Memphis Golf Association - 2011 MGA Mid-Amateur Championship Results

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Dates: Oct 15 - Oct 16
Course: Chickasaw Country Club (Memphis, TN)

Par and Total Yardage By Division
Chickasaw Country Club(Par: 72 Distance: 6720)  
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RECAP
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2011 MGA Mid-Amateur Championship

Chickasaw Country Club (both days)

 

Mike Albonetti of Windyke Country Club won his first Memphis Golf Association individual title after firing rounds of 72-70--142 at Chickasaw Country Club. He won by four strokes over Kevin Hayes (73-73--146) and Rob Tayloe (72-74--146).



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Results for contest Overall Results:
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 1   Mike Albonetti      72-70--142 -2  
 T2  Kevin Hayes         73-73--146 +2  
 T2  Rob Tayloe          72-74--146 +2  
 T4  Ben Fisher          74-73--147 +3  
 T4  Justin Gosa         73-74--147 +3  
 6   Erin McDonald       72-76--148 +4  
 T7  Keith Schmitt       75-74--149 +5  
 T7  Danny Dennis        74-75--149 +5  
 T7  Bill Garner         72-77--149 +5  
 T10 James Ray           77-73--150 +6  
 T10 Larry DuPree        75-75--150 +6  
 12  Kirk Bailey         79-73--152 +8  
 T13 Fred McCord         78-75--153 +9  
 T13 Spence Wilson Jr    76-77--153 +9  
 T13 Dan Barton          75-78--153 +9  
 T16 Randy Songstad      79-75--154 +10
 T16 Gary Simpson        75-79--154 +10
 T16 Charles Slatery     74-80--154 +10
 T19 Michael Rosamond    79-76--155 +11
 T19 Benjamin Barksdale  76-79--155 +11
 21  Kendrick Jones      80-78--158 +14
 T22 Jason Shelby        84-75--159 +15
 T22 Kevin Connolly      81-78--159 +15
 T22 Michael Kelfer      76-83--159 +15
 25  Matthew Mitchell    80-81--161 +17
 T26 Chris Badciong      84-78--162 +18
 T26 Bruce Stein         83-79--162 +18
 28  Lance Province      83-82--165 +21
 T29 Thomas Mayberry     84-82--166 +22
 T29 Jason Saenger       80-86--166 +22
 31  Matthew Wages       82-85--167 +23
 T32 Steve Phillips      84-84--168 +24
 T32 Kevin Herzke        77-91--168 +24
 34  Kevin Ratzlaff      86-83--169 +25
 T35 Ed Williamson       88-82--170 +26
 T35 Wesley Crump        84-86--170 +26
 T35 Thomas Graham       83-87--170 +26
 T38 Bill Shirley        87-84--171 +27
 T38 Mitch Mrdja         83-88--171 +27
 40  Chad Spencer        84-89--173 +29
 41  Joel Bailey         93-85--178 +34
 42  Kevin Caraway       90-94--184 +40

DID NOT FINISH

 WD  Bill Edwards        +5             
 WD  Scott Womack        +6             
 WD  West Newman                        
 WD  Alex Brown                         


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tennessee Golf Association

WATERS PREVAILS IN PLAYOFF; NANCARROW CAPTURES SUPER SENIOR
 
(Chattanooga) With the weather co-operating, the players did the same which produced a dramatic ending to the 41st Annual Senior Amateur Championship, which was contested at Council Fire GC. While the Super Senior division was won outright, the Championship division was settled by a playoff.
 
Ron Waters (Alcoa) captured the Championship division, winning with a par on the third playoff hole. Waters’ place in the playoff wasn’t secured until he made an eagle on the last hole of regulation. That eagle gave Waters a round of one under par 70 to finish the 54 holes at 3 under par 213. Overnight leader Doug Harris (Franklin) closed with a 2 over par 74 to find himself tied with Waters in the playoff. The Senior Amateur is Waters, the coach of the Maryville Men’s Golf team, first state title in his first try as a senior.
 
Jim Nancarrow (Loudon) played consistent golf over the three days and the result was a victory in the Super Senior division. Nancarrow shot a round of 3 over par 75 to finish the championship at 7 over par 223. Finishing in a tie for second were Bill Crawford (Nashville) and Ron Bargatze (Whitehouse), two shots back of the champion.
 
The 41st Annual Tennessee Senior Amateur Championship is one of fifteen that the Tennessee Golf Association conducts on an annual basis. For more information on the Tennessee Senior Amateur Championship, please visit www.tnsenioram.com or for more information on the Tennessee Golf Association, please visit us at www.golfhousetennessee.com/tga.
 
