Abbey Williams of Marietta at 154. Drew Wagner of Atlanta after both players Canton, 171. tied for 3rd at 147. Ivy Shepherd of In Chattanooga, Savannah Satterfield shot 70 the second day for a 149 total. Peachtree City won the 12-14 age group by of Chatsworth was the gi rls 12-14 winner 10, shooting 78-77—155. (85-80—165), with Morgan Reece of David Mackey was the boys overall and Gainesville tying for 3rd in 15-19 at 164. 14-15 age group winner with scores of Tommy Suof Johns Creek shot 73-75—148 69-67—136. Bill Sharpe of Albany was 2nd to win boys 12-13 by three over Dalton’s in 14-15 at 141 and Steffen Smith of Carter Pendley. Jack Warren of Atlanta Norcross 3rd at 142. was 2nd in 14-15 at 149 and Jonathan In the 16-19 age group, Jonathan Martin of Roswell was 4th in 16-19 at 148. Keppler shot 70-69—139 to tie for first, but lost in a playoff. Joseph Jarrard of Pence, Austin win Dahlonega was 3rd at 141, with Andrew Eunice of Moultrie, Shea Sylvester of on Hurricane Tour Roswell and Tye Wallertying for 4th at 142. Dylan Pence of Dacula and Haley Austin Tyler Lipscomb of Carrollton was the of McDonough were the winners of a 12-13 winner in a playoff at 74-68—142 Hurricane Junior Golf Tour event last month over Fienemann (69-73). Cassidy was 3rd at Heron Bay. at 144. Pence shot 73-73—146 and won in a In the annual Peach Blossom Junior at playoff against Barrett Waters of Dallas, Idle Hour in Macon, Lilburn’s Ted Moon who led after an opening 70. Chandler shot 70-71—141 to take the boys 16-19 Avery of Dacula and Brandon Alsobrook division. David Hobby of Valdosta was 2nd tied for 3rd at 147. Daniel Fienemann shot at 143. 142 to placed 2nd in the 11-14 age group, Jack Larkin was the 14-15 winner with one behind the winner. Austin Fulton of scores of 70-78—148. Atlanta’s John Villa Rica was 4th at 144. Gabianelli was 2nd at 151 and Jake Harpe Austin was the gi rls winner at 77-74— of Griffin took 3rd at 152. 151, with Roswell’s Nicole Latka 2nd at Girls winners were Mary Ellen Shuman 159. Ivy Shepherd was 2nd in the 11-14 (15-19) of St. Simons Island and Anna division at 153, two behind the winner, Buchanan (12-14) of Athens, who both Jenny Bae of Lawrenceville tied for 3rd posted 153 totals. Hannah Mae Deems of at 156. Taylorsville was 2nd in 15-19 at 158. In a Hurricane Junior Tour event in In a SJGT event at the Fu rman University Greenwood, S.C., Al ex Markham of Dacula course in Greenville, S.C., Campbell Fisher shot 152 to win the 11-14 division by two. of Alpharetta was the boys 16-19 winner at

2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 27 Chip Shots

Tech’s Reeves takes MATRE ROBERT Public Links qualifier: A qualifier for the Laura Coble of Augusta, 2-up in the quar- U.S. Public Links Championship was played terfinals. Ramsey, one of three players to Southeastern Am recently at Woodmont GC, with two shoot 72, was the 3rd seed, with Alexander Georgians among the three to advance. seeded 4th. Baik was seeded 12th. Duluth’s Seth Reeves, a member of the Mark Buchholz of Cumming, who This was the first time since the tourna- golf team at Georgia Tech, won the 84th was a placekicker in high school at ment began in 1998 that it was not played Southeastern Amateur at Country Club of Chattahoochee and in college at Clemson, at Sunset Hills in Carrollton. Sunset Hills is Columbus, his second victory in the event was 2nd at 8-under 136, with UGA golf now the host of the GSGA Senior Women’s in the past three years. team member Sam Straka of Valdosta 3rd Match Play Championship. Reeves, who will be a senior at Georgia at 139. Straka won a playoff over Kennesaw Tech this Fall, won by three strokes with an State golfer Kelby Burton of Augusta and 11-under 273 total. Reeves trailed Ramsey a winner Georgia Southern golfer Scott Wolfes of Kennesaw State golfer Jimmy Beck, a St. Simons, who are the first and second Columbus resident, by one stroke after 54 in Ohio, Virginia alternates. holes. Reeves shot a final round 67 while Following her win in the GSGA Women’s The U.S. Public Links Championship will Beck closed with a 71. Match Play Championship, Ashlan be played July 15-20 in Virginia. Beck ran into some trouble with four Ramsey won two national amateur tour-

