GEORGIAPGA.COM GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM «« AUGUST 2013 Mystery Valley still an Atlanta favorite Popular DeKalb course ‘in best shape ever’
By Mike Blum sections that made putting from one side to the other an adventure. he landscape of daily fee But those days are in the past, and a golf in metro Atlanta has newly installed irrigation system has changed dramatically over helped Mystery Valley achieve the best T the past two decades, but course conditions at the DeKalb County there are still a few courses left whose facility in many, many years. history extends beyond the arrival of “Everybody who has played here has the internet. told us we’re in the best shape ever,” says Mystery Valley Golf Club opened John Crumbley, Mystery Valley’s General for play in the mid 1960s, when the Manager and PGA Director of Golf. options for Atlanta’s public course “We have grass from tree line to tree line golfers were limited. and this is a big golf course. We have Almost a half century later, there are more square yardage of grass than most far more courses now available to anybody in the city,” Mystery Valley’s quality layout features large Atlanta’s daily fee players, but Mystery Mystery Valley’s bent grass greens are putting surfaces with mostly subtle breaks Valley has stood the test of time and also in excellent condition, giving the remains among the most popular facil- club’s loyal regulars even more reason ities in the metro area. to make frequent visits to the Mystery Valley has retained its course, which is located in east DeKalb Savannah, where GCL is based. standing as one of Atlanta’s busiest County a few miles south of Stone Among Mystery Valley’s most obvious Jekyll Island, and the original daily fee courses, even through the Mountain Park. assets is its traditional Dick Wilson Canongate, on which he collaborated stretches when its conditioning was DeKalb County owns the course, design. Wilson was the golf course archi- with design partner Joe Lee. not exactly at optimal levels. which is managed by GCL of Savannah, tect for iconic layouts such as Doral’s Mystery Valley was the last course The course, which was tagged with which also operates Collins Hill Blue Monster, Bay Hill, Cog Hill, Wilson designed before his death, and is the unflattering nickname of “Misery in Gwinnett, like Mystery Valley a LaCosta and Laurel Valley. His Georgia an understated, traditional layout with Valley” by some of its regulars, was municipal facility, the excellent Sapelo designs include the Mountain View plenty of movement on a majority of known for its hardpan lies and greens Hammock course near the Georgia coast course at Callaway Gardens, the divided between Summer and Winter and Mary Calder, a 9-hole facility in Oleander and Pine Lakes courses at [ See Mystery Valley page 6 ]
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2013 AUGUST 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 Better Chipping – Hands Down Golf Media, Inc. / John Barrett EDITOR Mike Blum By Bobby Hix you put alignment sticks on the ground, ability to do that on a consistent basis. And WEBSITE/ FACEBOOK/ SOCIAL MEDIA PGA Director of Instruction you will notice that when square, the club- one thing you can be sure of is the best HYPDMedia, Inc. / Ellen Marsau Arnold Blum Golf Learning Center face is perpendicular to the target line. See players are the ones who keep the clubface SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICE & CONTENT at Idle Hour Club figure u. square the longest. Alli Hunt / Ellen Marsau JUNIOR/COLLEGE GOLF NEWS COORDINATOR Now, when we swing the When taken back correctly, the palm of Lauren Freeman Or to be more specific, hand club, either on a chip or a full the back or bottom hand of the student is SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR down. Now I will explain. swing, we swing the club on facing down. This allows the clubface to Abby Bergquist In order to be our best at chip- plane, not on the target line. remain in a square to plane position on the MARKETING & ADVERTISING ping, we have to be able to The plane is angled and the backswing. This position in turn should National Sales: Ed Bowen/Bowen Group, return the clubface to the target line is straight. That remain as the club is swung into the impact [email protected] Local & Corporate Sale: John Barrett/Rick Holt, impact position the same way being said, the clubface position as well. This palm down position [email protected] each time. Of course this should remain square to the promotes forward shaft lean and provides a ART DIRECTOR Lori Montgomery holds true no matter if we are plane line during the take- consistent angle of attack time after time, CREATIVE SERVICES Catalina Montana chipping or making full swings. When we away as well as during the downswing until giving us the consistency we desire to hit CONTRIBUTORS can return the club consistently back to the after impact. See figure v. This will insure great chips and pitches. See figure w. Bobby Hix • Robert Matre • Steve Dinberg ball, we can then control the distance, that the clubface returns to the ball with The biggest mistake we see on a day to • Ed C. Thompson Photography direction, flight and roll of the ball just by the same loft each time. day basis is the deadly “flip” at the ball. GEORGIA SECTION, how far we swing our arms. So many of us have been taught over the Playing palm down will help any player PGA OF AMERICA OFFICERS There are many variations of chip shots years to point the toe of the clubface up to who fights this because as long as the back President but it is important to master the standard the sky during the takeaway. The toe of the or bottom hand palm faces down, it can Brian Stubbs, PGA / [email protected] chip as you can use it, sometimes with dif- club does eventually point up but it is due never pass under the front or top hand, Vice President Mark Mongell, PGA / [email protected] x ferent clubs, probably 85% of the time. So to the folding of the rear elbow, not by which is what a “flip” is. See figure . Secretary the chip we are talking about here is the rotating our hands. When we rotate our You can chip better, hand down! Brian Albertson, PGA / [email protected] standard, straight ahead chip. hands, we open the clubface. When we Honorary President First of all we want to begin with a open the clubface, we must return it to (Bobby Hix can be reached at Patrick Richardson, PGA / [email protected]
square clubface, a clubface that is aimed square before the club gets back to the ball 478-477-8777 or at bhix&ihcgolf.com). CHAPTER PRESIDENTS toward where you want the ball to land. If and there are not many of us that have the Central Chapter President Mike Baker, PGA, [email protected] East Chapter President Josh Williams, PGA / [email protected] North Chapter President 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] uvwx 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] TKFricke takes Georgia Open ...... 8 First post-season for Web.com Chip shots ...... 28 Executive Director Mike Paull GPGA Match Play reaches semis . . 10 Tour ...... 20 Assistant Executive Director/ Golf FORE Juniors ...... 29 Junior Golf Director Scott Gordon Section Championship at Retreat. . 10 Valdosta winner Wilcox shoots 59 Tournament Director Pat Day, PGA Wagoner wins at Berkeley Hills ...... 22 Operations Manager Eric Wagner Forecast ...... 12 Shirley scores 3rd Women’s Section Assistant Carrie Ann Byrne Open title ...... 26 Beck captures Georgia Amateur . . . 14 FOREGeorgia is produced by Golf Media, Inc. Big names top FedExCup Dibos repeats LPGA Legends Copyright ©2013 with all rights reserved. standings ...... 16 victory ...... 27 Reproduction or use, without permission, Georgians in line for Playoffs of editorial or graphic content is prohibited. Georgia PGA web site: www.georgiapga.com. berths ...... 18 TK 4 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 5 flank both putting surfaces, which like most on the course are on the expansive side with modest amounts of roll. Mystery Valley’s putting surfaces are more subtle than undulating, with their size more of a concern with a few exceptions. Among the par 4s on the incoming nine is the closest thing Mystery Valley has to a signature hole. At 408 from the blues and 381 from the accommodate approach shots coming whites, the 14th lacks for from a lower angle. serious length, but a pond just off the Only one of the par 3s has anything right side of a narrow fairway puts a Tree-lined fairways and slightly approaching serious length, with the major premium on accuracy, with trees elevated greens are part of 11th a healthy 216/189 but with no tight to the left. A fairly lengthy Mystery Valley's challenge major concerns otherwise. The slightly approach will often leave sizeable puts on uphill second sports a sizeable putting another expansive green, which would Mystery Valley surface with plenty of back to front slope challenge the third for three-putts [ Continued from the cover ] that makes uphill putts a real challenge if more people hit it with their The par 5s offer scoring opportunities, to get to the hole and results in some second shots. holes between tee and green but no with only one of the four longer than extremely touchy downhillers. If a list of The dogleg left 12th also requires some severe elevation changes. 525 yards, and the reachable 10th holes that produce the most three-putts precision off the tee, with front greenside There are almost no holes at Mystery just 488 from the tips and 460 from (or more) on Atlanta courses was com- bunkers among the most frequently vis- Valley that don’t feature rolling terrain, the whites. piled, No. 2 at Mystery Valley would ited on the course. One of the tougher and you can expect to encounter some Mystery Valley opens with a dogleg definitely be on it. approach shots is found on the down- sidehill lies along the way. With an excep- left par 5, with the hole 520 from the Both 4 and 15 appear unthreatening and-up 17th, among the few holes where tion or two, Wilson’s back tees and 506 from the from the tee, and barring a serious miss- you have to carry bunkers at the front to well-crafted layout offers whites. The hole plays hit, offer excellent chances for par or reach the putting surface. ample amounts of fairway, slightly uphill with a wide better, with length not a concern on Crumbley and his staff have continued although there a few holes fairway, but the trees either. The slightly longer fourth pro- the standard set by former head pro Dave where longer hitters will down the left get plenty vides a comfortable spot to the miss the Ayers of making Mystery Valley one of choose to leave their driver of unwanted visitors. A green to the right, avoiding bunkers the area’s friendliest facilities, as well as in the bag. pair of bunkers pinch the short and left. the club’s strong orientation toward jun- The tree lines bor- front opening to the Mystery Valley’s par 4s provide most of iors. The club is also actively involved in dering the fairways are green, with the uphill its challenge, with two solid holes to con- the “Get Golf Ready” program for those typically thin and allow for nature of the approach shot clude both nines and two other holes on new to the game. recovery shots, with fairway making it a little tougher than the incoming nine where accuracy off the Because the course is compact and not bunkers pretty much non-existent and you’d expect to reach the pin positions. tee is at more of a premium. part of a development, Mystery Valley is water hazards at a minimum and not a The rolling, mostly downhill seventh The first par 4 you’ll face is also the one of the most walker-friendly layouts serious factor other than the tee shot on and sweeping dogleg left 10th are the shortest, with the 331-yard third begin- in metro Atlanta despite its relatively the 14th, the No. 1 handicap hole. most vulnerable of the par 5s, although ning with a downhill tee shot with a hilly nature, with its green fees making it With the fairways on the generous neither respond well to tee shots with a pond looming to the left of a fairly one of the metro area’s best values. side, Mystery Valley is more of a second little too much hook on them. Like the narrow fairway. The uphill second to a Both the men’s and women’s golf asso- shot course, with Wilson protecting the other two par 5s, both holes feature green that opens up at the back is par- ciations feature active schedules, with the mostly large putting surfaces with uphill approach shots, but both can be tially hidden behind a front right bunker, course hosting its top annual event later bunkers primarily along the edges, but reached in two, although it will require with a hill left of the putting surface this month – the DeKalb Cup 4-Ball occasionally requiring carries to reach either a well-placed tee shot down the sloping toward the water, which is in event. The tournament, which will be pin positions. right side of the 10th or a pronounced reach if the rough is cut low. played for the 46th time, is scheduled for Mystery Valley is neither long nor draw to get around the trees. Other than 5 and 13, a pair of Aug. 31-Sept. 1, and annually features a penal, measuring just 6766 yards from There isn’t much in the way of trouble straightaway holes in the 380-yard range, top field of local and state amateurs. the tips with a modest Course on the seventh, but there are some sharp the remainder of the par 4s offer various Proceeds from the event benefit the Rating/Slope of 71.7/125. The white drop-offs around the green at the 10th, challenges. The uphill sixth is your basic club’s junior program, with the flighted tees are 6329 yards (70.6/122) with the with a deft touch required to get it close grip it and rip it hole, with a generous tournament including divisions for golds 5928 (69.2/118). There are two to the hole on the elevated green. fairway and a long green that requires women and super seniors (age 65 sets of forward tees measuring around The longest of the four par 5s is the some effort to get to back pins. and over). 5500 and 4900 yards. 14th (556/535), which includes a The downhill eighth and down-and- While Mystery Valley is not an overly fairway with a pronounced left to right up ninth both reward longer hitters For information on Mystery Valley and demanding course in any aspect, it is far tilt and a more seriously uphill approach with friendly sloping fairways, with the DeKalb Cup, call 770-469-6913 or from a pushover, with only a few holes than the other three. The drop-off here is the eighth one of the few holes with visit www.mysteryvalley.com. that can be considered relative breathers. to the right, with the long green able to a bunker in range off the tee. Bunkers
