Southern Golf Association ….. News January, 2012
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Southern Golf ASSociAtion ….. neWS January, 2012 SGA StArtS 111 th YeAr ; Southern Am At LittLe rock ’S chenAL countrY cLub BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The storied Southern Golf Association enters its 111th year, with its premier event, the 106th Southern Amateur Championship, slated for play July 18-21 at chenal country club in Little Rock, AR. As has become the norm, the field will include many amateurs ranked among the top players in the U.S. and the world. The Southern Am, once the purview of well-heeled Southerners, has evolved into a national and international competition consistently judged among the top eight amateur events in the world. Ten years ago, the Southern Am field, previously restricted to entrants from SGA-member Southern Club and collegiate players within the traditional 14 southern states, was opened to worldwide entries. The 2011 Southern Am at Innisbrook Resort in Florida reflected that broad participation with players from 33 states and 9 foreign countries. As many as 700 entries are now received each year for the Southern Am , the field pared down to 168 through exemptions for the most accomplished players and a series of 20 local qualifiers scattered throughout the South and a few other states. A “national” qualifier is held at the tournament site on the Monday of tournament week to give appli - cants an extra shot at a berth in the field. While other amateur events sought to attract players with lavish gifts and perks from corporate sponsors, the SGA directors voted to continue its practice of simply putting on a first-class tournament in the true spirit of amateurism – stroke play with roving rules officials. The formula has resulted in rising respect for the Southern Am. in 2004 golf icon Arnold Palmer began extending a sponsor exemption into the PGA tour Arnold Palmer invitational at bay hill for the reigning Southern Am champ – provided he remained an amateur when the API is played the following spring. This year will mark the first time since that enticement was offered that the exemption will go unused because reigning champ Harris English of Georgia turned pro and earned his playing card on the PGA Tour. The Southern Am annually moves about the south, setting up shop at some of the country’s most prestigious and storied courses. Recent venues have included The Homestead, The Honors Course, Shoal Creek, CC of Birmingham, Colonial CC (Memphis), CC of North Carolina at Pinehurst, Lake Nona, East Lake Golf Club and The Dunes (Myrtle Beach). In addition to English, past winners include such notables as bobby Jones, Freddie haas, Gay brewer, billy Joe Patton, hubert Green, Vinny Giles, Lanny Wadkins, ben crenshaw, bill rogers, bob tway, Justin Leonard , Little Rock’s own Alex carpenter , and current rising PGA Tour stars Webb Simpson and kyle Stanley . Although this will be the Southern Am’s first appearance at Chenal CC, the toney Little Rock club hosted the Southern Junior Championship in 2007. The 40th Junior will be played this year in Pinehurst, June 13-15, at CCNC. The Southern Junior is carving its own glowing legacy, also attracting top players from the U.S. and foreign countries. Its own honor roll of winners include Leonard (twice) and Charles Howell (three times). The SGA added a third tournament this year reviving the long-dormant Southern States Four-ball , which was played eight times just before and after World War II with the heavy involvement of the legendary Bobby Jones. After a hiatus of more than 60 years, the 9th Southern States Four-Ball was played this year in mid-January at challenging Mayacoo Lakes CC in West Palm, Florida. Plans call for continuing the event annually in South Florida. In addition to the three annual tournaments, the Southern Golf Association further promotes and recognizes am - ateur golf excellence with its own Hall of Fame and its National Amateur of the Month award. The SGA hall , established by the board of directors in 1972, pays tribute to those who had distinguished amateur playing records or contributed greatly to the game in other ways. To date, 23 honorees have been inducted, as the highly-selective SGA does not install a new member every year. The most recent to be inducted was Hubert Green, a PGA Tour star and major champion as well as a two-time Southern Am champion. The national Amateur of the month award, which is generally presented from March through October, launched in 2003. It has grown in prestige to the point that college publicists routinely campaign for players at their schools and the tasteful acrylic plaque is often formally presented to the winner in special ceremonies at football and baseball games or even in the winner’s hometown city council meetings. Little Rock’s Alex Carpenter is among several who have won the award twice. The monthly award winners are selected by a blue-ribbon national panel of golf officials, college coaches and golf journalists. the Southern Golf Association is run by a board of Directors, usually about 40, who are devoted to golf. Many of them have earned high scores from the USGA for their rules proficiency. They serve unselfishly without pay and without reimbursement for travel expenses to the SGA events. Current president is Tommy Culp, a decorated Houston businessman and former SMU golfer. The Association and its events are administered by a small professional staff headed by Executive Secretary Buford McCarty and based in Birmingham. Long-time syndicated sports columnist and author Larry Guest serves as media li - aison. Additional information and news can be found on the association’s website, www.sgagolf.com.