bogeys during the middle of his final round GSGA naments later in June, taking the Western before rallying with three birdies on the last Seth Reeves Ashlan Ramsey Amateur in Dayton and the Eastern seven holes. Reeves took advantage of his Amateur in Williamsburg, Va. opportunity, shooting 4-under 31 on the In the Eastern Amateur, played at current back nine. Engler won the Birmingham National LPGA and former PGA Tout host Kingsmill, Reeves, who also won the tournament in Invitational at Birmingham CC, shooting Ramsey shot 66-70-70—206 to win the 2011, posted scores of 69-71-66-67, while 6-under 207 to finish four stokes ahead of stroke play event by two strokes. Roswell’s Beck led after each of the first three rounds, his closest pursuer Rinko Mitsunaga tied for 5th at 216. shooting 65-72-68 before his final In other recent amateur events: Atlanta’s Ramsey won a third straight event at round 71. Charlie Harrison, who plays on the golf Dayton CC, capturing the grueling Western Ross Thomson of Marietta tied for 3rd at team at Wake Forest, tied for 5th in the Amateur, which consisted of nine rounds of 277, with Georgia signee Greyson Sigg of Monroe Invitational in New York at 1-under golf over six days, including a 36-hole final. Augusta tying for 8th at 283. Parker 212…Georgia Tech’s Bo Andrews was 2nd Ramsey won 7&6 in the title match over Derby of Columbus, also a UGA signee, tied in the Northeast Amateur, shooting a final Ball State golfer Jenna Hague after for 10th at 284 with fellow Columbus round 62 for an 8-under 268 total, two receiving treatment for an arm injury prior resident Cates Culpepper and Georgia behind Alabama’s Cory Whitsett. Ollie to the match. Southwestern golfer Nate Gahman Schniederjans of Powder Springs, Only one of Ramsey’s matches went past of Leesburg. Andrews’ teammate at Tech, was 8th the 16th hole, a 2-up win in the third round. at 276… She shot 141 to tie for 4th in stroke play Bulldogs’ Reach Augusta State’s Maverick Antcliff won qualifying. Emee Herbert of Johns Creek, the Rice Planters event in Mount Pleasant, Ramsey romps who tied for 16th in the Eastern Amateur, grabs Palmetto title S.C., shooting a final round 66 for a 204 also reached match play in the Western, total and taking a playoff that went six to GSGA victory losing in the second round. UGA golfer Nick Reach won the recent holes. Augusta’s Brian Carter, a member of Milledgeville’s Ashlan Ramsey, who will Palmetto Amateur, played at the historic the UGA golf team, was 5th at 208. be a freshman on Clemson’s first women’s Palmetto GC in Aiken, S.C., taking a playoff golf team this Fall, easily won the recent Austin takes title over Scott Strohmeyer, a member of GSGA Women’s Match Play Championship, Alabama’s national championship team. Stevens, Hall, Belk played at the Legends at Chateau Elan. in Top 60 event Both Reach and Strohmeyer finished at Ramsey never went past the 14th hole in Haley Austin of McDonough won the 5-under 205, with Reach winning with a qualify for Sr. Open any of her five matches, winning 7&5 in the GSGA Women’s Top 60 tournament at birdie on the second extra hole after Three Georgians – one of the Georgia finals over Newnan’s Ji Eun Baik, who will Green Island CC in Columbus, shooting Strohmeyer birdied the 18th hole of regula- PGA’s top players and two amateurs – be a freshman on the Mississippi State a final round 67 for an even par 142 total tion to force the