6 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 7 Fricke repeats at Georgia Open champion
Pulls away in final 2 rounds to win by 7 MGSCUTS FGOGAPGA GEORGIA OF COURTESY IMAGES
By Mike Blum enjoyed most of his success on the North par-5 fifth after he started 3-over Carolina-based Tar Heel (now eGolf) after three holes. He made a run he Legends at Chateau Elan Tour, and played two seasons on the at solo 2nd with six birdies in a hosted the Georgia Open for Nationwide (now Web.com) Tour in 7-hole stretch beginning at the a second straight year, and 2008-09. 9th. Witcher, who played on the once again proved to be a Prior to his victory at The Legends, Web.com Tour last year, shot a demandingT test for the field of mini-tour Fricke’s best showing of 2013 was a tie final round 69, including birdies pros, club professionals for 3rd in an eGolf event at 16 and 17 to get into the tie and amateurs, with one in High Point, N.C. He for 2nd. notable exception. has played in a number Wolfe moved into 2nd with a Jonathan Fricke of Monday qualifiers for third round 69, but five bogeys the defended his 2012 title Web.com events, final day offset four birdies, with with an impressive four- coming close to playing his bogey at the 18th enabling day performance, joining a his way into several tour- Mitchell and Witcher to tie him. group that includes a trio of players who naments, including a recent one in The three runners-up took home won the event while playing on the PGA Utah when a 66 wasn’t good enough to Jonathan Fricke $3,167 each. Fricke’s winner’s check Tour in the 1970s and ‘80s. earn one of 12 qualifying spots. was $7,500. Fricke scored a narrow victory last Fricke will go through Q-school Former Georgia Tech golfer year, winning by just one shot over Matt again later this year, even though it will Kyle Scott of Decatur and Duluth’s Nagy. He repeated as champion of the only qualify players for the Web.com Fricke cited his lag putting as a key to Eddie Lee tied for 5th at 285. Scott shot Tilted Kilt Georgia Open in consider- Tour in 2014. He made it to the finals in his final round 69, with only one slip, a 69-68 the second and third rounds to get ably more convincing fashion, finishing 2007, earning his Nationwide Tour spot three-putt on the sixth. Fricke hit it close into the final group in the fourth round, seven shots ahead a trio of players, all for 2008, and hopes to repeat that effort for birdies on holes 2 and 4, and reached but struggled to hit fairways and settled mini-tour pros, as is Fricke. this Fall. a pair of par 5s (10 and 14) in two for his for a 73. It was the second straight strong After posting a 5-under 283 total last Four strong rounds at The Legends, other birdies, rarely having to deal with showing in the tournament for Lee, who year. Fricke was 11-under for 72 holes in which hosted the Georgia Open for the testy par putts. was 3rd last year. Wolfe tied for 8th his title defense, taking the outright lead fifth time since 2002, gave Fricke a con- Winning the Georgia Open “is an last year. in the third round and pulling away the fidence boost he hopes will carry over to absolute honor,” Fricke said. “I look at Jay McLuen of Forsyth, the 2011 final day. upcoming tournaments. that trophy and see all the great names champion, shot a final round 69 to tie The top 10 finishers are all tour pros, “That was a lot of good stuff, a lot of on it. To win it two times in a row is for 8th with Cochran’s Joe Young, who with Tim Weinhart the low finisher positives,” Fricke said of his play pretty awesome.” tied for 5th last year. McLuen was 6th in among the Georgia PGA competitors, throughout the tournament. Previous back-to-back winners include 2012. Recent Kennesaw State standout placing 11th at 294. Tyler Mitchell of “I set some goals this week, and one of DeWitt Weaver (1972-73), Tim Nagy was 10th at 289 after his 2nd place Chatsworth was low amateur, tying for them was to execute each shot the best I Simpson (1980-81), Gene Sauers showing last year. 14th at 296. could. For four days I did that, even on (1985-86) and Stephen Keppler Weinhart, who won the Georgia Open The first two rounds belonged to the back nine today (with a big lead). I’m (1994-95), with Dicky Thompson at The Legends in 2004, edged Sonny Fricke and Matt Hughes, who led Fricke proud of that.” (1998-99) the most recent player to Skinner by one shot to take first place by one after an opening 68. Fricke Fricke was three ahead of Warner accomplish the feat. points among the Georgia PGA followed with a second straight 69 to Robins’ Chris Wolfe, a former Fricke had just five bogeys in 72 holes, members. Weinhart, an instructor tie Hughes at 138 after 36 holes. A Armstrong Atlantic golfer who plays on none in his opening 69. Hughes, a with the Nuclear Golf program based at third round 70 gave Fricke a 3-shot the NGA (formerly Hooters) Tour. Dalton resident who played his college the Standard Club, shot around par advantage going to the final round, and When Fricke birdied the second hole and golf at Alabama, did not make a bogey in in each round, but did not break 72 in he was one of just four players to shoot Wolfe bogeyed, the lead was five, and no either of his first two rounds, but fell five the tournament. in the 60s, closing with a 69 to win one got closer than that all day. behind Fricke when he shot 3-over on Skinner had the club pro lead before a going away. “I focused on what I could control the back nine in the third round. He was final round 76 dropped him into a tie for Fricke, a Snellville native who lives in and that really helped all four days,” 4-over after five holes the final day before 12th at 293 with 2010 Georgia Open Covington, has been a familiar figure on Fricke said. birdies at 14, 15 and 16 gave him a 73 champion Samuel Del Val. the Georgia golf scene for the past Of his game, Fricke said “everything and 7th place at 286. Tying low amateur Tyler Mitchell for decade. He contended in the Georgia was working. I drove the ball beautifully. Tying for 2nd with Wolfe at 284 were 13th at 294 was 2012 Big Break Amateur in 2002 while a member of the Yesterday, I did not hit my irons that Atlanta’s Jordan Mitchell and Brett Greenbrier winner Mark Silvers of Georgia State golf team, and has played well, but I had some incredible up Witcher. Mitchell’s 68 was low the final Savannah, who has made two recent professionally since 2004. He has and downs.” round and included an eagle on the PGA Tour appearances. Brookstone instructor Craig Stevens was 3rd among the club pros and tied for 16th at 295. Stevens was among the “To win it (the Georgia Open) two times leaders after 36 holes, shooting a second round 69 for a 143 total, but closed with is pretty awesome” —Jonathan Fricke scores of 77-75.
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 9 East Lake to host GPGA Match Play semifinals
Craig Stevens Seth McCain of Jennings Mill after get- Top seed Stevens ting past Matt Watkins and Billy Jack in his two prior matches. to face Murchison Stevens was the 2012 Georgia PGA Player of the Year, and has been playing well in both Section and senior events since turning 50 a few years ago, winning he Georgia PGA’s Match Play No. 2 seed Sonny one of the Section’s top two senior events Championship concludes this Skinner was eliminated every year since 2011 and repeatedly month at historic East Lake on a coin flip, while contending in non-senior Georgia PGA Golf Club, with the semifi- No. 3 David Potts lost championships. nalsT and finals scheduled for August 13. in a more conventional Murchison, an assistant at Towne Lake While things went pretty much to method, being upset in Hills who has limited status this year on form in the top half of the bracket, play the second round. Other the Web.com Tour, defeated Georgia in the bottom half was marked by several top-10 seeds went out Golf Center’s Danny Elkins 3&1 to upsets, with players seeded 22nd and early in the tournament, earn his shot at Stevens in the semis. 26th reaching the finals. especially in the lower Elkins, seeded 12th, scored one of the Top-seeded Craig Stevens also made it bracket. tournament upsets in the third round, to the semifinals, and will face No. 4 Bill The first four rounds GEORGIA PGA knocking out No. 5 seed Brian Dixon of Murchison in one match. The other of the tournament were Fox Creek 1-up. semifinal will be between No. 22 Donn played at sites around After easily winning his first match Perno and No. 26 Sung Back. the state on courses mutually 8&6, Murchison had to go 19 holes to A variety of factors eliminated some of agreed to by the competing players. The two met again in the finals last get past Justin Jolly of Tunnel Hill GC the Section’s top players, a few of whom Stevens, an instructor at Brookstone year at the UGA course, with Weinhart in the second round. Murchison then were left out of the tournament when the CC, went 15 years between his first two reversing the result from 12 years earlier. drew Currahee Director of Golf Clark field filled up prior to the entry deadline. Match Play titles, and is looking for a Stevens also lost in the 2002 finals to Spratlin, who won the tournament three Three-time tournament champion Tim third win 13 years after scoring his Clark Spratlin and made it to the semi- times between 2001 and ’04, and scored Weinhart, who won the event the last second victory. Stevens last won in 2000, finals in ’03 and ’06. an impressive 5&4 victory. Spratlin won two years, was among those unable to defeating Weinhart in the title match at Stevens reached the semis with a 4&3 play along with former winner Greg Lee. Sea Island GC. victory in the quarterfinals over No. 8 [ See Match Play, page 13] Section Championship back at Sea Island’s Retreat course
he Georgia PGA makes its All three players have histories of Weinhart’s win in 2005 capped a 4-year annual late Summer visit to contending in the event, with Keppler stretch in which he placed 4th or better in St. Simons Island for the coming close repeatedly to a fourth the championship, beginning with a T Georgia PGA Championship, Section Championship title after win- playoff loss in 2002. After four years out- which will be played Aug. 26-28 at Sea ning three times between 1990 side the top five, he has placed 2nd, 3rd Island Golf Club’s Retreat course. and ’96. and 4th the last three years, including a Sea Island GC has been the long time Keppler, the Director of Golf at runner-up finish behind Stevens at host for the event, with its three courses Marietta CC, has been a consistent con- Retreat in 2010. alternating in recent years as the tourna- tender in the Section Championship since Retreat, originally designed by Joe Lee, ment site. Seaside and Retreat have been 2005, finishing no lower than 3rd each of was extensively renovated in 2000 by St.
the primary courses, with Retreat hosting the last eight years. He was 2nd four PGA GEORGIA Simons resident Davis Love III and his the event for the fifth time in the last straight times from 2005-08, and 3rd in Stephen Keppler design group. The course was length- 10 years. ’09 and 2010 before capturing his fourth ened, and can now be stretched to 7100 The tournament, which is sponsored by tournament title in 2011. He was 2nd yards. Love added width to the fairways E-Z-GO and ExecGolf, has been very behind Skinner last year. shot behind Keppler in ’94 and one and made significant changes to the greens friendly in recent years to the Georgia Skinner made his first appearance in the behind Skinner in ’09. complexes, adding more undulation to the PGA’s talented contingent of players who Section Championship in 2006, taking Prior to Skinner’s win last year, the tour- mostly expansive putting surfaces. are now in their early 50s. 3rd at Retreat behind Greg Lee, with nament had nine different champions the The last four times the tournament was Sonny Skinner, Craig Stevens and Keppler placing 2nd. Since ’08, Skinner previous nine years since Chan Reeves played at Retreat, the winning score was Stephen Keppler have won the Section has been outside the top five just once, claimed back-to-back titles in 2002 between 7 and 9-under, with Stevens fin- Championship the last four times it has winning a rain-delayed event at Retreat in and ’03. ishing at 8-under 208 in 2010 and Skinner been held, with Skinner winning in 2009 ’09 and edging Keppler by a shot last year. Clark Spratlin, Matt Peterson, Greg posting a 7-under 137 total in 2009, when at Retreat and last year at the Plantation Stevens scored his first Section Lee, Tim Weinhart and former Georgia weather limited the event to 36 holes. course. Stevens won in 2010, the last time Championship victory in 2001, waiting PGA member Jeff Hull all won the The tournament is sponsored by Retreat was the host course, with Keppler nine years to become a multiple cham- Section Championship once during that TaylorMade-adidas Golf-Ashworth and winning the event for the first time in 15 pion. He also has four runner-up finishes stretch, with Lee and Hull both taking the PGA Tour. years in 2011. ranging from 1994 to 2009, finishing one their titles on Retreat.