Final round results follow…
 
          41st Annual Tennessee Senior Amateur Championship
            Council Fire Golf Club
            Chattanooga, Tenn.
            Championship
                Ron Waters, Alcoa, Tenn. - 75-67-71--213
                Doug Harris, Franklin, Tenn. - 69-70-74--213
                Buzz Fly, Memphis, Tenn. - 72-70-73--215
                Larry Dupree, Germantown, Tenn. - 74-71-71--216
                Steve Golliher, Knoxville, Tenn. - 72-70-74--216
                Garry Siddons, Knoxville, Tenn. - 71-73-74--218
                Bob Clark, Cordova, Tenn. - 74-75-70--219
                Tom Baird, Signal Mountain, Tenn. - 72-74-74--220
                Jim Brown, Loudon, Tenn. - 70-74-76--220
                Neil Spitalny, Chattanooga, Tenn. - 73-76-73--222
                Dennis Vaughn, Germantown, Tenn. - 74-72-76--222
                Tim Dinwiddie, Afton, Tenn. - 79-71-73--223
                Bill Argabrite, Kingsport, Tenn. - 76-74-73--223
                Mike Carroll, Knoxville, Tenn. - 72-74-77--223
                Rick Mixon, Knoxville, Tenn. - 77-69-77--223
                Scotty Felker, Smyrna, Tenn. - 72-71-80--223
                Dan Schorsten, Hendersonville, Tenn. - 72-77-75--224
                Harry Hill, Chattanooga, Tenn. - 74-76-75--225
                Larry McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. - 72-75-78--225
                Wes Gilliland, Hixson, Tenn. - 69-79-77--225
                Spencer Smith, Greeneville, Tenn. - 75-75-76--226
                Gene Lomax, Gallatin, Tenn. - 75-75-77--227
                Randall Yoder, Chattanooga, Tenn. - 75-75-78--228
                George Lloyd, South Pittsburg, Tenn. - 79-73-77--229
                William Meadows, Burns, Tenn. - 74-74-82--230
                Steven Cisco, Lebanon, Tenn. - 76-75-80--231
                Sam Bounds, Corryton, Tenn. - 78-74-80--232
                Doug Ryerson, Mt. Juliet, Tenn. - 72-80-82--234
                James Felker, Franklin, Tenn. - 76-77-81--234
                Gary Baldwin, Cleveland, Tenn. - 74-78-82--234
                Tim Thompson, Memphis, Tenn. - 75-77-WD--WD
            Super Senior
                Jim Nancarrow, Loudon, Tenn. - 76-72-75--223
                Ron Bargatze, Whitehouse, Tenn. - 76-77-72--225
                Bill Crawford, Nashville, Tenn. - 76-75-74--225
                Don Midgett, Tullahoma, Tenn. - 77-79-73--229
                Gary Pierce, Franklin, Tenn. - 74-79-77--230
                Jeremy Dick, Farragut, Tenn. - 75-76-79--230
                Bill Love, Knoxville, Tenn. - 74-74-82--230
                Rock Saraceni, Knoxville, Tenn. - 76-75-80--231
                Jack Garner, Athens, Tenn. - 79-75-79--233
                Jamie Sevier, Franklin, Tenn. - 78-77-78--233
                Ronnie Law, Chattanooga, Tenn. - 76-82-76--234
                Wayne Crook, Lebanon, Tenn. - 81-78-76--235
                Ron Kilgore, Knoxville, Tenn. - 80-79-77--236
                Don Rogers, Morristown, Tenn. - 80-80-77--237
                Bill Orellana, Brentwood, Tenn. - 83-75-79--237
                Craig Goldate, Germantown, Tenn. - 81-76-81--238
                Larry Denney, Loudon, Tenn. - 81-79-80--240
                Tommy Shearon Jr, Clarksville, Tenn. - 79-80-82--241

Memphis Golf Association - 2011 MGA Amateur Championship Results  -  Powered by BlueGolf
Click here for complete tournament results
Dates: Aug 9 - Aug 11
Courses: Ridgeway Country Club(Memphis, TN), Colonial Country Club - South Course(Cordova, TN), Windyke Country Club - East(Memphis, TN)

Par and Total Yardage By Division
Ridgeway Country Club(Par: 71 Distance: 7013)  
Windyke Country Club - East(Par: 72 Distance: 7214)  
Colonial Country Club - South Course(Par: 72 Distance: 7334)  
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RECAP
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Fly Holds On For MGA Amateur Win

Jonathan Fly struggled to a final round 76 at Colonial Country Club's South Course but held on for a one stroke victory in the MGA Amateur over Bobby Hudson, who started the day six strokes off the lead.  Hudson's 71, the low round of the day, earned him his fourth runner-up finish out of the last five MGA Amateur Championships.

Fly followed a first round 69 at Ridgeway Country Club with a second round 68 at Windyke Country Club's East course.  His final round 76 left him with a 2 under par 213 total for the championship.  Hudson (70-73-71--214) moved into second over Ben Fisher (72-70-78--220).



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Results for contest Overall Results:
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 1   Jonathan Fly      69-68-76--213 -2    
 2   Bobby Hudson      70-73-71--214 -1    
 3   Ben Fisher        72-70-78--220 +5    
 4   Matthew Mitchell  75-80-72--227 +12   
 5   Chad Tidwell      76-71-83--230 +15   
 6   Michael Rosamond  76-74-81--231 +16   
 T7  Chase Weldon      76-79-77--232 +17   
 T7  Alex Brown        75-75-82--232 +17   
 T9  Kendrick Jones    77-78-78--233 +18   
 T9  Keith Schmitt     78-79-76--233 +18   
 11  Rush Patterson    77-80-78--235 +20   
 12  Michael Collie    82-75-79--236 +21   
 T13 Bob Adams         83-74-81--238 +23   
 T13 Thomas Graham     75-81-82--238 +23   
 T13 Steve Thielemier  75-74-89--238 +23   
 16  Chris Badciong    78-84-77--239 +24   
 17  Randy Songstad    79-84-77--240 +25   
 18  Mitch Mrdja       78-83-85--246 +31   
 19  West Newman       78-84-87--249 +34   
 20  Shad Williams     80-86-85--251 +36   
 21  Kevin Ratzlaff    84-81-88--253 +38   
 22  Scott Emerson     81-89-89--259 +44   
 23  Matthew Newman    81-88-93--262 +47   
 T24 Ed Williamson     89-86-88--263 +48   
 T24 Kevin Connolly    87-84-92--263 +48   
 26  Todd Majors       82-91-94--267 +52   
 27  Bailey Lowery     88-89-92--269 +54   
 28  Powers Manley     92-100-85--277 +62  
 29  Kevin Herzke      95-88-99--282 +67   
 30  Jay Phebus        99-92-99--290 +75   
 31  Martin Lyle       95-100-112--307 +92