playoff. Reach had taken qualified for this month’s U.S. Senior Open. women’s team this Fall. and a two-stroke victory over Mercedes the lead with a birdie at 17. All three competed in a qualifier at the After taking her first two matches 5&4 Huarte of Suwanee. Reach shot 71-66-68, beginning the final Standard Club. and 8&7, Ramsey won 5&4 in the quarterfi- Austin, who will play on the women’s round one behind Strohmeyer, who placed Sharing medalist honors at 68 were nals over Jackie Rajek of Suwanee and golf team at Mercer, trailed by three after 2nd in the tournament for a third time. Craig Stevens, an instructor at Brookstone defeated Roswell’s Jessica Haigwood, an the opening round before shooting the Tying for 5th at 208 were Alpharetta’s CC and the 2012 Georgia PGA Player of the Augusta State signee, 6&5 in the semis. low score of the tournament. Huarte’s 70 Billy Kennerly, a member of the Clemson Year, and amateur Jeff Belk of Marietta. Baik defeated stroke play medalist the second day was the only other golf team, and Duluth’s Mookie DeMoss, Getting the final two spots with scores of Sydney Needham of Villa Rica 6&5 in the under-par score. Reach’s teammate in Athens. Kennerly shot 70 were Jack Hall, an amateur from Sea semifinals after getting past UGA golf team Caitlin Watts of LaGrange, the first 68 in the first and third rounds, and DeMoss Island, and Champions Tour player member Amira Alexander of Alpharetta round leader at 72, placed 3rd at 145, fol- closed with scores of 68 and 69. Mike Hulbert. Al Jernigan of Gray is the 4&3 in the quarters. lowed by Eunice Yi of Evans at 147. Emee Reeves tied for 13th at 212 with Georgia first alternate. Needham, who shot 72 in qualifying, Herbert was 5th at 148, with Ji Eun Baik Southern golfer Henry Mabbett of Griffin. The U.S. Senior Open will be played July knocked out 9-time tournament champion and Sydney Needham T6 at 149. Engler a winner: Augusta’s John 11-14 in Omaha.

28 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM JULY 2013 Schniederjans second Mason edges Smith in Senior Division to Johnson in Dogwood Champions Tour player James Mason of

eorgia Tech golfer Ollie (Kennesaw State) and Joey Garber TECH GEORGIA Dillard won last month’s Georgia PGA Schniederjans shot a 63 in (UGA) tying for 10th at 278. Senior Division tournament at Bent Tree in the opening round of the Tying for 15th at 279 were Duluth’s Jasper, edging host pro Russell Smith by Dogwood Invitational and Seth Reeves (Georgia Tech), Alpharetta’s one shot. tookG the lead at the midway point of the Billy Kennerly (Clemson) and Keith Mason shot 67-68—135, 9-under on the tournament at 12-under 132. Mitchell (UGA). Bent Tree layout. Smith shared the first He followed with scores of 67 and 68 Johnson played the first six holes at round lead with Mason at 67, following to finish at 21-under 267 at Druid Druid Hills in even par all four days, but with a 69. Sonny Skinner was 3rd at 140, Hills GC. tore up the last 12 throughout the tour- with Rusty Strawn low amateur and 4th Unfortunately for Schniederjans, nament. He had eight birdies the final 12 overall at 143 after opening with a 68. Local Auburn’s Michael Johnson shot 63-64 holes in the opening round, was 9-under amateur Ron Hunter was 5th at 146, with the final two days to finish at 28-under on the last 12 with two eagles to take the Brookstone CC instructor Craig Stevens 260, seven ahead of the Yellow lead after the third round, and went 6th at 148. Jackets’ standout, who had to settle for 6-under on a 6-hole stretch the final day ERI PGA GEORGIA second place. beginning at the par-5 seventh to pull Johnson’s score was a tournament away from Schniederjans. record. He opened with a 64 to trail His only stumble during the tourna- North Carolina high school golfer Ben ment came on holes 16 and 17 in