10 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 ***)('&%$#"'!!# ) #! )) ! ) ( '
2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 11 Late surge lifts Wagoner to Berkeley Hills win Koch won the Atlanta Open at Koch, Weinhart tie for low pro Dunwoody CC in 2006, and captured back-to-back events, including the
ERI PGA GEORGIA Georgia PGA Match Play Championship, to start the ’08 season. By Mike Blum But he hasn’t won a points event since, and struggled for the most part other he 2013 Armstrong Atlantic than the Pro-Assistant Championship, golf team continued its run of which he won three of the last four success in Georgia PGA tour- years with fellow CCoS instructor naments this Summer, with David Potts. Duluth’sT Gus Wagoner scoring a victory Things began to turn around for Koch in The Championship at Berkeley Hills late last year when he tied for 6th in the with an impressive surge late in the Georgia PGA’s qualifier for the national final round. club pro championship. Even though he One month prior to Wagoner’s victory, missed the cut in the recent event, he Armstrong’s Corey Griffin won the said he “played good in Oregon, and Yamaha Atlanta Open in a playoff over took a lot of positives” from his efforts. Stephen Keppler, one of the Georgia The Championship at Berkeley Hills winner Gus Koch said part of his problem has been PGA’s top players over the past Wagoner (left) and his dad Phil Wagoner a mental outlook he described as “not 20-plus years. good. I’ve been frustrated and not Wagoner did not need a playoff to playing well. I’ve been paying attention capture the Berkeley Hills title, breaking 17th concluded his torrid stretch and 2013-14 season, also led after the to a lot of negative stuff and focusing on open what had been a tightly-contested gave him a comfortable 4-shot lead opening round. He shot 68 both days, scores and results. final round with an eagle-birdie-birdie heading to the final hole. but there was little in common between “I’m teaching full time and very run on holes 15, 16 and 17. Like Koch, Wagoner’s tee shot at 18 the two rounds other than the score. busy, and when I play, I need to Going to the par-5 15th at Berkeley went right, but stayed in bounds. He “I did not hit it very well yesterday,” he enjoy playing.” Hills CC, Wagoner trailed Shawn Koch punched his second shot just short of the said after his victory. “Today I hit it Over the two days of the tournament, by one stroke. Wagoner’s eagle gave him green and wound up with a 3-stroke pretty well.” Koch certainly enjoyed playing Berkeley a one-shot lead, but Koch was unaware margin of victory when he came away Wagoner said he missed eight greens in Hills’ par 5s. He was 8-under on them that he had fallen behind as he stood on with bogey on the hole. the opening round, but managed to get with six birdies and the eagle on 15 the Berkeley Hills’ 18th tee. He elected to Wagoner is the son of River Pines head up and down for par seven times, taking final day. play safe and hit 5-wood on the 368-yard professional Phil Wagoner, who won the his lone bogey on the par-5 seventh. He Koch said he probably would have hit par 4. 1993 Atlanta Open at Atlanta Athletic picked up a pair of early birdies, driver off the 18th tee if he had known he But Koch’s tee shot sailed right and Club. He finished at 8-under 136 with including one on the long par-4 13th, his was behind, but said it was more poor exe- went out of bounds. Needing a bogey to back-to-back scores of 68. Koch and fourth hole of the day. Wagoner added cution than club selection. tie fellow Georgia PGA member Tim Weinhart tied for 2nd at 139. birdies early in his final nine on holes 2 “I did not hit a very good shot,” he said Weinhart, who was in the clubhouse at Koch, the Director of Instruction at and 3 before a birdie at the ninth gave of his 5-wood from the tee, but managed 5-under, and maintain (he thought) a Country Club of the South, shot 70-69, him the outright lead at the end of to re-group and finish in a tie for 2nd. share of the lead with Wagoner, he pulled while Weinhart, an instructor with the day. It was Koch’s third straight top-10 his driver and ripped his tee shot up the Standard Club-based Nuclear Golf, Brannen and Skinner were among five finish in a Georgia PGA event this year left side, leaving him a short pitch up the closed with a 68 after shooting 71 the players tied for 2nd at 69, with 25 and his second runner-up finish. He tied hill to the green. first day. They split first and second place players beginning the second round for 2nd in the Chicopee Woods Players Koch nearly holed the shot and tapped money, taking home $1,850 each, within three strokes of Wagoner’s lead. Championship, one shot behind winner in for bogey to tie Weinhart. But two and also divided first and second place Birdies at holes 3 and 5 expanded Clark Spratlin. groups behind him, Wagoner was pulling points among the Georgia PGA pros in Wagoner’s lead, but he three-putted the Weinhart shot 71 the first day and was away from his two main challengers. the field. ninth for bogey. After reaching the par-5 in the first group off the first tee in the A big tee shot at the 15th left Wagoner Tommy Brannen, the head profes- 10th in two for birdie, he missed the afternoon wave the next day. After a bogey with only 246 yards, and he hit what he sional at Augusta CC, tied for 4th at 140 green at the 13th for a bogey that tem- on the par-5 seventh he made the turn termed “a smooth 3 wood” that barely with Georgia State golfer Damon porarily cost him his lead. in even par and was not in the picture, missed the cup as it went past, stopping Stephenson. James Mason and Sonny Koch started fast with three birdies on but responded with five birdies on the within five feet. He holed the eagle putt Skinner were among a group of players his first seven holes, but also bogeyed the back nine, including three on the last to take the lead, and hit his approach on tying for 6th at 141. 13th. He hit his second shot over the four holes. the par-4 16th to a similar distance for a Wagoner, who is transferring to green on the par-5 15th, and on his first A bogey on the 17th after an errant tee birdie. A slightly longer birdie putt at the Georgia State and will sit out the shot after the second of two brief delays shot momentarily stalled his fast finish, late in the round, pitched in for eagle to but he closed with a birdie at the 18th to take the lead at 6-under. He had birdie put himself in position to share 2nd with opportunities at both 16 and 17, settling Koch. Weinhart, a 7-time Georgia PGA Another Armstrong win Gus Wagoner’s victory for pars to retain his lead until Wagoner’s Player of the Year, has won 15 individual in the The Championship at Berkeley Hills late heroics. titles in the Section, including all four of “This week was real helpful for me,” the Georgia PGA’s majors, with the 4- was the second straight for a 2013 Armstrong Koch said. “I’ve just gotten back to year-old Berkeley Hills event the only one Atlantic golfer in a Georgia PGA tournament playing decent golf. It’s been a rough he hasn’t won. couple of years.” Wagoner won one tournament during
12 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 his three years at Armstrong, taking an holes the next day in 2-under. But event hosted by Georgia College at he dropped out of contention with bogeys Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee. at 9 and 10. Alpharetta’s Cho, who plays Holding the lead going to the final at Purdue, had five birdies in a second round of a tournament can be difficult for round 70. golfers not entirely accustomed to being Tying for 11th at 141 were defending in that situation, but Wagoner said his champion Stephen Keppler, the Director experience “was not too bad.” of Golf at Marietta CC, Sea Island GC He took an unusual approach to his head pro Will Hutter, Crooked Oak head status as leader, which afforded him a spot pro Winston Trively, and amateurs in the last group off the tee. Instead of Grant Cagle, Josh Crews and Brooks sleeping in, Wagoner was on the job at Colquitt. River Pines at 6 a.m., working with the Keppler had an up and down week in maintenance staff to help get the course his title defense. He was 3-under after 10 prepared for play after some heavy rains holes in the opening round, but was #"!" # the previous weekend. 2-over the rest of the way and shot 71. He “I had never done that before,” said followed with another 71 after starting his # # Wagoner, who usually works in other round with three straight bogeys. He had areas at the club where his father is the five birdies after that, but played the par head pro. He said that helped keep his 5s 2-over for the day. mind off the pressure of holding the lead, Hutter shot himself into contention and he played extremely well in the final with three birdies on the front nine in the round, hanging right around the lead the second round to get to 4-under for the entire day before breaking away late. tournament, but took four bogeys on the Brannen, part of the large group of out- back nine before closing with birdies on standing seniors among the state’s club 17 and 18. + professional contingent, had six birdies in Colquitt was 3-under after six holes the his opening 69, but just two the next day second day to get to 5-under for the tour- in his 1-under 71. nament, but three straight bogeys at 9, 10 Also tying for 6th at 141 were and 11 ended his hopes of victory. Cagle, Dunwoody CC assistant Kyle Owen and a Gainesville resident who plays at college golfers Justin Cho and Daniel Georgia State, and Albany’s Crews both Kim. Owen shot 69-72, with his round were 3-under on the day and 4-under for beginning with five pars and ending with the tournament on the back nine before pars on the last 11 holes. Marietta’s Kim, some late bogeys. who plays at College of Charleston, opened with a 69 and was among The tournament was sponsored the leaders after playing his first eight by Pennywise.ly. Match Play round, Perno edged Kyle Owen of (Continued from page 10) Dunwoody CC 1-up in the quarters. Back, an instructor at Peachtree Golf Center, scored his most impressive win the Georgia PGA event at Chicopee in the quarterfinals, defeating No. 15 Woods earlier this year. Winston Trively, the head pro at Murchison’s lone Section win came in Crooked Oak in Colquitt, who reached last year’s Berkeley Hills Championship. the finals in 2011 and the semifinals last He also qualified for the 2012 PGA year. Back won three of his four matches Championship after a top-10 finish in decisively, with his closest match a 2-up the PGA Professional National victory over Wilmington Island Club Championship. head pro Patrick Richardson in the This is the first time Murchison has third round. made it past the quarterfinals in the Big Canoe head professional Joseph Match Play Championship. He defeated Finemore ousted the third-seeded Potts Stevens in 2009 at Callaway Gardens on the 19th hole in the second round, before losing in the quarters, and also but fell 3&2 to Owen, an assistant at lost in the quarters last year. Dunwoody CC, in his next match. Perno, the head pro at Peachtree GC, Jarred Reneau, Skinner’s scheduled won three of his four matches on either second round opponent, was unable to the 17th or 18th hole, including a 2&1 make time for the match, with the victory in the second round over No. 11 winner determined by a coin flip. '''%$#! #) % + + %%++ Brian Corn, an assistant at Peachtree. Reneau then lost to Trively in the After defeating Scott Curiel in the third third round.
2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 13 Beck takes Georgia Amateur on college course Kennesaw State golfer claims title at Pinetree MGSB GSGA BY IMAGES By Mike Blum played at 288 yards the final day. Noll drove the green he last time Pinetree Country and had an eagle putt of less Club hosted the Georgia than 15 feet, but settled for Amateur, David Noll col- birdie to get back within one lected the first of his two of Williamson’s lead. He championshipT trophies in the event. bogeyed his last three holes In the 10 years since Noll’s victory in for a 76, finishing in a tie for 2003, only one other non-college player 6th at 290. has won the championship – former Purcell also birdied the UGA golfer Bill Brown in 2006. 5th to stay within one of the That trend continued when Jimmy lead, but bogeyed three of the Beck, who plays at Kennesaw State, last four holes and tied Noll won the 2013 Georgia Amateur, the for 6th at 290. eighth time in the last 10 years a college Beck was one back of player has won the event. Williamson as he played his In recent years, Noll has been Jimmy Beck 15th hole, Pinetree’s 6th. His engaging in annual battles with the tee shot on the 448-yard hole many of the state’s top college players, David Noll went right and was within a including current PGA Tour members other top Division 1 players. yard or so of being out of bounds. Beck Brian Harman, Harris English and Beck could have secured an said he “got really lucky” and had a shot Russell Henley. invitation to play in the Hilton from the trees, but still had 209 yards for Noll, a Dalton resident, was back in Williamson, from Brunswick, con- Head tournament, but that was never a his second shot. his familiar position as championship tinued to grind out pars, making 14 on consideration. Just hoping to get on or near the contender in the most recent Georgia his first 16 holes the final day. But in the “I was not going to pass up the oppor- green, Beck hit his hybrid club within Amateur, which was played at a reno- group in front of the final pairing, the tunity to play here,” Beck said after his three feet of the hole for what he termed vated and more demanding Pinetree CC highest-ranked college player in the field victory. “This is our home course and I “my birdie of the century.” layout. He led after each of the first three made a late surge highlighted by a shot love this place so much. And it was the That pulled him even with rounds, but a third round 76 reduced his he will remember as long as he plays best opportunity for me to win.” Williamson, and he followed with lead from three strokes to one heading to the game. Beck shot a 69, the low score of the another birdie at the 7th to take the lead the final day. Beck came into the tournament as no final round, to finish at 1-over 285, with for good. Beck ripped a tee shot over the In addition to having five players less than a co-favorite with Noll. Pinetree Pinetree playing to a par of 71 for the bunker at the corner of the dogleg right within two shots of his lead, Noll was is a second home course for the tournament. The 16th, a short but per- and hit his short second within 12 feet. dealing with a sinus condition that was Columbus resident, who is the No. 1 ilous par 5, played as a par 4 for the Beck had a chance to end the tourna- visibly causing him problems. Noll bat- player on the Kennesaw State golf team. tournament at the same 505 yards. ment at even par, but was unable to get tled throughout the final round, either Beck holds the competitive course record Williamson was 2nd at 287, with a up and down for birdie after just missing holding or sharing the lead before finally of 65, which he shot in a college event double bogey on the next-to-last hole the green on the par-5 ninth, which running out of gas on the back nine. hosted by the Owls at Pinetree last Fall. ending his hopes of victory. Williamson played as the finishing hole. That could For a while, it appeared that the Beck won that tournament by six and Noll were tied for the lead at 2-over have given Williamson a chance, but he Armstrong Atlantic golf team would strokes, one of two victories during his midway through the final round, hit his tee shot on the par-3 eighth into continue its Summer run of success in sophomore season. He ended the 2013 with Beck and recent Armstrong thick fescue left of the green and made the state that included back-to-back wins college schedule as the No. 76 ranked Atlantic golfer Ridge Purcell their double bogey. in a pair of Georgia PGA events, player in the country, trailing only closest pursuers. A birdie on the final hole gave including the Atlanta Open. Georgia Tech’s standout duo of Anders Beck briefly gained a share of the lead Williamson a 72 and second place at Armstrong’s Travis Williamson pulled Albertson and Ollie Schniederjans and when he made birdie on the difficult 287. Knox, a frequent contender in the even with Noll when he birdied the par- Georgia Southern’s Scott Wolfes among 16th (his 7th hole in the final round). tournament and a two-time GSGA Mid- 5 second hole at Pinetree (his 11th), Georgia’s college contingent. The hole claimed Noll and Augusta’s Jeff Amateur champion, birdied three of his which played the nines in reverse order Wolfes qualified for the Georgia Knox, who tied for 3rd at 289, among its last five holes for a 73 and a tie for 3rd for the tournament leaders. When a Amateur, but elected to play in a national victims the final day. at 289 with UGA golfer Sepp Straka tiring Noll bogeyed the next two holes, amateur event in Hilton Head, played But Beck made consecutive bogeys at of Valdosta and David Watts of Williamson had the lead to himself, and that same week, along with Albertson, holes 18 and 1 before getting a shot back Chatsworth. was still on top with four holes to play. Schniederjans and a number of the state’s at the par-5 second. Williamson, Beck, Noll and Purcell tied for 6th at 290 Noll and Purcell all had a chance to win with recent Oglethorpe County high coming down the stretch, but Beck was school golfer Jake O’Bryan. Georgia Beck at home at Pinetree Kennesaw State golfer the only one of the four not to back up State golfer Damon Stephenson and on the finishing holes. Atlanta’s Cameron Hooper were 9th at Jimmy Beck won a college tournament at Noll fell back with bogeys at holes 3 291 after final round scores of 70. Pinetree prior to his Georgia Amateur victory and 4 (his 12th and 13th), but made a last stand on the par-4 fifth, which [ See Georgia Amateur, page 25 ]