DID NOT FINISH

 WD  Derek Denman      +13                 
 DQ  Larry DuPree      +21                 
 DQ  Jonathan Sandor   +38      

Memphis Golf Association - 2011 MGA Amateur Championship Results  -  Powered by BlueGolf
Click here for complete tournament results
Dates: Aug 9 - Aug 11
Courses: Ridgeway Country Club(Memphis, TN), Colonial Country Club - South Course(Cordova, TN), Windyke Country Club - East(Memphis, TN)

Par and Total Yardage By Division
Ridgeway Country Club(Par: 71 Distance: 7013)  
Windyke Country Club - East(Par: 72 Distance: 7214)  
Colonial Country Club - South Course(Par: 72 Distance: 7334)  
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RECAP
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Jonathan Fly Extends Lead in MGA Amateur Championship

 

Defending champion, Jonathan Fly (69-68--137) extended his lead to five strokes heading into the final round of the MGA Amateur Championship at Colonial Country Club.  Ben Fisher (72-70--142) moved into second place, while Bobby Hudson (70-73--143) is alone in third place.



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Results for contest Overall Results:
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 1   Jonathan Fly      69-68--137 -6   
 2   Ben Fisher        72-70--142 -1   
 3   Bobby Hudson      70-73--143 E    
 4   Chad Tidwell      76-71--147 +4   
 5   Steve Thielemier  75-74--149 +6   
 T6  Alex Brown        75-75--150 +7   
 T6  Michael Rosamond  76-74--150 +7   
 8   Thomas Graham     73-81--154 +11  
 T9  Matthew Mitchell  75-80--155 +12  
 T9  Chase Weldon      76-79--155 +12  
 T9  Kendrick Jones    77-78--155 +12  
 T12 Keith Schmitt     78-79--157 +14  
 T12 Michael Collie    82-75--157 +14  
 T12 Rush Patterson    77-80--157 +14  
 T12 Bob Adams         83-74--157 +14  
 T12 Larry DuPree      75-82--157 +14  
 17  Jonathan Sandor   83-77--160 +17  
 18  Mitch Mrdja       78-83--161 +18  
 T19 Chris Badciong    78-84--162 +19  
 T19 West Newman       78-84--162 +19  
 21  Randy Songstad    79-84--163 +20  
 22  Kevin Ratzlaff    84-81--165 +22  
 23  Shad Williams     80-86--166 +23  
 24  Matthew Newman    81-88--169 +26  
 25  Scott Emerson     81-89--170 +27  
 26  Kevin Connolly    87-84--171 +28  
 27  Todd Majors       82-91--173 +30  
 28  Ed Williamson     89-86--175 +32  
 29  Bailey Lowery     88-89--177 +34  
 30  Kevin Herzke      95-88--183 +40  
 31  Jay Phebus        99-92--191 +48  
 32  Powers Manley     92-100--192 +49
 33  Martin Lyle       95-100--195 +52

DID NOT FINISH

 WD  Derek Denman      +13          

Memphis Golf Association - 2011 MGA Amateur Championship Results  -  Powered by BlueGolf
Click here for complete tournament results
Dates: Aug 9 - Aug 11
Courses: Ridgeway Country Club(Memphis, TN), Colonial Country Club - South Course(Cordova, TN), Windyke Country Club - East(Memphis, TN)

Par and Total Yardage By Division
Ridgeway Country Club(Par: 71 Distance: 7013)  
Windyke Country Club - East(Par: 72 Distance: 7214)  
Colonial Country Club - South Course(Par: 72 Distance: 7334)  
============================================================
RECAP
============================================================
Defending Champion Jonathan Fly of Spring Creek Ranch has the early lead in the 2011 MGA Amateur Championship after opening with a two under par 69 at Ridgeway Country Club.  He leads last week's winner of the TGA State Amateur Championship, Bobby Hudson of Memphis Country Club, by one stroke. Hudson's round of 70 included two eagles, the second coming on a dramatic pitch-in from short of the 18th green.  Ben Fisher of Windyke Country Club (72) is alone in third place. Round two is at Windyke Country Club's East Course and the final round on Thursday will be held at Colonial Country Club's South Course.