the Griffin by three shots, and followed with second round (his 7th and 8th of the a 69 to take 2nd after 36 holes, one day), when he went double bogey-bogey. behind Schniederjans. His third round But he held on for a 69 to stay one back 63 gave him a 3-shot advantage heading of Schniederjans at the end of the day. Ollie Schniederjans to the final round. For the week, Johnson was 18-under Griffin wound up 3rd at 16-under on Druid Hills’ par 5s, with three eagles, 272, with Georgia State golfer Davin 12 birdies and just one par. He was also 9th hole of the third round, but trailed White of Locust Grove 4th at 273 that a combined 7-under on holes 11 and 12 by three by the end of the day, as he shot included an opening round of 64. – both par 4s, carding birdies on the 33 on the back nine to Johnson’s 30. Michael Garretson of Acworth, who 12th each round. An eagle on the 7th hole the final day plays at South Alabama, was 7th at 275, Schniederjans, who played his high opened Johnson’s lead to four, and with Woodstock’s Anders Albertson school golf at Harrison in west Cobb, became seven after his run of four (Georgia Tech), Milton’s Zack Jaworski carded 24 birdies during the tournament straight birdies beginning at the 9th. (Vanderbilt), Jimmy Beck of Columbus and only three bogeys. He led until the

Craig Stevens Fayetteville resident Wade Holland. Greyling and Binfield were tied going to Krywulycz wins In the annual Red Dobbins tournament Binfield, who earned $2,800 for his vic- the 18th, but Greyling eagled the par-5 and at Mystery Valley, Robert Burk of Stone tory, shot 64-67 to edge out Holland, who Binfield made bogey to drop into a tie for eGolf event by 8 Creek in Valdosta shot 70-68 to win by two carded 16 birdies in 36 holes with scores of 2nd at 201 with Canton’s Blake Stark, who Recent Augusta State golfer Mitch shots over Orchard Hills’ Wyatt Detmer 64-69. Binfield had 15 birdies over two shot a final round 61. Stark was 7-under Krywulycz won an eGolf Tour tournament with a 6-under 138 total. Detmer was days. Robbie Biershenk was 3rd at 134, after seven holes on the day, scoring an at Sedgefield CC in Greensboro, N.C., by 2nd at 140, followed by Danny Elins of with Denny Lucas of Williamson one of eagle on the short, par-4 fourth. eight strokes with a 12-under 198 total to Georgia Golf Center at 141 and Mike three players tying for 4th at 137. After carding 16 birdies and an eagle earn $15,000. Krywulycz posted scores of Schlueter at 143. Lucas won the following week at over the first two rounds, Greyling was 67-65-66. Allern Peake and Chris Hall shared low Summer Grove in a playoff over Andrew even par the final day after 14 holes, but In an eGolf event in Virginia, recent amateur honors at 144, followed by Matt Georgiou of Columbus, with both tying at played his last four in 3-under to break a tie Georgia Tech standout James White of O'Brien and Scotty Scott at 145. Scott shot 5-under 139. Lucas, who earned $2,100 for with Binfield. Greyling earned $3,600 with Acworth was 6th at 9-under 207, with ex- 68 in the second round. his victory, birdied four of his last seven his victory. Former Georgia Tech golfer Kyle holes for a second round 68 to catch Scott of Decatur was 4th at 205. Scott also UGA golfer Adam Mitchell of Atlanta tying Georgiou, who led by four after an opening tied for 4th at Summer Grove. for 7th at 209. Binfield captures 65. Binfield shot 69-71—140 to take 3rd. Sam Bedwell won a Peach State tourna- Taylor Floyd of Forsyth, Krywulycz’s Former Georgia Bulldog golfer Christo ment at Bradshaw Farm at 5-under 139, teammate at Augusta State, tied for 7th in Peach State title Greyling won a 54-hole Peach State one shot ahead of Brett Munson of Evans, an eGolf Tour stop in Morganton, N.C., at Fayetteville’s Wade Binfield won a Tour event at Trophy Club of Atlanta, Brandon Holtz and Lucas. Binfield was 5th 9-under 201. White tied for 9th at 202. Hopkins Golf Peach State Tour event posting scores of 64-65-69 for an 18-under at 141. First place was worth $3,000. last month at Planterra Ridge, shooting 198 total. 13-under 131 to finish two ahead of fellow