14 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 2013 AUGUST A TRULYUNIQUE TRU UL LY Y U
GOLF NIQU UE GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 15 Familiar names lead FedExCup points list
first three playoff Playoffs events, players Woods, Kuchar, Mickelson, Snedeker on top can make sizeable moves up the standings provided they finish among the leaders. A majority of those in the top 30 at the By Mike Blum Championship during its last two stops in tournaments that will be played in 2013 outset of the Playoffs will make it to East Houston. Even though he won at East after the Tour Championship will carry Lake, with the other spots reserved for the he FedExCup Playoffs will be Lake in 2000, Mickelson returned to his full FedExCup points and will afford the relative handful of most successful players contested for the seventh time routine of taking the last few months of winner an invitation to the Masters, from the Playoffs. beginning this month, and the season off, bypassing the Tour enhancing the status of tournaments like Georgia should be well represented at with a handful of events before Championship in both ’05 and ’06. the McGladrey Classic at Sea Island East Lake, with six players in the top 30 as theT annual opener in the New York area, Woods joined Mickelson in omitting Golf Club. of the end of July. (See story, page 18) several familiar names were atop the Tour Championship from his Before the PGA Tour embarks on a dif- Haas, the 2011 FedExCup champion, the standings. schedule in ’06, deciding to “rest up” for ferent method of beginning its season, it was 7th on the point list behind emerging Tiger Woods and Phil two multi-million dollar will conclude a 2013 season that has not star Billy Horschel (5th) and U.S. Open Mickelson were 1-2 appearance fee tourna- lacked for interesting story lines. champion Justin Rose (6th). following Mickelson’s tri- ments in China and Japan. The regular season schedule concludes There are some familiar names among umph in the British With its two brightest this month with the PGA Championship the top 20 (Jason Day, Adam Scott, Open, an appropriate stars absent, PGA Tour at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y., followed Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, circumstance considering the impact the officials quickly came to the conclusion by the annual stop in Greensboro, N.C. Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson), two had on the creation of the Playoffs that something had to be done to keep the After the latter event, the top 125 players along with some surprises (Kevin system. Matt Kuchar moved past Tour Championship relevant. The on the FedExCup points list will Streelman, a resurgent Boo Weekley, Mickelson into 2nd after tying for 2nd in FedExCup Playoffs were introduced in qualify for the Playoffs opener the youngsters Jordan Spieth, Harris the Canadian Open, with 2012 2007, with the Tour Championship following week. English and Russell Henley, and Jimmy FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker moving from early November to late The Barclays will be played at Liberty Walker, one of the better obscure players taking over 4th place after his victory in September following three Playoffs events National in Jersey City, N.J., Aug. 22-25, on the tour). that event, joining the three leaders as in New York, Boston and Chicago, with with TPC Boston hosting the Things start getting dicey around the multiple winners on the PGA Tour the latter tournament now revolving Deutsche Bank Championship Labor 20th spot for advancement to East Lake, this year. around several sites in the Midwest. Day weekend. After a week off, the with Augusta’s Charles Howell 21st in The Tour Championship, scheduled for There was some initial quibbling with BMW Championship returns to Chicago the standings. Howell narrowly missed Sept. 19-22, was played for the first time both the format and the points allocation at Conway Farms, before the out on invites to the Masters and British in 1987, serving as a season-ending event that determined who advanced to the Tour Championship wraps up the Open this year. for the top 30 players at an outstanding Tour Championship and how the 2013 schedule. Steve Stricker, Henrik Stenson, venue (Pebble Beach, Harbour Town, FedExCup champion was determined. The format is unchanged from last year, Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Pinehurst, Olympic Club, Southern But the idea of the Playoffs has received when Snedeker repeated the feats of Jim Zach Johnson and Charl Schwartzel Hills). more and support from players, fans and Furyk in 2010 and Bill Haas in 2011, were among the prominent players The event later alternated between media over the past seven years, with some winning the Tour Championship while between 22 and 30, with Angel Cabrera, Champions GC in Houston and East tweaking to the format and points system also capturing the FedExCup title. Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson and Lake in Atlanta before East Lake became quieting the early criticism. Players will retain their points from the Rickie Fowler between 34 and 45. the permanent host course in 2004. The FedExCup Playoffs now stand as a regular season, with the first three Playoffs Among the “name” players who have Although the players strongly supported worthy conclusion to the PGA Tour events carrying five times the points value clinched spots in the Playoffs but will have the decision to anchor the event at East season, with the tour solving its dilemma of regular season non-major, non-WGC to pick things up if they’re going to make Lake, the Tour Championship began to regarding post-Tour Championship tour- tournaments. it to East Lake were 2010 FedExCup gradually lose some of its luster, primarily naments by switching to a non-calendar The top 125 on the points list will be champion Furyk (57), Rory McIlroy due to its spot on the schedule after two season beginning later this year. eligible to play in the Barclays, with the (58), Luke Donald (61), K.J. Choi (63), months of mostly second and third-tier The 2013 PGA Tour season will end fields reduced to 100 for the Deutsche Sergio Garcia (64), Ian Poulter (70), tournaments that were overshadowed by at the Tour Championship, with the Bank Championship and 70 for the Jason Dufner (78) and Ernie Els (85). college football and the NFL. 2013-14 schedule commencing three BMW Championship. The top 30 Padraig Harrington (123) and Mickelson began skipping the Tour weeks later in mid-October. All six advance to the Tour Championship, with Nicolas Colsaerts (125) were just inside the points reset after the BMW to prevent the number, Martin Kaymer (131) was a repeat of 2008, when Vijay Singh barely outside. Winning the recent tour- locked up the FedExCup title simply by nament in Mississippi was not enough to showing up at East Lake. get Woody Austin into the top 125. He The top 5 players going into the Tour was 134 after collecting his first points Championship are assured a FedExCup of 2013. championship with a win at East Lake, The list of players who need a big finish but that happened for the first time last or two before the regular season ends year when Snedeker won. Furyk was 15th includes Tommy Gainey (135), Vijay coming into the 2010 Tour Singh (138), Louis Oosthuizen (147), Championship, and Haas came from the Trevor Immelman (148), Ryo Ishikawa 25th position to win in ’11, capitalizing (155), Davis Love (162), Y.E. Yang on some lackluster showings by the (165), David Toms (175) and Robert players at the top of the standings. Allenby (180).
Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson With so many points available in the IMAGES BY STEVE DINBERG
16 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 2XWKHUHWKHELJJHVWKDQGLFDSLVNHHSLQJ\RXUKHDGGRZQ
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 17 Kuchar tops Georgians in FedExCup standings 18 players from state among top 125
By Mike Blum top 10s, including a playoff loss in the top 10s, including recent 5th in Humana Challenge, but hasn’t had any Memphis, T7 in John Deere and T9 in ith the FedExCup regular since, and narrowly missed qualifying for Canada. Stats not very impressive, but season ending in mid- both the Masters and U.S. and British has knack for scoring, as he displayed last August, the competition Opens as a result. Dramatic improve- year when he kept playing his way into W for spots in the Playoffs is ments in putting and overall short game fields in six Monday qualifiers. nearing an end. have helped compensate for some strug- Jason Bohn (Acworth resident), 93: As of the end of July, 18 of the 32 gles off the tee. Saved season with recent excellent stretch PGA Tour players with ties to Georgia Chris Kirk (Woodstock native of play, capped by tie for 2nd in Canada, were inside the top 125 /UGA/St. Simons resi- his fifth top-25 finish in eight starts after on the points list, the dent), 24: Started season four forgettable months to start 2013. cutoff for qualifying for fast with T5 in Hawaii Has made a good number of birdies the Playoffs and retaining and close runner-up exempt status on the tour finish at Pebble Beach, in 2014. but has been steady since without a top Roberto Those who finish between 126 and 15 finish until top 10 in second tied Castro 200 at the end of the regular season will event in Mississippi. Leads the tour in have to play in a four-tournament series scrambling and ranks around 20th in final round for top finish until strong along with the top players on the both putting and scoring, but ball Sunday showing at Congressional Web.com Tour for 25 spots on the 2014 striking stats are not as good. resulted in runner-up performance. PGA Tour, with those tournaments coin- Zach Johnson (St. Simons resident), Accurate off tee and with irons, but has ciding with the FedExCup Playoffs. 29: Struggled early, but was 3rd at been stymied by dismal putting stats and Here’s a look at how the Georgia con- Colonial after decent showing in Players. so-so final round scoring average. which tingent on the PGA Tour stood in the Lost a playoff in the John Deere and was has been improving. Opening 63 at FedExCup race as of late July: T6 at the British in consecutive weeks. Players started run of strong efforts. Matt Kuchar (Georgia Tech/St. Other than fairways hit, stats aren’t very Cameron Tringale (Ga. Tech), 54: Simons Island resident), 2: Has two wins good, but three top-6 finishes in six Continues to improve in fourth season this season in high profile events (WGC recent starts more than compensates. on tour, with 3rd place finish in Tampa Match Play and Memorial) and almost Bubba Watson (UGA), 37: Has the highlight of solid showing thus far. Jason Bohn had a third the week before Memorial, played respectably after 2012 Masters Stats are solid across the board and has losing by a shot in the Colonial. Moved victory, but no wins and only one stroke played well on weekends, a positive sign up one spot from 3rd with tie for 2nd in play top 10 prior to recent late collapse for continued success. despite struggling to hit greens, at least Canadian Open. Has relied on his in Hartford. Ranks 11th in greens in reg- Scott Brown (Augusta native), 67: until he returned to Canada, where he putting and short game, ranking 6th ulation, 8th in driving distance and 6th Won the second-tier event in Puerto once shot 58 in a Canadian Tour victory. in scoring average despite sub-par in birdies, but results don’t reflect those Rico early in his second PGA Tour Lucas Glover (St. Simons resident), driving stats. figures. Not the first player to struggle a season and was T13 at Bay Hill two 95: Despite poor putting stats, has a pair Harris English (South Georgia bit after capturing first major title. weeks later, but hasn’t been heard from of T4s (Honda and New Orleans), but native/UGA/St. Simons resident), 16: Roberto Castro (Alpharetta resi- since. Win will keep him exempt hasn’t done much else other than recent Scored first PGA Tour win recently in dent/Ga. Tech), 41: Has recorded seven through 2015 season. T15 in John Deere. Only one victory Memphis, earning 2014 Masters invite. top-25s, but wasn’t able to produce big Nicholas Thompson (Ga. Tech), 71: since winning 2009 U.S. Open, with Had three top 10s previously this season Had chance to make move in standings knee injury leading to career worst and a T15 in British Open, with driving in Memphis, but dropped out of top 25 season in 2012. accuracy his only below average stat. after final round 75. Rebounded with a Bryce Molder (Ga. Tech), 97: Improved putting has been a key to suc- string of excellent efforts, including 4th Recorded top-30 finishes in six of first cess this season. place finish in Mississippi, where he seven starts on West Coast and in Russell Henley (Macon native/UGA), missed a playoff by one shot. Also played Florida, but did little for three months 18: Began his rookie season on the tour well early with T6 in Humana Challenge before recent stretch of solid play. with birdies on his last five holes to win and a few other strong showings. Stats Remains one of the tour’s best putters, in Hawaii, and added ties for 6th on two other than putting and Sunday scoring but ball striking is sub-standard. Exempt respected courses (Sea Pines and are promising. status from 2011 win ends after Muirfield Village). Ranks in the top 25 Stewart Cink (Ga. Tech/Duluth resi- this season. in a number of stats – putting, driving, dent), 73: Playing better after worst Erik Compton (UGA), 108: Finally birdies and all-around category, and has season of his career in 2012. Has three made it to PGA Tour last year, but had to played well on Sundays. Only disap- top 10s, including T3 in Houston, and go back to Q-school to retain playing pointments were poor second round six top 25s despite struggling with both privileges. Played well early this season scores in Masters and Players. the driver and putter. Solid iron play has including T4 at Honda, but hasn’t done Charles Howell (Augusta native), 21: been key to improved results. much since tour left Florida. Double Opened the season with three straight Russell Henley Patrick Reed (Augusta State), 75: Up- AL KOOISTRA and-down rookie season includes four [ See Georgians, page 24 ]
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 19 Web.com leaders include group of Georgians week needed to move up the money list. Todd, Kisner heading back to PGA Tour His stats are excellent across the board, but have not translated into better results, with a tie for 9th the best of his four top-