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Results for contest Overall Results:
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 1   Jonathan Fly      34-35--69 -2  
 2   Bobby Hudson      36-34--70 -1  
 3   Ben Fisher        34-38--72 +1  
 4   Thomas Graham     36-37--73 +2  
 T5  Matthew Mitchell  37-38--75 +4  
 T5  Alex Brown        38-37--75 +4  
 T5  Steve Thielemier  38-37--75 +4  
 T5  Larry DuPree      38-37--75 +4  
 T9  Chase Weldon      35-41--76 +5  
 T9  Chad Tidwell      37-39--76 +5  
 T9  Michael Rosamond  36-40--76 +5  
 T12 Kendrick Jones    38-39--77 +6  
 T12 Rush Patterson    38-39--77 +6  
 T14 Keith Schmitt     41-37--78 +7  
 T14 Chris Badciong    41-37--78 +7  
 T14 West Newman       38-40--78 +7  
 T14 Mitch Mrdja       40-38--78 +7  
 18  Randy Songstad    37-42--79 +8  
 19  Shad Williams     39-41--80 +9  
 T20 Scott Emerson     42-39--81 +10
 T20 Matthew Newman    38-43--81 +10
 T22 Michael Collie    47-35--82 +11
 T22 Todd Majors       39-43--82 +11
 T24 Jonathan Sandor   40-43--83 +12
 T24 Bob Adams         42-41--83 +12
 T26 Kevin Ratzlaff    40-44--84 +13
 T26 Derek Denman      41-43--84 +13
 28  Kevin Connolly    44-43--87 +16
 29  Bailey Lowery     45-43--88 +17
 30  Ed Williamson     45-44--89 +18
 31  Powers Manley     46-46--92 +21
 T32 Martin Lyle       47-48--95 +24
 T32 Kevin Herzke      49-46--95 +24
 34  Jay Phebus        49-50--99 +28

Click here for COMPLETE RESULTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From the Tennessee Golf Association
August 5, 2011

BOBBY HUDSON CAPTURES WEATHER SHORTENED 96TH ANNUAL TENNESSEE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

(Cordova, TN) Lightning and storms delayed the final round of the 96th Annual Tennessee Amateur Championship which was being conducted at Colonial Country Club's South Course. Play was suspended at 10:26 a.m. CDT and never resumed. The final round was ultimately cancelled at 3:30 p.m. CDT and third round leader Bobby Hudson was declared the champion. Hudson becomes the thirteenth player to win multiple Tennessee Amateur Championships as he also won the 2007 event at Belle Meade Country Club.

The Tennessee Amateur Championship is one of fifteen state championships that the Tennessee Golf Association conducts on an annual basis. For more information on the Tennessee Golf Association visit us online at www.golfhousetennessee.com/tga or for more information on the Tennessee Amateur Championship including updated results log onto www.tnamateur.com.

Tennessee Golf Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2011

BRETT BARRY LEADS AFTER SECOND ROUND OF TENNESSEE AMATEUR


(Cordova, TN)  First round co-leader Brett Barry fired a second round 71 (1-under-par) to finish at 140 (4-under-par) and take sole lead after two rounds at the 96th Annual Tennessee Amateur Championship which is being conducted on Colonial Country Club’s South Course in Cordova, TN. For the two rounds Barry has amassed a total of thirteen birdies on the extremely challenging course.  


One shot back of Barry is Craig Smith who followed up his opening round 70 with 71 (1-under-par) to finish at 141. Smith made a move on the front nine today with two birdies and an eagle before a bogey on the par-4 eighth hole. Making a big move today was David Apperson, the 1986 Tennessee Amateur Champion, who fired a 71 (1-under-par) today to finish at 145 and is in solo third place.


The 7,334-yard South Course at Colonial Country Club is well known as being one of the most difficult and challenging golf courses in Tennessee which proved to be the case for the first two rounds as the average score for the first two days was 79.56. The South Course, which was designed by Joe Finger, opened in 1972 hosted the Danny Thomas Classic (now St. Jude Classic) until 1988 when the tournament moved to its current location at TPC Southwind. The South Course is also famous for two events which happened in 1977. First, President Gerald Ford made a hole-in-one on the par-3 fifth hole during Wednesday’s Pro-Am and two days later Al Geiberger shot an unbelievable 59 (13-under-par) during the second round of the that year’s event.


The Tennessee Amateur Championship is one of fifteen state championships that the Tennessee Golf Association conducts on an annual basis. For more information on the Tennessee Golf Association visit us online at www.golfhousetennessee.com/tga.

For RESULTS log onto www.tnamateur.com.

On Easter Sunday, Nashville TN native Brandt Snedeker added a second PGA TOUR win to his 2007 rookie-year victory at the Wyndham Championship. On the third playoff hole pitted against Luke Donald, Snedeker took the title at The Heritage.

For full coverage of the event and the full leaderboard CLICK HERE.

Matt Cooper took Medalist honors at Spring Creek Ranch, site for the Memphis area TN State Open Qualifying.

Despite windy conditions, Cooper finished with a 73, 1 over par to best the field. Alex Brown turned in a 76, 3 strokes behind Cooper, to capture the second qualifying spot, while Austin Jackson carded a 79 for the third spot.  The remaining four qualifying spots were filled as follows: 4th - Chris Houston (80); T-5th Randy Songstad (82) and Chris Badciong (82); 7th - Carlson Cox IV (83).  Carlson Cox won the final spot in a three-way play-off with Jeffrey Johnson, who was eliminated on the first playoff hole, and Tyler Smith, who was eliminated on the second hole.

For the complete results CLICK HERE.

Rudolph grew up in Clarksville, TN. He was an outstanding young athlete at Clarksville High School and President of the Student Body. After graduating from CHS, he attended Memphis State University on a golf scholarship. His golf career began at the young age of 13 when he won the Clarksville Country Club Championship. This was the beginning of a long and distinguished golf career.