2013 JULY GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 29 Course Reviews

Monroe Golf & CC (Semi-Private) 1212 Alcovy St., Monroe; 770-267-8424; www.monroegcc.com STAFF: Keith Tanner is the PGA Director of Golf; Steve Long is the General Manager/Superintendent PAR/YARDAGE: Monroe G&CC is a par 72 with four sets of tees – Blue (6400 yards), White (6027), Gold (5484) and Red (4955). TopTToop ReasonsRReeasons toto Join the TourTToour COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 70.4/126 (Blue); 68.6/120 (White); 66.0/114 (Gold);
PlayPlay grgreateat ccoursesourses such as EEastast LakLakee GC, TPC SugarSugarloafloaf 67.9/116 (Red). & SeaSea IslandIsland GC ABOUT THE COURSE: A long-time favorite between Athens and Atlanta, Monroe G&CC
MembershipMembership BBenefitsenefits PackagesPackages has been around since the late 1950s, and hosts the Monroe Classic, an annual four-ball
EconomicallyEconomically prpricediced & close toto home tournament that has been one of the state’s most popular events for years. Elite will serve
MostMost competitivecompetitive & professionallyproffeessionally runrun junior programprogram in GeorgiaGeorgia as the title sponsor for this month’s event (July 19-21). The course has passed the test of
AJGA PBE exemptedexempted eventsevents & all 36-hole time despite its seemingly out-of-date yardage totals. Monroe G&CC measures just 6400 tournamentstournaments areare JGS rankedranked yards from the back tees and barely over 6000 from the whites, but for those who stray off
Fun,Fun,, lifetimeliffeetime relationship relationship building eventsevents The SeasonSeason the tee or struggle with the putter, it poses more of a challenge than its modest Course
Expanded summer serseriesies schedule Rating/Slope numbers. With some exceptions, the mostly tree-lined layout is on the tight hasas started!sttaartteed! side, with out of bounds within reach on a number of holes. The other primary challenge
GraduateGraduate divisionon fofforor ages 19-21 SoSo RegisterRegister is the bent grass putting surfaces, which have decent amounts of slope and can get quite speedy for tournament play. The greens allow for some testy pin positions, both in terms Now!Now! of getting to them on approach shots and holing putts once you reach them. Because of the absence of length, you will be hitting a number of short irons, with seven par 4s 370 or 20132013 TourTToouour Schedule shorter from the blue tees and just one (the tour length 450-yard 6th) over 405. The par 5s MAR 9-10 JuniorJunior PineyPiney WWoodsoods @ GlenGlen ArvenArven CC,CC, ThomasvilleThomasville are also on the short side, averaging right at 500 yards from the tips without serious MAR 23-24 CountryCountry CClublub of CColumbus,olumbus, CColumbusolumbus amounts of trouble, but as with the par 4s, you need to hit it straight to produce scoring APR 1-2 NorthNorth GGeorgiaeorgia High SchoolSchool GolfGolf Classic,Classic, AchastaAchasta GolfGolf Club,Clubb,, DDahlonega*ahlonega* APR 20-21 O Oglethorpeglethorpe JuniorJunior InvitationalInvitational @ WWilmingtonilmington IIslandsland CClub,lub, SSavannahavannah opportunities. Although there are no serious elevation changes, there is a decent amount JUN 3-4 GA PGA JuniorJunior ChampionshipChampionship @ GolfGolf ClubClub atat Cuscowilla,Cuscowilla,, EatontonEatonton of roll from many tees to greens, with a number of the approach shots slightly uphill. There JUN 26-27 StoneStone MMountainountain GolfGolf Club,Club, StoneStone MMountainountain are not a large