20 finishes. IMAGES BY AL KOOISTRA By Mike Blum top 75, and a few who were one top tour- Clayton State standout is 2nd in total Aron Price (71): The former Georgia nament finish away from moving up into driving and 3rd all around, with a win in Southern golfer has just two top-25 fin- he PGA Tour has made a the top 75. Valdosta and a recent 2nd in Utah, where ishes this season, with driving accuracy major change to its annual The Web.com regular season ends he shot 59 the final day (story, page 22). his only positive stat. Ranks near the qualifying procedure, with August 25 in Omaha, with the four- Like Hadley, Wilcox will be a rookie on bottom in both driving distance and put- the road to the 2013-14 PGA tournament series beginning Aug. 29 in the PGA Tour next year. ting, hindering his earning a fourth TourT beginning late this month with a Ft. Wayne, Ind. Tournaments are sched- Brendon Todd (14). The Atlanta resi- season on the PGA Tour. four-tournament series of events after the uled the next two weeks in Charlotte and dent and member of the Bulldogs’ 2005 Paul Claxton (78): His 15th season on conclusion of the 2013 Columbus, O., with the NCAA Championship team has made the tour has been one of his poorest, but Web.com Tour schedule. series concluding Sept. more starts this year on the PGA Tour (8) he had his best showing recently in In recent years, the top 26-29 in Jacksonville, the than Web.com (6), playing well enough Kansas City, where he was 2nd after 54 25 players on the week after the Tour in his Web.com appearances to clinch his holes and finished T6. The 45-year-old Web.com (formerly Championship. return to full time PGA Tour status next former Georgia Bulldog and long time St. Nationwide) Tour money list The four Georgians year. In addition to a victory in the rain- Simons resident has struggled to make have qualified for the PGA Tour the next assured of PGA Tour berths next year are shortened Stadion Classic at UGA, Todd birdies, with his greens in regulation stats year, along with the top 25 finishers from recent Georgia Tech golfer Chesson has finished 21st or better in four of his a major factor. Still hoping for a fifth the finals of Q-school. Hadley, ex-Clayton State standout Will five other Web.com starts, and has season on the PGA Tour, and has been The top 25 on the Web.com money Wilcox, and former Georgia Bulldog recorded five top-20 finishes in his last gradually getting closer to top 75. list still qualify for the PGA Tour, but teammates Brendon Todd and Kevin four PGA Tour starts. Next season will be Josh Broadaway (80): The Albany Todd’s third as a PGA Tour member. native and resident has followed his career Kevin Kisner (16). After playing on best season in 2011 with two decent but the PGA Tour on 2011 and ’12, the unexceptional years. Best showing is a T4 Aiken, S.C., resident returned to the in Raleigh. Leads the tour in par-5 Web.com Tour and scored his second vic- birdies, with his overall stats better than tory, winning an early-season event in results. With four weeks left, was about Chile. Kisner, who also won as a rookie in $2,500 outside the top 75. 2010, ranks among the tour’s top putters, Reid Edstrom (109): Like Claxton, and will be looking to improve his enjoyed his best week recently in Kansas showing on the PGA Tour, where he was City (T18), but that was his first top 25 180 and 168 in his first two seasons. of the year. Edstrom, who attended high Scott Parel (22); The Web.com Tour school in the Atlanta area before playing veteran scored his first victory in Wichita on the golf team at Auburn, has mostly in June, but hasn’t done much else this played at the mini-tour level during his Brendon Todd Kevin Kisner year and still needs one more good week career, reaching the Web.com Tour to lock up his spot on the 2014 PGA for the first time in his 30s. Other their priority status will be determined in Kisner. Augusta’s Scott Parel was also in Tour, where he would turn 49 early in his than scrambling, stats this year have not the four-tournament series, which will the top 25, but had not yet locked up his rookie season. In his other 14 starts, Parel been good. features players from both the Web.com spot. Duluth’s Scott Dunlap was just has missed nine cuts and has not finished Richard Scott (113): Third member of and PGA Tours. outside the top 30. higher than 34th. Georgia’s ’05 NCAA Championship The top 75 players from the Web.com Here’s a look at how Georgians have Scott Dunlap (31). If Dunlap can team on the tour, spent lots of time on Tour will compete in the four-tourna- fared this year on the Web.com Tour, improve his position, he will return to the mini-tours before playing as a Web.com ment series, along with players 126-200 with money list standing in parentheses. PGA Tour at the age of 50, reaching that rookie in 2012. St. Simons resident has on the FedExCup points list, as well as Chesson Hadley (3). The 2010 birthday this month. Dunlap, who will struggled on the greens, and has made non-PGA Tour members who have accu- Georgia Tech grad has enjoyed an out- not have status on the Champions Tour, just 6 of 17 cuts with no top-20 finishes. mulated enough points to rank among standing season, ranking in the top 20 in has enjoyed a solid season with three top- Ryuji Imada (123): After seven suc- the top 200. driving distance and greens in regulation 6 finishes. Continues to be one of the cessful seasons on the PGA Tour, had his The top 25 on the Web.com money and the top 10 in putting, scoring and tour’s most accurate players, but putting poorest showing last year and things have list will join the top 25 finishers in earn- the all-around category. He has a win – remains a concern. Has been a gotten worse in ’13. Other than a tie for ings in the four-tournament series not that coming in his home town of Raleigh, PGA/Web.com Tour member since 1996 8th in the Stadion Classic at UGA, Imada already exempt, with those 50 ranked N.C. – a 2nd, two 3rds and a 6th, all with two wins on the latter in 2004 and hasn’t finished better than 40th in a in order of their standing from those since mid-May, in his rookie season fol- ’08. Last year was the first time since season divided between the PGA and four events. lowing a strong showing in his first visit 2002 he played on the PGA Tour. Web.com Tours. Once deft putting touch With four tournaments left in the to the finals of Q-school. Hudson Swafford (54): After scoring a no longer enough to compensate for 2013 Web.com schedule, five golfers Will Wilcox (5). The third year memorable victory as a Web.com rookie shaky ball-striking for member of 1999 with ties to Georgia were in the top 25 Web.com Tour member has also played last year in the Stadion Classic at UGA, UGA national championship squad. on the money list, with four of them extremely well from a statistical stand- the recent Georgia Bulldog golfer let a Michael Sims (124): St. Simons resi- guaranteed a spot on the 2014 PGA point, ranking in the top 10 in a number chance slip away to qualify for this year’s dent has been on-and-off the tour since Tour. A sixth player was just outside the of categories, including driving distance, PGA Tour. Has followed with a top 30, with a handful of others in the birdies, eagles and scoring. The former respectable season lacking the one big [ See Web.com Tour, page 24 ]
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 21 Wilcox shoots 59 in Web.com Tour event Ex-Clayton State golfer headed to PGA Tour
By Mike Blum the 2013-14 season. along with the eagle on his eighth hole. with scores of 66 and 63 the second and Going to the final round, Wilcox was He had double-bogeyed the ninth hole third rounds on the highly-regarded number of Georgia colleges 10 shots off the lead, but wound up only the day before. Wilcox hit all 18 greens in Kinderlou Forest layout and wound sport high profile golf teams one out of the playoff after his 12-under the final round and had 10 one-putts, up winning by four with a with notable former players. 59 on the par-71 course, which yielded with one of his birdies coming when he 15-under total. Georgia and Augusta State scores of 60, 61 and several 62s earlier in reached a par 5 in two. Back-to-back top 10s in Indiana haveA won a combined five national the tournament. “I didn’t think I could win until I won. and Utah increased his consecutive championships over the past 15 years, Wilcox, who began his final round on Then I did in Valdosta,” Wilcox offered. made cut streak to 10 and left him with both schools well represented at the the back nine, started with four straight “I didn’t think I could shoot 59 until I comfortably in the top 10 in earnings, professional level. birdies and turned in 7-under 29 after an shot 59.” ensuring Wilcox a spot on the 2014 Georgia Tech has come close to a eagle on the par-5 17th. He failed to Wilcox is in his third season on the PGA Tour. national title on numerous occasions and birdie the par-5 first, but came back with Web.com Tour, playing his way on the “This has been such a dream year for has a long list of prominent graduates. birdies on the next three holes to get to tour in 2011 after beginning the year me. From my first Web.com victory to Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State and 10-under with five holes to play. with no status. He turned pro in 2009 shooting 59, I’ve had several dreams Georgia State all have current or former Needing two birdies to shoot 59, he after completing his college career at come true,” Wilcox said after his memo- golfers who have made headlines outside hit his tee shot within three feet on the Clayton State and was an immediate suc- rable round. the state. par-3 seventh, but missed the putt. cess at the mini-tour level. “As I stop and think about this day Armstrong Atlantic, a Division II “If I was nervous during the round, it During his first two seasons as a tour and this year, I know I’ve made a lot of school, had players from its 2012-13 came on the 16th and 17th holes,” pro, Wilcox won twice on the Hooters changes in my life that have allowed me team win consecutive Georgia PGA Wilcox said. “I missed a really easy birdie Tour and once on the Canadian Tour, to do all this. events and finish second in the recent putt on No. 7. I just hit a terrible putt. with his win on the latter enabling him “I’m not out at night. I’m doing what Georgia Amateur. “I also knew I needed to bury the putt to make his first ever PGA Tour start in I need to do. I’m going to bed early, Clayton State in south metro Atlanta on 17 to give myself a chance at 59. the Canadian Open. working out and taking care of myself.” does not have much of a golf history. But I made it and that set me up for Wilcox played his way into the 2011 Wilcox was a highly touted junior one of its recent players has put the the finish.” Stadion Classic at UGA in a Monday from the Birmingham area, and signed school, known for its basketball teams, Wilcox hit his approach on qualifier and tied for 3rd, taking home a with UAB, where his mother was the on the national golf map. the par-4 ninth to within six feet, healthier than usual check of $48,400 golf coach for the women’s team. But Will Wilcox accomplished the rare and had a little different reaction than on when UGA golfer Russell Henley won some miss-steps early in his college life feat of shooting a 59 in a tour event – the previous holes. the tournament as an amateur. Wilcox almost ended his college golf career the recent Web.com Tour Utah “I really wasn’t concluded a successful five-tournament before it started. Championship. He shot his record-set- nervous,” he said, run on the tour when he again placed After time away from school and golf, ting round the final day of the rolling in the putt 3rd, this time in Mexico, to secure his Wilcox wound up at Clayton State and tournament, vaulting from 38th after for his 10th status for the rest of the year. enjoyed a successful career at the three rounds to a tie for 2nd, just one birdie of the day During that stretch, Wilcox managed NCAA Division II school, winning four stroke out of a playoff. to advance through two qualifiers for the tournaments each his junior and senior It was not the first time Wilcox made U.S. Open, competing that year at seasons and twice earning first team headlines this year. He won the South Congressional. He finished the year 36th all-America honors. Georgia Classic at Kinderlou Forest on the money list with almost During his stay in the Atlanta in Valdosta in April. But the tourna- $150,000 and came rela- area, Wilcox set the course record at ment was not televised and winners tively close to earning his Lake Spivey, and now has the lowest on the Web.com Tour don’t attract PGA Tour card in the score ever shot at the Willow Creek much attention, even on the finals of Q-school. layout in Utah that annually hosts a Golf Channel. After arespectable tour event. The Utah event was televised, start in 2012, Wilcox Wilcox joins several Georgians who and the 59 by Wilcox overshad- managed just two have broken 60 on various tours. owed the finish, which ended profitable tourna- Former Georgia Tech standout David with a playoff. Three players, ment showings the Duval shot 59 in the final round to win including Wilcox, missed it by last six months the 1999 Bob Hope Classic. Peachtree just one shot. of the season and fell City native Dave Schreyer shot 59 en Wilcox had already locked up to 73rd on the route to one of his 10 career wins on the a spot on the PGA Tour for next money list. Hooters Tour, and Acworth resident year, and was 6th on the Web.com Wilcox got off to a Jason Bohn shot 58 on the Canadian money list with six tournaments left similar start this season Tour on his way to a successful PGA before the four post-season events that before his breakthrough Tour career. will determine the priority ranking of the win in Valdosta. He built a 50 players who earn PGA Tour status for 7-shot lead after 54 holes Will Wilcox SOUTH GEORGIA CLASSIC
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 23 Played well early this season in Phoenix, splash when he surprisingly tied for 5th Georgians but went five months without a top 50 in Mississippi, his first made cut since [ Continued from page 18 ] finish, including seven straight missed 2009 and first top 10 since ’06. cuts. Has played better since, but still Paul Haley (Ga. Tech), 218: Went heart transplant recipient has no major well outside top 125. Has been exempt straight to the Web.com Tour out of health issues of late. for seven seasons on the PGA Tour with Tech and won a tournament last year, Brian Harman (Savannah native/ two wins, but has a ways to go if he’s but rookie season on the PGA Tour has UGA/St. Simons resident), 117: After going to stay there. Vaughn Taylor been a struggle. Made the cut in just 2 of respectable rookie effort in 2012, has had Davis Love (St. Simons resident), first 16 starts, and needs to move into the undistinguished second season, missing 162: Has career exempt status, so current top 200 just to make the Web.com almost as many cuts as he’s made. Other standing no concern. Missed three his first eight starts back, notched a T10 post-season series. Last on the PGA Tour than putting, stats are consistently below months this season recovering from neck in Memphis, but missed next three cuts. in several statistical categories. average. Former No. 1-ranked junior still surgery, but played well at Memorial and Will be eligible for medical extension in David Duval (Ga. Tech). Has played looking to achieve success some of Memphis and posted his first top 10 of 2014 if he doesn’t retain exempt status. in seven events, mostly on sponsor his former college teammates have the year in the Greenbrier. Eligible for Heath Slocum (Alpharetta resident), exemptions, and yet to make a cut. already enjoyed. Champions Tour in less than a year, but 190: After 10 successful seasons and Barely into his 40s, his career appears Justin Bolli (former Roswell resi- still has game to compete on PGA Tour. three wins on the PGA Tour, lost his done after 13 wins between 1997 and dent/UGA), 143: Has a pair of 4th place Henrik Norlander (Augusta State), exempt status after struggling in 2012, 2001, including the ’01 British Open, finishes this season, most recently in 167: Reed’s teammate in Augusta has and has divided his schedule between the his last victory. Byron Nelson, shooting 66 and 65 in the played respectably as a rookie, but has PGA and Web.com Tours this year with Blake Adams (Eatonton native/ final round those weeks. Has missed 15 only two finishes better than 40th, back- similar results. Has made 10 of 17 cuts, Georgia Southern/Swainsboro resident) of 20 cuts, including eight in a row after to-back top 20s in New Orleans and but has just one finish better than 40th and Kris Blanks (Warner Robins Byron Nelson. Has spent the last decade Charlotte. Ball striking stats are excel- on each tour. Leads both tours in fair- native/former assistant pro at The going back and forth between PGA and lent, but scoring average reflects below ways hits, but putting stats have negated Landings): Both players were sidelined Nationwide/Web.com Tours, and could average putting numbers. his accuracy. early this season with injuries, making be headed back to golf’s Class AAA Luke List (former Ringgold resident), Billy Andrade (Atlanta resident), 202: just three starts between them. Both will in 2014. 176: Disappointing rookie season with Played a handful of events to tune up for have medical extension status for the Vaughn Taylor (Augusta resident/ only 8 of 22 made cuts and a T16 in 2014 Champions Tour, but made a 2014 season. Augusta State), 150: After seven straight Charlotte his only top 30 until recent seasons in the top 100, is heading for his T21 in Canada. Leads PGA Tour in third straight year outside the top 125. driving distance, but is dead last in fair- almost $100,000. At this stage, Atlanta Best showing has been a T10 in ways hit and not much better in other Web.com Tour resident stands as good a chance of Charlotte and three top 25s during the categories. Only bright spot has been his (Continued from page 20) making the Web.com post-season Florida swing, but his playing opportu- play on Sundays when he has managed through his play on the PGA Tour, where nities have been limited due to to make cut. 2007, and is still looking for first big he has spent two seasons, as he does from non-exempt status. Will Claxton (Swainsboro native), season. Has struggled most of this year, the Web.com. Brendon Todd (UGA/Atlanta resi- 185: Kept card after very respectable making just 3 of 13 cuts. Final round Matt Weibring (180): Former Georgia dent), 154: After win on Web.com Tour rookie season, his first at a level above the 62 in Greenville, S.C., led to a T9 Tech golfer has had to battle Bell’s palsy, in Athens, has spent most of his time on Hooters Tour, but in danger of losing it. finish, the only time he’s been higher which results in some facial paralysis and PGA Tour, notching top 20s in four of Has made only 7 of 22 cuts, with T27 in than 50th. occasionally prevents him from closing an five starts. Other than one poor round at Memphis his best finish. Near the Kyle Reifers (126). Played well in his eye. He has made just three cuts this year, Pebble Beach, has played consistent, bottom in putting stats and ball first five seasons on the Web.com Tour, one coming in the U.S. Open, the only quality golf all season on both tours, and striking hasn’t been strong enough to but not this year. Had no top 25 finishes time he has gone 72 holes since March. will earn PGA Tour status for 2014 from compensate. in his first 12 starts before getting a last- Weibring has bounced back and forth Web.com Tour if he falls short of Jonathan Byrd (St. Simons resident), minute spot in recent PGA Tour event in between the PGA and Web.com Tours in FedExCup Playoffs. 189: After missing first three months of Mississippi and tying for 5th, exceeding recent years, but may need a medical Troy Matteson (Ga. Tech), 159: season with injury and playing poorly in his Web.com earnings on the season by extension to play next year.