Rudolph won the USGA Junior Championship in 1950 and the Tennessee State Amateur and State Open in 1956, also claiming an additional five State Open titles (1956, 59, 63, 64, 66, & 72). Rudolph is the youngest player (sixteen years and six days) ever to qualify to play in the U.S. Open, held at Merion Golf Club in 1950. He was a member of the 1957 Walker Cup team and 1971 Ryder Cup teams. He won five PGA Tour titles and was 3rd in the 1973 PGA Championship, and 4th in the 1965 Masters and 8th in the 1966 U.S. Open.  He won the Western Amateur in 1956 and the All Armed Forces Service Championship in 1958. Rudolph joined the PGA Tour in 1959 and was Rookie of the Year in 1960. He won the 1968 Tennessee PGA Section  Championship. Mason was inducted as a Charter Member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.  On the PGA Tour, his streak of finishing in the money in 52 straight events is a remarkable accomplishment. He also played in 105 straight tournaments in the 1960's without ever hitting a ball out of bounds.

Mason was inducted as a charter member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 1990. Sports Illustrated named him one of the top 25 athletes of the century in the State of TN. After playing on the Senior PGA Tour, Rudolph worked as the Director of Instruction at Gaylord Springs Golf Links. He became the Golf Coach for Vanderbilt University and was instrumental in grooming both the men's and women's golf programs to be contenders in the South Eastern Conference, including a 2004 SEC Championship for the ladies' golf team. He was able to attract nationally recognized talent to the program including PGA Tour player and local favorite, Brandt Snedeker. Upon his retirement, Vanderbilt University dedicated its annual collegiate golf tournaments, naming them the Mason Rudolph Championships. In his hometown of Clarksville a nine hole city course bears his name.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20th at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN with a Memorial Reception at the Golf House of Tennessee (400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN) immediately following the service. Visitation will be at McReynolds Nave Larson Funeral Home in Clarksville, TN on Thursday, April 21st at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at 11:30 at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Tennessee Junior Golf, Golf House of Tennessee, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069, and Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404.
www.hospiceofwestalabama.org

Robert Garrigus on the practice green at TPC Southwind

When Robert Garrigus rolled in his short putt to seal the victory in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Orlando last November, he completed a journey that he believes started in Memphis, Tenn.

“I didn’t want Memphis to define my career,” said the affable PGA TOUR pro referring to the final-hole, triple-bogie 7 that ultimately cost him the FedEx St. Jude Classic title.  “In all actuality Memphis started my career,” he explained.

“If Memphis didn’t happen, then Disney wouldn’t have happened - that’s a fact.”  And when Garrigus speaks of things that so many other pros make sound cliche, you know he means it with every fiber of his being.

Garrigus was in town today and at TPC Southwind for the FedEx St. Jude Classic media day.  It was an interesting twist on a day that typically features the defending champion and includes multiple interviews regarding how that player is looking forward to coming back to town to try and repeat as champion.

But the FESJC defending champion is Lee Westwood, who ultimately survived a playoff over Garrigus and Robert Karlsson to claim the title last year, and Westwood is officially a European Tour player who only competes in the United States on a limited basis.

That makes scheduling an appearance in the spring for a media day a virtual impossibility.  Westwood was willing to make himself available to the media in Memphis via whatever technology was deemed the best fit, but someone had a more creative idea.

The intent was for Garrigus to recreate his attempt to complete the 18th hole at TPC Southwind - hopefully this time in less than 7 strokes.  It would have been entertaining to watch, but as the game of golf goes there would be no such attempt.  Mother Nature wouldn’t allow it as threatening storms moved into the Memphis area in advance of the media day tip-off.

But Garrigus was entertaining none the less.

“I only brought three clubs,” he told the crowd of assembled media members, “a 5 iron, a wedge and a putter.  I was going to hit 5 iron off the tee, then wedge, wedge, to the green, two-putt and go home.”

Garrigus (L) with FESJC General Chairman, Jack Sammons

The fact that Garrigus wanted to be in Memphis today, and joke about an event that had to be extremely painful, speaks volumes about the type of gentleman he is.

In fact, Jack Sammons, who serves as the tournament’s General Chairman, was so moved by Garrigus’ attitude towards the loss last year and his passion for doing the right things for the kid’s of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that he used his considerable “juice” with the Memphis City Council and presented Garrigus with a formal proclamation declaring today “Robert Garrigus Day”.

With that came a key to the city and, in a humorous twist, a key to the 18th hole at TPC Southwind as well.

Garrigus picked up in 2011 where he left off last year, ultimately reaching a playoff with Jonathan Byrd, yet losing, in the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January.  The victory would have secured him a spot in the Masters for the first time, but as is the case with Garrigus, this just adds to the motivation.

“I thought the win at Disney got me into the Masters,” he said, “but I wasn’t 100% sure.”  After asking around that afternoon he would learn that a win in a Fall Series event doesn’t earn an automatic invitation to Augusta - just more motivation.

In February Garrigus found himself in the top 10 after three rounds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am including a back-nine 29 at Monterey Peninsula Country Club on Saturday, but on Sunday morning he knew something was wrong.

“I couldn’t stand up when I tried to get out of bed,” he explained. “I was dizzy, felt sick and knew I had to call the paramedics.”