number of hazards in play and the bunkering is modest, making it an excel- JUL 8-9 U Universityniversity of GGeorgiaeorgia GGolfolf CCourse,ourse, AAthensthens lent venue for higher handicappers or those who can still play, but just don’t hit it as far as A AUGUG 5-6 G Governorsovernors TowneTToowne Club,Club, AcworthAcworth A AUGUG 17-18 CallawayCallaway GGardensardens RResort,esort, PinePine MMountainountain they used to. Course conditions are excellent, with the friendly staff doing a nice job of bal- SEPT 7-8 S Savannahavannah QuartersQuarters CountryCountry CClub,lub, PPoolerooler ancing the needs of its membership and daily fee visitors. SEPT 21-22 TheThe GeorgiaGeorgia Club,Club, StathamStatham OctOct 12-13 ChattahoocheeChattahoochee GGolfolf CCourse,ourse, GGainesvilleainesville NOV 2-3 CoosaCoosa CountryCountry CClub,lubb,, RRomeome Country Club of Roswell (Private) DEC 14-15 JuniorJunior TourTToour Championship, Championship, SeaSea IslandIsland GC, St.St.. SSimonsimons IslandIsland 2500 Club Springs Drive, Roswell; 770-475-7800; www.ccroswell.com Summer Series (18-Hole) STAFF: Tim Farrell is the PGA Golf Professional; Jackie Cannizzo is the JUN TBATBA PGA Director of Instruction JUL 11 TPC @ SugarSugarloaf,loafaff,, DuluthDuluth PAR/YARDAGE: CC of Roswell is a par 71 with three sets of tees: Blue (6593 yards); JUL 16 AnsleyAnsley GGolfolf CClublub SSettindownettindown CCreek,reek, RRoswelloswell White (6068) and Red (5151). There are also two combination tees and two shorter sets. JUL 23 EastEast LakeLake GolfGolf Club,Club, AtlantaAtlanta *Boys*Booyys only eventevent COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 72.4/136 (Blue); 70.3/131 (White); 71.3/128 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: The host venue for this month’s Judson Collegiate & Legends Pro- Am Challenge, CC of Roswell sports one of the shortest layouts among metro Atlanta’s wealth of quality private courses, but also one of the most enjoyable. The course is among the tightest in the metro area, with tree lines and out of bounds a frequent presence off the tee. Because of the narrow corridors and absence of serious length, longer hitters can keep the driver in the bag on a number of holes, but keeping it in the fairway can still be a challenge with a shorter club. Only two par 4s measure longer than 400 yards from the back tees, and one of them plays sharply downhill. However, the first and 10th holes are the only par 4s that can be considered short, with the 10th one of about half the holes where a hazard is seriously in play. Carries are required either from the tee or ao the approach on most of those holes, including the short but perilous 10th and its peninsula green. The back nine has a series of hazardous holes, including two par 4s with intimi- dating tee shots (12 and 17), a short, scenic par 3 (16) and an inviting par-5 finishing hole with water lining the right side on the second shot and extending behind the green. The front nine includes a dangerous par 4 with hazards in play off the tee and on the approach (4) and a visually appealing but demanding downhill par 5 with an angled creek short of ToTo sign up & getgget ththee ddetails,eetttaails, visit us onlineon the green that requires some thought and precision to negotiate (6). The greens com- plexes are also among the primary concerns, requiring a deft touch to deal with the gegeorgiapga.comorrggiapga.com moderately undulating putting surfaces and a quality short game to handle some of the Or contaccontactt SScottcott GordonGordon at 678-461-8600 or [email protected]@pgahq.com. inevitable short-sided misses you’ll encounter. The course is in excellent shape from tee to green, with the club known for its family-oriented nature and thriving junior program.

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