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24 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 GSGA Zachary Healy by two after an opening 67, and shot 71 the next day to increase his lead to three over Watts. Noll was still in control midway through the third round, but went 6-over on a 5-hole stretch on his second nine before reclaiming the lead with birdies at his final two holes. Beck stayed within range with scores of 73-70-73 to begin the final round two behind Noll in a tie for 4th. He began the final round with a birdie, but had to scramble for bogey on his next hole – the par-5 11th – when he hit his second shot well out of bounds. After taking a drop, Jimmy Beck he hit his fourth on the green from long range to save bogey and stayed close the rest of the way before playing his final eight holes in 3-under. Georgia Amateur Going to the final round Beck was (Continued from page 14) only two off the lead, and with his knowledge of Pinetree, he knew that Current Kennesaw State golfer Jonathan “anything could happen.” Beck said his Klotz of Columbus and recent lone goal the final day was “to make Kennesaw golfer Sam Curtis of Calhoun some birdies,” and he wound up with were 11th at 292. five of them, including several on some Until the back nine the final day, the of the most difficult holes on the course tournament belonged to Noll. He led – the 10th (his first), converted par-4 Watts and Norcross high school golfer 16th and most notably, the 6th.
2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 25 Shirley takes Volvik Ga. Women’s Open Scores 3rd win in event with 5-stroke margin
By Mike Blum a short par putt on the par-5 18th while Haigwood birdied. Haigwood was argaret Shirley’s third 2-under after her quintuple bogey on the Georgia Women’s Open 12th, coming right back with a birdie at title came in significantly the dangerous 13th. easier fashion than her “I can’t complain,” Shirley said of her firstM two. play in the tournament. “I’m just getting Shirley, who won the tournament in back out and playing. It’s fun.” 2006 and ’08, claimed her third title with Shirley said her inaction was due largely a decisive 5-stroke victory in the 2013 to her schedule while she was coaching at Volvik Georgia Women’s Open at Auburn, with her current job at Atlanta Brookfield Country Club. Shirley fin- Junior Golf presenting her with more ished with a 36-hole total of 6-under playing opportunities. 138, five shots ahead of Carmen Bandea, Volvik Georgia Women’s Open Having played so sparingly over the who claimed low professional honors, champion Margaret Shirley Carmen Bandea past year, Shirley said she adopted a and Jessica Haigwood. “nothing to lose” outlook on her tourna- In her first victory at ment appearance, and responded with a Canongate-on-White Oak, Georgia Women’s Open came 1-over. Bandea, who has enjoyed some strong effort considering her minimal Shirley needed a playoff to while she was a member of the success on the Canadian Women’s Tour, recent competitive experience. win. Two years later, she women’s golf team at Auburn. has played well in the Georgia Women’s When she wound up with a sizeable scored a narrow 1-shot vic- She came close to winning in Open, with seven finishes of 7th or better lead midway through the final round, tory at Summer Grove. Her 2010 while she was a coach at in the tournament, including five top 4s Shirley said she “tried not to think recent win was not nearly as Georgia, finishing one shot since 2007. She lost in a playoff at White about it. closely contested, as she behind Emilie Burger, a Oak in ‘07. “You can get too defensive in that situ- pulled away from her only two chal- member of the Georgia team at the time. Haigwood briefly took the lead in the ation,” she said, proving her point with lengers midway through the final round. From 2003-10, Shirley finished 5th or final round when she birdied the opening her bogey at the 14th. But she played Shirley, who is the Manager of Rules better every year in the Georgia Women’s hole and Shirley bogeyed. But Haigwood solidly after that, highlighted by the and Competitions at Atlanta Junior Golf, Open except ’09, when she placed 7th. quickly gave the lead back when she took birdie at the 17th, where she barely had played only one competitive round She missed the 2011 and ’12 tourna- double bogey on the difficult second hole, cleared a greenside bunker on her second of golf in almost a year, a U.S. Amateur ments because of the tournament’s and Shirley reclaimed the lead for good. shot and got a favorable bounce off qualifier several weeks earlier. residency rule, but once she returned Shirley increased her lead to two when the downslope. Work responsibilities have limited to Georgia, became eligible for this she hit the flagstick with her approach on “I got some lucky breaks,” Shirley Shirley’s playing schedule in recent years. year’s event. the par-4 fifth after her tee shot sailed well offered, with her key birdie on the sev- She had not competed since almost Shirley took the lead after the first to the right, leaving her a sharply uphill enth aided by a friendly roll off the ridge reaching match play in the 2012 U.S. round after at 4-under 68, with second, which wound up about four feet behind the hole location. Women’s Amateur. At the time, Shirley Haigwood (69) and Bandea (70) joining from the cup. She reached the par-5 sixth Tying for 4th at 148 were pro Mari was an assistant coach on the Auburn her in the final group the second day. in two, with Haigwood and Bandea Chun of Alpharetta and amateur women’s team, but left that job earlier “I got off to a strong start,” she said of matching Shirley’s birdie to remain two Mercedes Huarte of Suwanee. Pro Sue this year after encountering health issues her opening round, which began with and three strokes off the lead, respectively. Martin of Norcross and amateur that prevented her from traveling. three consecutive birdies on holes 10, 11 Two more outstanding second shots Danielle Davis of St. Simons Island tied Shirley’s health concerns have since and 12. produced short birdie putts for Shirley on for 6th at 149. abated, and she has joined the Atlanta “I cooled off a little bit after that,” she holes 7 and 9, increasing her lead to four Defending champion Kendall Wright Junior Golf staff, where she helps run the added, but managed three more birdies in as the group made the turn. Both of Duluth, who is playing on the organization’s extensive tournament her round against two bogeys for her Haigwood and Bandea carded birdies on Symmetra Tour, tied for 10th at 154 after schedule. 4-under score. the short, par-4 10th, with Bandea holing shooting 81 in the second round. Wright, “I love what I do with Atlanta Junior Haigwood, a Roswell resident who a long putt over a ridge and Haigwood who won by four shots last year at Golf,” Shirley said after her victory. “It’s a played her high school golf at Brookfield, almost driving the green. Callaway Gardens, carded four birdies on great organization. birdied four of her first six holes in the But Bandea bogeyed both the 11th and her opening nine in a 73 the first day. But “Junior golf is so important. It’s the opening round and matched Shirley’s 12th, while Haigwood’s hopes of victory she managed just one birdie the final future of the game. And Atlanta Junior total of six birdies on the day, shooting 69 ended when she hooked two drives out of round, which included two triple bogeys Golf is where I got my start.” with three bogeys. Haigwood will be a bounds on the 12th and wound up with a and a double bogey. Shirley grew up in east Cobb in a golf freshman on the Augusta State women’s 9 on the par 4. Brookfield, which hosted an LPGA family and was one of the state’s top jun- team this Fall. Left with a 5-stroke margin, Shirley Tour event in the 1970s and ‘80s, pro- iors before enjoying a successful college Bandea, a Johns Creek resident, also played her last six holes in even par, off- vided the tournament participants with golf career at Auburn. She played briefly had six birdies in her opening round of setting a sloppy bogey on the par-5 14th an outstanding venue, and Volvik’s pres- as a professional before working as an 70, including all three par 5s on with her second birdie in two days on the ence as title sponsor was a promising assistant coach at Georgia and Auburn Brookfield’s back nine. All six of her long, par-4 17th. development for the tournament, which for two years each. birdies came on the first 12 holes of the Bandea also birdied the 17th, but had has struggled to attract the state’s top Both of Shirley’s previous wins in the round, but she played her last six in to settle for a tie for 2nd when she missed female players in recent years.