What was reported as a dangerous spike in blood pressure, which did occur, was ultimately diagnosed as severe dehydration and led to his withdrawal from the tournament.  Garrigus said that 45 minutes after his scheduled tee time he was cleared to play golf.

“I have never been that upset to miss a round of golf,” he recalled.  And the incident left him a little “skittish”.

“For a couple of weeks after that I was a little afraid to go at it real hard,” he said, but that is all behind him now.  “I am working out fully again, and I’m ready to contend.  That’s what players work for, that’s what we all love.”

Garrigus earned many new fans after his near-miss in Memphis and looks forward to returning this year.  We look forward to his return as well, and hopefully an opportunity to watch him contend again.

“I told my caddie walking up to the 18th tee at Disney - well, we know what NOT to do.”

February 8, 2011

The 29th Memphis District Senior Olympics will take place April 12 - 26.  The event draws eligible athletes aged 50 and over from the following counties: Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Lauderdale.  The Olympic-style events at various locations around Memphis include  golf, cycling, bowling, tennis, racquetball, swimming, table tennis, badminton, shuffleboard, horseshoes, track and field, volleyball, basketball 3 on 3, basketball free throw, softball throw and pickleball.

Early bird registration $20 deadline:  March 1st
Final registration $30 deadline:  March 15th

Athletes will have the opportunity to practice and receive official rules & registration packages at free clinics around the Memphis area.  For information on free clinics and locations contact Lori Fageol (901) 383-9101.

Registration forms are available at Park Services Senior Centers or online at www.tnseniorolympics.com.

Presenting Sponsor:  Blue CrossBlue Shield of Tennessee
Gold Sponsors:  City of Memphis Division of Park Services; Stryker Orthopaedics
Silver Sponsor:  Kroger
Bronze Sponsors:  Frayser-Raleigh Senior Center Advisory Council; Lucille McWherter Senior Center Advisory Council

U.S. Open Local Qualifying
Ridgeway Country Club
Par 71
7,013 yards
May 13, 2010

Masters spotlight big enough for others

By Geoff Calkins

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Brad Benjamin finished his round, signed his scorecard, then walked to meet a cluster of reporters.

His eyes were rimmed red, though it was hard to tell why. This golf course is yellow with pollen.

He answered a question about a particular shot, but words seemed to be a struggle.

"Choking back a few tears?" a reporter asked.

And then he couldn't choke them back any longer. They came in a rush, unstoppable. Benjamin bent his head, to hide them. He shook, quietly. A solid minute passed. The Masters media representative offered a towel.

Another minute passed. Still more tears.

"I'm not going to be able to talk," Benjamin said, finally.

The media representative guided him away. Benjamin found Steve Benjamin, his father. They hugged, long and hard.

"It's OK," said Steve. "You'll be back here."

Tiger Woods shot a 70 Friday to put himself two shots off the lead. There, are you happy now?

That's the Tiger news. He's a fabulous golfer. It is otherworldly, what he's been able to do this week. He appears to be poised to win the thing.

But Friday was not about Tiger Woods. Friday was about the other, smaller stories, that get lost in the man's ever-widening shadow.

Tom Watson made the cut at age 60 and sounded ticked about it. Seriously, the man was peeved.

"I'm disappointed," he said.

All around him, older golfers were falling, reminded by this golf course that they can no longer handle its beautiful savagery. Ian Woosnam shot an 83. Sandy Lyle shot an 86.

"I felt like I was playing with a lead ball. You hit it and it goes, 'pffffffft." Woosnam said. "It's like the course says, 'Right, I'm going to really kill you.' "

Meanwhile, Watson just sails along, a wonder in a V-neck sweater. He's 3-under for the tournament with no thoughts of going away.

"I have thoughts of playing my butt off," he said.

Which may be the only thing he has in common with Matteo Manassero who, at 16, is exactly 44 years younger than Watson. Manassero, from Italy, is the youngest person to ever qualify for the Masters. When his car pulled down Magnolia Lane the first time, someone else had to do the driving.

Manassero was in the back seat, peering out the window. He doesn't yet have his license.

"I always watched and dream about the Masters," he said.

Always?

"Since I was 14," he said, which was exactly two years ago.

But like Watson, Manassero made the cut. Not bad for a kid who wouldn't look out of place at White Station Middle School.

"I like old music, like U2," he said.

Golfing with the oldies?

As for Benjamin, he finally composed himself enough to talk with reporters. He asked if he could do it under the big oak. Twenty minutes after his first try, he still struggled to get the words out.

No, he wasn't happy with the way he finished his round. He bogeyed three of his last four holes to miss the cut with a 77.

But that's not why Benjamin was crying. He was crying from the emotion of it all. A year ago, he was a senior at Memphis, a good but not exceptional college golfer. Three years before that, as a freshman at Memphis, he had been used in only two tournaments.

And now he was at Augusta. Now he was in this astonishingly beautiful place, competing with these magnificent golfers, soaking in moments only a few get to experience.

"It has nothing to do with failure or success," he said, explaining the tears. "It's just that ..." Here he stopped, to collect himself again.

"It's just a dream come true," he said. "You just think of all the people who helped get you here."

So, no, this tournament isn't all about a single controversial golfer. It's about a 60-year-older champion and a 16-year-old phenomenon, it's about an amateur from Memphis and his freshman-roommate caddy, it's about wondrous days and big dreams and the people who help you reach them.

"I wish it didn't have to end," Benjamin said.

Next time, maybe it won't have to.

To reach Geoff Calkins, call 529-2364 or e-mail calkins@commercialappeal.com.

On Feb. 17 last year, the general manager of Spring Creek Ranch, a private golf retreat, was at his desk when a friend called to offer condolences.

"About what?" Robb Meyer recalls asking.

Federal agents had just raided Stanford Financial's offices at the Crescent Center, the friend explained, shutting down a massive Ponzi scheme that had bilked investors of billions of dollars.

"I was shocked. I think I was more shocked not so much because I had met and spent time with Jim Davis," he says of Stanford Financial's chief financial officer. "I was shocked he was involved in it. He fooled me."

Stanford Financial was placed under receivership; its top executives, including Davis and Texas financier R. Allen Stanford, faced criminal charges.

Four years earlier, Meyer and his father, who founded Spring Creek Ranch, had unwittingly struck a deal with the devil. They had sold Stanford Financial half-ownership in Spring Creek Ranch for $6.5 million and equity investments.

But on Friday, U.S. Dist. Judge David C. Godbey in Dallas approved the deal that ends the partnership. For just $3 million, the Meyers are paying the receivership's estate to regain full ownership of Spring Creek Ranch, and continue to benefit from the more than $30 million in improvements that Stanford sunk into the property.

"This cloud is finally going to be gone and blown away," Meyer says.

The club appears to be emerging from the fiasco, smelling like one of the fragrant flowers that dot its landscape.

"Once this deal is done and even before, we will have no debt," Meyer says.

But Meyer empathizes with Stanford investors who lost substantial sums in the fraud.

His own family was among them, he says.

'Done, done'

Memphis' best-known golf instructor, Rob Akins, and Meyer are hunched over a catalog in the bed of Akins' pickup. The two men are in a muddy, newly cleared area 400 yards downrange from the members' practice tee at Spring Creek Ranch, the swanky golf club north of Collierville. That's where Spring Creek Ranch is building for Akins a teaching facility befitting the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and the golf house by architect James Cutler, who designed Bill Gates' $100 million residence.

The board-and-batten building for lessons -- complete with climate-controlled hitting bays, high-speed cameras and radar that details the ball's flight -- will look like a hunting lodge. Akins points in the catalog to the type of stamped concrete he wants for the deck. It looks remarkably like planks of wood.

Meyer's father, opthalmologist Dr. David Meyer, founded Spring Creek Ranch, preserving the land's rolling beauty by turning it into a golf course instead of a subdivision. Robb Meyer runs the place. He looks a bit like a young John Travolta with a buzz cut.

Almost the instant Meyer absorbs that Akins seeks approval for the rustic-looking stamped concrete, Meyer asserts: "Done, done."

More facilities, access

Spring Creek Ranch is in a building mode this year. It's also erecting eight cabins for members and their businesses to use for retreats.

This also is the year the 11-year-old club will become more accessible, holding tournaments sanctioned by the Memphis Golf Association and Tennessee Golf Association that nonmembers can play in. One Monday this year its gate will fling open to let anyone play; all the green fees will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Despite the taint of being associated with Stanford, the club is adding members, Meyer says. Thanks in part to eliminating the initiation fee, Spring Creek has signed 108 new members since last March.

Receiver's motion

Stanford Financial receiver Ralph Janvey is still working to recover billions for investors who were scammed.

He studied Stanford's half-stake in Spring Creek Ranch, determined its annual, million-dollar deficits were a bad deal for investors and wants out. When Janvey couldn't entice any other bidders for the half-ownership, he recommended in January the court accept the Meyer family's offer to buy back the half-stake for $3 million. The court approved the motion Friday.

Janvey's motion pointed out that Stanford had sunk more than $30 million in equity investments and loans to improve club facilities. Janvey's motion painted a bleak picture of the golf club: Annual deficits of more than a million dollars for the foreseeable future; too remote to lure new members; no pool or tennis courts to attract families.

Meyer half-smiles when asked about it. The negative report is based on information the Meyers provided to strengthen their case in the negotiations with the receivers, he says. The worse conditions are, the less the Meyers should pay to buy back full ownership.

"So none of that really bothered me because it was stuff we gave them," he says.

Besides, the receivers' report makes no mention that Tenn. 385, the outer loop, is under construction nearby and will have two exits near Spring Creek Ranch.

As for no pools and tennis courts, those are not what Spring Creek is about. It's a golf club, not a country club. The emphasis is on natural beauty, and passively enjoying it in a retreat setting, Meyer says.

Big Ol' Texas

Robb Meyer met Texas financier R. Allen Stanford just once; they had lunch at Spring Creek Ranch. Stanford's presence filled the room. "He should have worn a T-shirt that just said, 'Texas. Big ol' Texas,' " Meyer says with a laugh.

But Memphis-based James M. "Jim" Davis was the one Meyer had a relationship with, the one who frequently came to Spring Creek Ranch, the one the Meyer family struck a deal with. Anyone with passion resonates with Meyer, and Davis seemed passionate about the partnership and about Memphis.

"Part of me now wants to think, can he fake that?" Meyer says. "I was just shocked he was involved with it. He fooled me."

No tournament

Until Feb. 17, 2009, Stanford Financial was just about a perfect partner.

Davis insisted Meyer keep running the club the same as he always had. Davis always said "yes" to funding improvements if Meyer thought they would make Spring Creek Ranch better.