26 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 Dibos defends title in LPGA Legends event
over Steinhauer, with Jones 3rd at 70. nephews on the PGA Tour, was the first By Mike Blum Alicia Dibos “This is awesome,” Dibos said after player to shoot 71, finishing at even par t took two extra holes this time, her victory. “I won last year and won after a birdie at the 18th. Lidback, who is but Alicia Dibos repeated as again this year.” Roberto Castro’s aunt, had a lengthy winner of the LPGA Legends Pro- Dibos, a non-winner in her 10 years wait before Scranton closed out her 70 to Am Challenge, played at the on the LPGA Tour, said a second straight end Lidback’s hopes of a playoff. CountryI Club of Roswell as part of the victory at CC of Roswell “was in my In addition to Jones and Lidback, Judson Collegiate Invitational. mind. It’s nice to win back-to-back.” there were a number of players in the Dibos shot 1-under 70 to tie five-time A birdie on the opening hole got Legends field who are current or former Legends winner Nancy Scranton. The Dibos off to a successful start, and she Georgia residents. Tifton native Nanci two players returned to the par-5 18th ran off three birdies in eight holes, the Bowen tied for 11th at 74, with hole at CC of Roswell, which both last two in succession at 11 and 12 to get Peachtree City’s Cindy Schreyer T18 at players bogeyed in regulation to deny to 3-under. But she bogeyed both par 5s 75. Luciana Bemvenuti, an assistant at them an outright victory. on the back nine, missing the green at CC of Roswell and a former member of After both parred the first extra hole, the 18th after hitting her second shot the Georgia women’s golf team along they headed back to the 18th tee, into the rough on the hill left of with Bowen and Schreyer, shot a 77. with Dibos emerging as winner the fairway. win outright or get into a playoff. To that Long-time Albany resident and Hall of when Scranton bogeyed the hole for a Scranton shook off a double bogey on point, Jones had bogeyed two of the Famer Nancy Lopez lent her support to second time. the par-4 fifth, as she also scored back- easier holes on the course – the par-4 first the event and shot 81. The victory was worth $15,000 for to-back birdies on 11 and 12. A birdie at and par-5 13th, while carding birdies on The college players in the field com- Dibos, who has scored both her Legends 15 got Scranton to 2-under, but her third two of the tougher holes – the dangerous peted along side the LPGA Legends in titles on the narrow and frequently per- shot on 18 from a similar spot to that of par-5 sixth and par-4 14th, along with the first round. Collier and Kennesaw ilous CC of Roswell layout. Scranton, Dibos scooted through the green into the the short par-3 16th. State golfer Ket Preamchuen shared the one of the tour’s most successful players, lake just beyond the putting surface. She But she drew a tough lie in the front opening round lead at 72, but Porras took home $12,000. managed to save bogey with a deft chip greenside bunker on 17, barely got it out took control after a 67 the next day gave Five players tied for 3rd at even par 71, to finish at 1-under, posting her score of the sand, and was unable to get up and her a 3-shot margin over Collier. A final including tournament host and Atlanta several groups before Dibos concluded down from just off the green. She birdied round 72 gave Porras a 4-stroke victory resident Rosie Jones. Also tying for 3rd her round. the 18th to finish one out of the playoff. over Restrepo, whose closing 70 was the were Hall of Famer Betsy King, Sherri After both players parred the first King, who started on the back nine, lone sub-par score the final day. Steinhauer, Laurie Rinker and Jenny playoff hole, Scranton missed the 18th made the turn in 3-under after a birdie at Preamchuen tied for 4th at 224, with Lidback, like Jones an Atlanta resident. green with her third shot and missed a the 18th. But she suffered double bogeys Alpharetta’s Amira Alexander, a Hall of Famer Pat Bradley was 8th short par putt, enabling Dibos to claim on both par 3s on the front nine, with a member of the UGA women’s team, T6 at 72. the victory with a two-putt par. birdie at the eighth getting her back to at 226 after a final round 72. Bonaire’s The Judson Collegiate winner was Dibos would have won in regulation even par. Lacey Fears, who plays at Mercer, tied recent Tulane graduate Maribel Lopez with a par at 18, and said she put her fin- A bogey at the 17th dropped for 9th at 228, with Alpharetta’s Kaitlin Porras, who shot 1-over 214 for 54 holes ishing bogey “out of my mind” as she Steinhauer to even par, and was one of Voll of Ole Miss T13 at 229. Mercer to finish four ahead of Louisville’s Laura returned to the 18th tee for the playoff. three bogeys she took on the back nine signee Haley Austin of McDonough was Restrepo. Alabama’s Hannah Collier She said she “did not know how I stood” after shooting 2-under on the front. 20th at 232, with Louisville signee was 3rd at 219 and was the only other throughout the round, and “did not Rinker had five birdies on her card, Emily Kurey of Alpharetta 24th at 238. player within 10 shots of the winner. know I had to make that par putt including three on the back nine, but Roswell’s Lauren Judson, who started The one-day Legends Pro-Am was to win.” took a double bogey on the 14th and a the tournament to honor her late par- considerably closer, with a number of Jones came up just short for the bogey on the 17th, which offset a birdie ents, tied for 29th at 241. Judson players having opportunities to win. second straight year, with a double bogey on the finishing hole. plays on the golf team at Southern Dibos shot 68 last year to win by one at the par-4 17th costing her a chance to Lidback, one of two contenders with Mississippi.
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2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 27 Chip Shots
Tech qualifies 6 MATRE ROB BY IMAGES 5th at 151, with Danny Nungesser and Clark Spratlin 7th at 151 and Ted Fort and for U.S. Amateur Justin Jolly 9th at 152. Senior Division Championship: In All six Georgia Tech golfers entered in the Georgia PGA Senior Division U.S. Amateur qualifying advanced to the Championship, played at Jekyll Island’s Pine championship, with three Yellow Jackets Lakes course, Sonny Skinner shot 7-under from metro Atlanta finishing 1st, 2nd and 137 to finish three ahead of runner-up tied for 3rd in a qualifier at Capital City Russell Smith of Bent Tree. Club’s Crabapple Course. Mike Shannon of Sea Island GC was 3rd Woodstock’s Anders Albertson earned at 141, with Bob Burk of Valdosta’s Stone medalist honors with scores of 66-67—133 Creek 4th at 143. John Nigh was 5th at 145, on the par-70 Crabapple layout, which with Danny Elkins, Scott Hare and Chuck hosted the NCAA Championship earlier Little T6 at 146. this year. Duluth’s Seth Reeves was 2nd with scores of 66-69—135, and Ollie Schniederjans of Powder McLuen a winner Springs tied for 3rd at 138 with Scott Ollie Schniederjans
Strohmeyer of national champion Sonny Skinner IMAGES BY GEORGIA PGA at Standard Club Alabama. Schniederjans posted scores of Jay McLuen of Forsyth won a Hopkins 68-70. on the Charlotte golf team, tied for 3rd in a Georgia Amateur. Schniederjans shot 210 Golf Peach State Tour event last month at Georgia Southern golfer Scott Wolfes of different qualifier in North Carolina, but lost in the event, shortened by weather to 54 the Standard Club, posting a 13-under 203 St. Simons Island got the fifth and final spot in a playoff for the final spot. holes, highlighted by a 66 in the second to win by five strokes and earn the winner’s from the 132-player field, needing five The U.S. Open will be played August round. check of $4,500. holes in a playoff against U. of New Mexico 12-18 at The Country Club in Brookline, Alpharetta’s Zach Jaworski (Vanderbilt) McLuen shot 67-66 the final two rounds golfer Victor Perez. Wolfes, a 2-time GSGA Mass. tied for 13th at 213 along with UGA golfer with just one bogey over his last 36 holes. Junior Championship winner, shot 69-70— U.S. Public Links: Sam Straka was the Keith Mitchell. Anders Albertson was T19 Chip Deason of Evans was 2nd at 208, with 139, taking the playoff with a birdie on the lone Georgian to reach match play in the at 215. Atlanta’s Brett Lange, Lula’s Ryan 17th hole. U.S. Public Links Championship in Virginia, In other amateur events: Chitwood, Cochran’s Joe Young and At Athens CC, UGA signee Greyson Sigg losing in the opening round. Cumming’s Seth Reeves tied for 11th in stroke play Williamson’s Denny Lucas T4 at 210. of Augusta claimed medalist honors with a Mark Buchholz, a former placekicker at qualifying for the North South Amateur at Alabama’s Hunter Hawkins won the 5-under 135 total (67-68). Current UGA Clemson, also qualified for the event. Pinehurst with a 209 total, advancing to the Peachtree City Invitational later last month golfer Sam Straka of Valdosta was 2nd at U.S. Women’s Amateur: Four Georgians second round of match play. at Whitewater Creek, collecting $10,000 for 68-69—137, followed by college golfers qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, In the annual Oglethorpe Invitational at his victory, the largest winner’s prize on the Zach Estep (Southern Mississippi) of three outside the state. Milledgeville’s Savannah’s Wilmington Island Club, Sea Peach State Tour this year. Lawrenceville and Chase Parker Ashlan Ramsey was medalist in a qualifier Island’s Jack Hall won for the second time Hawkins shot 15-under 201, leading (Kentucky) of Augusta at 138. at Kiawah Island, S.C., with a 68. Atlanta’s in four years, finishing with a 13-under 200 after an opening 65 and following with Kennesaw State golfer Jimmy Beck of Haley Zagoria was 5th with a 72. Roswell’s total. Hall, who was 2nd in the event last scores of 69-67 to finish one ahead of Columbus, the recent Georgia Amateur Rinko Mitsunaga was 2nd in a qualifier in year, shot 66-67-67 and won by two. fellow Alabama resident Jimmy Brandt, champion, and UGA golfer Sepp Straka, Pennsylvania with a 71. Georgia Southern golfer Will Evans of who shot 68 the final day. Former Georgia Sam’s brother, tied for 5th at 139, missing Sloan Shanahan was the lone Georgian McDonough tied for 4th at 204, with Tech golfer Kyle Scott of Decatur was 3rd by one shot each. to advance from a qualifier at Dalton G&CC, Savannah’s Doug Hanzel, the only ama- at 205, with Atlanta’s Jordan Mitchell 4th Qualifying outside the state were Lee with nine spots available. Shanahan shot teur to make the cut in the recent U.S. at 207. Brett Munson of Evans tied for 5th Knox of Augusta, a two-time Georgia 74 to tie for 8th and got the final spot in a Senior Open, tying for 9th at 206. at 208. Amateur champion, UGA’s Michael playoff. Most of the state’s top female Cromie and the Georgia Tech trio of Bo amateurs were in the field, including Bill Andrews, Richy Werenski and Acworth’s Mariah Stackhouse. Murchison claims Murchison Michael Hines. The U.S. Women’s Amateur is scheduled Knox, who has completed his college North Chapter title for Aug. 5-11 in Charleston, S.C. career at Alabama, tied for 4th at 139 out- Southern Amateur: UGA golfer Joey Towne Lake Hills assistant Bill side Columbia, S.C. and won a playoff for Garber lost in a playoff in the Southern Murchison won the Georgia PGA North the final spot. Andrews, competing in Amateur at the Honors Course outside Chapter Championship at the Legends at Virginia, also needed a playoff to get the Chattanooga, with Ollie Schniederjans Chateau Elan, played one week before the final spot after tying for 2nd at 133. He finishing one shot out of the playoff. Georgia Open. birdied the second extra hole to advance. Garber shot 12-under 276 and was part Murchison shot 3-under 141 with scores Cromie was co-medalist in a qualifier in of a 3-way playoff won by Zachary Olsen. of 71-70 to finish five ahead of James North Carolina. Schniederjans, who shot 64 in the second Mason and Shawn Koch, who both shot Hines won a 3-players-for-2-spots playoff round, closed with a 68 to place 4th at 277. 73-73—146. Tim Weinhart led after an in Tennessee after posting a 143 total, with Players Amateur: Schniederjans was opening 69, but slipped to a 78 in the after- Werenski sharing medalist honors in his also the low Georgian in the Players noon round of the one-day event, placing native Massachusetts at 137. Amateur at Berkeley Hall in Bluffton, S.C., 4th at 147. Alpharetta’s Franco Castro, who plays which was played the same week as the Seth McCain and Craig Stevens tied for
28 GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM AUGUST 2013 Golf FORE Juniors
take 1st in the girls by one over Alissa Yang shot 73-69—142 to finish one in front of of Norcross. Gee in boys 15-18. JonErik Alford was the At the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Highlands 11-14 winner with scores of 71-70-141. Course, Griffin’s Tye Waller shot 74-68— Yang won by 10 in girls 15-18, shooting 142 to take the boys 16-19 division. Steven 72-70—142, with Marietta’s Marisa Wysocki of Hoschton was 2nd at 143 fol- Mukherjee the 11-14 winner at 161. lowed by Cody Johnson of Norcross at Kevin Burns of Canton won boys 15-18 144. In the 14-15 age group, Dacula’s Peter in an HJGT event at Wexford Plantation on Chong was 2nd at 153 and Suwanee’s Hilton Head Island. JonErik Alford Morgan Reece Brett Barron 3rd at 154. At the Clemson University course, Hannah Mae Deems was the girls Madison Caldwell of Dawsonville won Marshall Kent. Decatur’s Drew Smith shot winner with scores of 73-77—150. Annie girls 15-18 with scores of 71-73—144. Alford scores 76 to win the 14-15 division, with Conner Swords of Newnan and Isabella Skinner Anna Buchanan of Athens was 2nd at 147. victory at UGA Conkel of Buford 2nd at 80. Brendan of Cumming tied for 2nd at 154. Jackson Bishop of Gainesville shot Patton of Roswell won the 11-13 age At Brunswick CC, Valdosta’s Luukas 69-69—138 to tie for 1st in boys 15-18, but Roswell’s JonErik Alford shot 3-under 139 group with a 72, followed by Atlantans Alakulppi shot 68-69—137 to win the lost the playoff. on the demanding University of Georgia Jordan Secret and Daniel McKenzie at 78. boys 14-15 and overall titles. Justin Kim of course to win a recent Georgia PGA Junior Woo Wade was the girls winner at 88. Rome and Alexander DeRosa of Atlanta Tour event by eight strokes. tied for 2nd at 144. Scott Odell of Claxton Tardy, Baik take Alford posted scores of 69 and 70, with was the 16-19 winner at 145 followed by AJGA tournaments Buford’s S.M. Lee and Athens’ Keller Chandler takes Mark David Johnson at 148 and Austin Harper tying for 2nd at 147. All three com- 2 SJGT titles Daniel at 149, both from St. Simons. Bailey Tardy of Norcross and Ji Eun peted in the 14-15 age group. Jonathan St. Simons’ Thomas Hogan was 1st in Baik of Newnan won recent American Martin of Roswell shot 149 to win the The Southeastern Junior Tour played five 12-13, shooting 72-73—145. Jackson Junior Golf Association tournaments 16-18 division by two over Parker events in Georgia in July, with a scheduled Toole was 2nd at 149 and Davis Carter of outside Georgia. Plageman of Griffin. sixth tournament at West Lake in Augusta Valdosta 3rd at 150. Tardy won the girls division of a tourna- Tommy Su of Johns Creek was the 11-13 rained out. Kayley Marschke of Suwanee shot ment in Louisiana, shooting 3-under 216 winner at 150, followed by Bailey Smith of At Forest Heights in Statesboro, four 71-73—144 to win girls 15-19 by two over for 54 holes to finish eight ahead of the Buckhead at 160 and Andy Mao of Johns players tied for 1st at 72 in the 16-19 divi- Jordan Daniel of Norcross. St. Simons’ runner-up. Tardy, who had 14 birdies for the Creek at 161. Morgan Reece of Gainesville sion after the second round was washed Julianna Collett shot 167 to take the 12-14 week, posted scores of 70-74-72, posting shot 167 to win the girls division by one out. Shooting 72 were Brandon age group. the low score of the day in each round. over Dunwoody’s Woo Wade. Alsobrook of Powder Springs, Tyler Key of Anna Buchanan was 8th at 234. The Georgia PGA Junior Tour conducted Moultrie, Carter Mobley of Waynesboro Baik won by two shots at The Ledges in three one day tournaments last month as and Cameron Shiels of Statesboro. Lee wins twice Huntsville, Ala., with a 2-over 215 total. part of its annual Summer Series. Results Jay Mobley of Waynesboro and Playing in her final junior event, Baik shot from the three events: Chandler Eaton of Alpharetta tied for 1st on Hurricane Tour 70 in the final round as she rallied from a At TPC Sugarloaf, Jake Thomas of in 14-15 at 74, with Jackson Toole of Lyons The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour made 3-stroke deficit early in the day. Baik will be Cumming and S.M. Lee both shot 72 to tie shooting 74 to win the 11-13 age group by three recent stops in the state, visiting River a freshman on the Mississippi State golf for 1st. Thomas was the 16-18 age group one over Chase Weathers of St. Mary’s. Forest, White Oak and Royal Lakes. team this Fall. Kayla Jones of Alpharetta winner, followed by Marshall Kent of Megan Sabol of Martinez shot 73 to edge At Royal Lakes, S.M. Lee shot 69-73— was 3rd at 221. Milton at 73. Brady Keran of Canton was Kayla Wilbourn of Cairo by one in the 142 to win boys 15-18 by three over In other AJGA events outside Georgia 2nd in 14-15 with a 73. Andy Mao shot 71 girls division. Barrett Waters of Dallas. Evans Copeland last month: to win the 11-13 division, one ahead of In the Heath Slocum Invitational at of Columbus was the 11-14 winners at 151, S.M. Lee tied for 3rd at Champions Gate Carter Pendley of Dalton and Austin Hawks Ridge in Ball Ground, Will Chandler two ahead of Jordan Rodriguez of Buford. in Florida with 3-under 213 total, seven Heider of Evans. Jakari Harris of Atlanta of Atlanta shot 72-69—141 to win the boys Nicole Latka of Roswell won girls 15-18 at shots behind the winner. Dunwoody’s won the girls division with an 84, one shot 14-15 division by six strokes. Spencer 158, one in front of Christie Blaurock of Marlon Byrd, the GSGA Junior champion, ahead of Decatur’s Ayanna Habeel. Papciak of Dunwoody was the 16-19 Dacula and Morgan Reece. The 11-14 tied for 6th in an event in Maryland at At Ansley Golf Club’s Settindown Creek, winner with scores of 68-75—143, two winner was Grace Choi of Buford at 169. 1-under 215, six in back of the winner. Ryan Joiner of Roswell shot 76 to tie for 1st ahead of Reid Rathburn of Milton and Will Lee also won the boys 15-18 division at Atlanta’s Jack Larkin tied for 8th in overall and win the 14-15 division by nine Duma of Atlanta. Canongate-on-White Oak with a 146 total. Huntsville at 1-over 214, with Lee and strokes. Callum Newton of Decatur and In the Dogwood Junior at Druid Hills, Tying for 2nd at 148 were Nickolaus Budd Gainesville’s Spencer Ralston T10 at 215. Phillip Westberry of Snellville shot 76 in Will Duma shot back-to-back 70s for a 140 of Woodstock, Connor Coffee of Peachtree In the Davis Love Junior at Sea Island the 16-18 age group, one ahead of Atlanta’s total to win the 16-19 division by two over City and Henry Gee of Hiram. Austin Golf Club’s Plantation course, Zach Healy Keller Austin. Carter Pendley was the Atlanta’s Kevin Jackson. Will Chandler Fulton of Villa Rica shot 71-68—139 to take of Norcross and Sabrina Long of 11-13 winner at 78, with Grant Sutliff of was the 14-15 winner for the second the 11-14 division by three over Peachtree Alpharetta placed 2nd in the boys and girls Suwanee 2nd at 82. Ayanna Habeel was straight time with scores of 69-74—143, City’s Jake Milanowski. Ivy Shepherd of divisions. Healy shot 71-68-70 to finish at 1st in the girls division with a 90. five ahead of Douglas Annan of Avondale Peachtree City shot 153 to finish two ahead 7-under 209, but was overtaken in the final At East Lake, Newnan’s Carson Vaughn Estates. Tyler Lipscomb of Carrollton shot of Alissa Yang in girls 15-18, with Jenny round by a golfer from Taiwan who shot 67 shot 1-under 71 to win the boys overall and 153 and won the 11-13 division in a playoff Bae of Lawrenceville the 11-14 winner at the final day. 16-18 titles. Tying for 2nd at 76 in 16-18 over Nicolas Cassidy of Alpharetta and 148. Christyn Carr of Johns Creek was 2nd were Steven Schlenk of Milton, Alexander Preston Topper of Suwanee. Hannah Mae at 154. Quinn of Grayson, Parker Plageman and Deems of Taylorsville shot 76-74—150 to At River Forest in Forsyth, Milanowski [ See Juniors, page 30 ]
2013 AUGUST GOLFFOREGEORGIA.COM 29 Juniors [ Continued from page 29 ] MRCNJNO OFASSOCIATION GOLF JUNIOR AMERICAN Long led by three shots after an opening 70, and was tied at 145 going to the final round, but finished six behind the winner after a final round 79. Katy Harris of St. Simons was 4th at 226, with Abbey Williams of Marietta and Kayley Marschke T7 at 233 and Mary Ellen Shuman of St. Simons T9 at 234. TopTToopp ReasonsRReeasons toto JoinJoin thethhe TourTToour Harry Lambert of Suwanee tied for 4th PlayPlay grgreateat ccoursesourses such as EEastast LakLakee GC, TPC SugarSugarloafloaf in the boys division at 212, shooting 67 in & SeaSea IslandIsland GC the final round. Albany’s Tyler Joiner rebounded from an opening 79, posting MMembershipembership BBenefitsenefits PackagesPackages scores of 71 and 63 the final two days to tie EconomicallyEconomically prpricediced & close toto home for 7th at 213. Joiner had eight birdies and MMostost competitivecompetitive & professionallyproffeessionally runrun junior programprogram in GeorgiaGeorgia an eagle in his 63. Ryan Stachler of AJGA PBE exemptedexempted eventsevents & all 36-hole Alpharetta tied for 10th at 214, and Kyle tournamentstournaments araree JGS rrankedanked Mueller of Watkinsville closed with scores Fun,Fun,, lifetimeliffeetietimeme relationshiprelationship building eventsevents The SeasonSeason of 70-67 to tie for 14th at 216. Bailey Tardy Expanded summer serseriesies schedule In the E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor hashas started!sttaartteed! Championship at Jones Creek in Augusta, GraduateGraduate division fo fforor ages 19-21 SoSo RegisterRegister Sarah Harrison of Martinez and Marlon Also qualifying were Michael Pisciotta Byrd both finished as runners-up. of Alpharetta, Spencer Ralston, Now!Now! Harrison was 2nd in the girls division at Jonathan Keppler of Marietta and 2013201313 TourTToour Schedule 223, 5 behind the winner, with Michaela Carter Mobley. Owen 3rd at 226, Byrd shot a final round 69 Prior to competing in the U.S. Junior, MAR 9-10 JuniorJunior PineyPiney WWoodsoods @ GlenGlen ArvenArven CC,CC, ThomasvilleThomasville for a 2-under 214 total, but wound up 12 Jacob Joiner won the Future Masters in MAR 23-24 CountryCountry CClublub of CColumbus,olumbus, CColumbusolumbus behind Alabama’s Connor Smith, one of Dothan, Ala., firing a final round 64 for an APR 1-2 NorthNorth GGeorgiaeorgia High SchoolSchool GolfGolf Classic,Classic, AchastaAchasta GolfGolf Club,Club, DDahlonega*ahlonega* APR 20-21 O Oglethorpeglethorpe JuniorJunior InvitationalInvitational @ WWilmingtonilmington IIslandsland CClub,lub, SSavannahavannah the country’s top juniors. Hunter Dunagan 8-under 202 total. Kyle Mueller closed JUN 3-4 GA PGA JuniorJunior ChampionshipChampionship @ GolfGolf ClubClub atat Cuscowilla,Cuscowilla, EatontonEatonton of Martinez and John Yi of Marietta tied for with a 67 to take 2nd at 207. JUN 26-27 StoneStone MMountainountain GolfGolf Club,Clubb,, StoneStone MMountainountain 8th at 221, with Ryan Stachler 10th at 222. Tying for 8th at 211 were Steven Fisk of JUL 8-9 UniversityUniversity of GGeorgiaeorgia GGolfolf CCourse,ourse, AAthensthens Joiner was the top finisher among Stockbridge, who shot 66 the second day, AUGAUG 5-6 GovernorsGovernors TowneTToowne Club,Club, AcworthAcworth AUGAUG 17-18 CallawayCallaway GGardensardens RResort,esort, PinePine MMountainountain Georgia juniors in the Rolex Tournament of and Will Duma, who opened with a 67. SEPT 7-8 S Savannahavannah QuartersQuarters CountryCountry CClub,lubb,, PPoolerooler Champions in Lancaster, Pa., tying for 21st. James Clark of Columbus was T12 at 212. SEPT 21-22 TheThe GeorgiaGeorgia Club,Clubb,, StathamStatham Roswell’s Rinko Mitsunaga was T11 in the OctOct 12-13 ChattahoocheeChattahoochee GGolfolf CCourse,ourse, GGainesvilleainesville girls division with a 294 total. NOV 2-3 CoosaCoosa CountryCountry CClub,lub, RRomeome Sapp, Stafford win DEC 14-15 JuniorJunior TourTToour Championship,Championship, SeaSea IslandIsland GC,, St.St.. SSimonsimons IslandIsland Summer Series (18-Hole) Tardy captures State Parks events JUN TBATBA medalist honors The Georgia State Parks Junior Golf Tour JUL 11 TPC @ SugarSugarloaf,loaff,, DuluthDuluth held tournaments last month at Jekyll JUL 16 AnsleyAnsley GGolfolf CClublub SSettindownettindown CCreek,reek, RRoswelloswell Bailey Tardy was the medalist in stroke Island GC and the Lakes at Laura Walker in JUL 23 EastEast LakeLake GolfGolf Club,Clubb,, AtlantaAtlanta *Boys*Booyyyss only eventevvent play qualifying for last month’s U.S. Girls Waycross. The event at Laura Walker was Championship in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Tardy shot reduced to 27 holes due to inclement 69-69—138, 6-under par, to lead the quali- weather. fying by one stroke and earn the top seed. Warren Sapp of Blackshear was the Tardy won her opening match before boys 16-18 winner at Laura Walker, being eliminated in the second round. shooting a second round 72 for a 110 total. Rinko Mitsunaga also qualified for match Trey May of Claxton shot 116 to edge play, but lost in the opening round. Also Charles Jarrett of Jefferson by one in the qualifying for the championship but failing 14-15 division, with Zac Thornton of to advance to match play were Eunice Yi of Bristol the 12-13 winner at 119, one ahead Evans, Michaela Owen of Suwanee, Annie of Ethan Davidson of Leesburg. Swords, Payton Schanen of Alpharetta, Lynn-Marie Carter of Lyons shot 121 to Megan Carter of Blackshear and Diane win the girls 14-15 division by one over Lim of Norcross. Mariah Kuranga of Decatur, with Lim won a qualifier at Cartersville CC Elizabeth Burns of St. Simons the 16-18 with a 74, with Owen taking 1st in a quali- winner at 125. Autumn-Lee Carter of fier in Prattville, Ala. Lyons was 1st in 12-13 at 130. Albany’s Jacob Joiner was the lone At Jekyll Island, Harrison Stafford of Georgian to qualify for match play in the Savannah was the boys winner at 149, with ToTo signn up & gegetett the dedetails,ttaails, visitvis us online U.S. Junior Championship, played last Camden Collins of Tifton 2nd at 151. georgiapga.comgeorrggiapga.ccooom month in California. Joiner tied for 38th Thomas Hogan took the 12-13 age group with a 148 total before losing his first at 146. The girls winner was London Or contaccontactt SScottcott GordonGordon at 678-461-8600 or [email protected]@pgahq.com. round match. Stuckey of Jesup with a 168 total.
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