Yes, Stanford Financial apparently had an ulterior motive: To eventually move the Memphis PGA Tour tournament Stanford sponsored from TPC Southwind to Spring Creek Ranch. Meyer says he not only was open-minded about the request, he traveled to other tournament venues to do research.

But he and his father concluded a yearly PGA Tour event was not a good fit for Spring Creek. Too disruptive. Not only would members not get to play the course for a couple of weeks, but the scaffolding, bleachers, tents and other tournament infrastructure would spoil Spring Creek Ranch's natural setting for several months.

While many assumed the tournament would move from Southwind to Spring Creek, "it was never coming here," Meyer says.

Club's relevance

Spring Creek Ranch, of course, is economically exclusive. Meyer declines to reveal what the monthly dues are.

Still, he contends the place is part of Memphis' fabric, like the Grizzlies and Redbirds. The community will take pride in Spring Creek when it eventually hosts important national tournaments.

The goal eventually is to be the venue for a PGA championship, one of four major competitions in men's golf. The club will build up to that by going after local, state and such national competitions as the PGA for seniors and women.

"We are not elitist," Meyer says. "We are not about who you are, what family you are from, what religion, gender or race. If you wanted to be a member here, those things don't matter."

Spring Creek Ranch can't replace the kind of money Stanford Financial generated for St. Jude, but it's going to partner with the research hospital to host several types of fundraising events.

As for his old partner, Meyer says he has neither heard from nor seen Jim Davis since the scandal broke.

Davis has pleaded guilty to three counts in the criminal case, is free on bond, awaiting sentencing, and cooperating with prosecutors.

-- Tom Bailey Jr.: 529-2388

PGA TOUR Commisioner, Tim Finchem, adressed the media today by conference call and had the following to say about the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, TN and references from Saturday Night Live...

"With regard to sponsorship in '10, we view the TOUR in 2010 being fully sponsored from a television and tournament charitable standpoint. Now, when we entered the year, we had four situations, one of which in Memphis, the Stanford Company, virtually imploding; and then three bankruptcy-related issues, two with General Motors, which is Buick Open in Michigan and the Buick Invitational in San Diego, and then one with Chrysler, which was the Bob Hope Chrysler Open.

Of those four, the Buick Open has been replaced. Memphis is in a bridge situation probably for the second year, although we continue to talk to potential longer term sponsors, but will be operational and fine and a steady purse and charitable giving level in Memphis."

"Lastly, let me turn for a few moments to the question of what's the effect of not having Tiger play the TOUR. I've been interested to see commentary from a different number of directions in the last week, specifically since Friday, since Tiger's announcement, that projects significant doom and gloom for the PGA TOUR, even to the point where Saturday Night Live got involved and had us losing most of our sponsors. Let me just parenthetically say that the rumor that I keep on flask on my desk is not true, that was spawned by the Saturday Night Live telecast on Saturday night.

Here's the real world: I know some pundits will try to say Tim is trying to spin this and spin that, but facts are facts. I could go on and on about the facts on this situation, but I just want to mention two or three things. First of all, I've been answering the question about what we do with tournaments where Tiger doesn't play for 13 years. How is it that the TOUR has 46, 47 events, Tiger plays in 16, how do the other tournaments make it happen? Scratching of heads. I've explained this many, many times.

The reason is there's value. There's real value to sponsorship. There's real value to television, and there's tremendous charitable commitment. Those three things come together to put together viable, well-funded tournaments.

I'll just give you two pieces of data to take away on this. One is if you consider that the top six charitable generators, top six tournaments in terms of charitable generation, and I'm sure everybody on the call knows all of our tournaments are organized for a charitable purpose. If you consider the top six; the Waste Management now sponsored by Waste Management event in Phoenix; the Valero Texas Open; the HP Byron Nelson; John Deere Classic; the AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am, these tournaments -- and the Crowne Plaza event at Colonial, Tiger hasn't played in any of those events since -- Byron maybe four years ago or five years ago, but most of these tournaments not in the last five years, and yet they're generating millions and millions of dollars to charity because they sell.

So why is that? It's because there's other factors. One factor is we've got a lot of players who the fans like. They'll buy tickets to come out and see them play. They're exciting. The second reason is the brand is strong. The third reason is that you have dedicated volunteer organizations in those communities reaching out and using our product to raise money for charity."

Mid-South Players Make it Through to Final Qualifying Stage of
PGA TOUR Q-School

The following players from Tennessee and Arkansas have secured a spot to compete in the Final Qualifying Stage of the PGA TOUR Q-School which is scheduled to take place December 2 - 7:

TENNESSEE
Grant Leaver • Franklin, TN • T12th - Panama City Beach, FL
Shaun Micheel • Germantown, TN • T9th - Panama City Beach, FL
Chris Rogers • Nashville, TN • T16th - Pine Mountain, GA
Scott Stallings • Knoxville, TN • 5th - Brooksville, FL
Casey Wittenberg • Memphis, TN • 2nd - Panama City Beach, FL

ARKANSAS
Nick Beach • Fayetteville, AR • T12th - Kingwood, TX
Glen Day • Little Rock, AR • 9th - Kingwood, TX

November 18 - 21

Brooksville, FL (RESULTS)

Panama City Beach, FL (RESULTS)

Pine Mountain, GA (RESULTS)

Kingwood, TX (RESULTS)

McKinney, TX (RESULTS)

Beaumont, CA (RESULTS)

Follow the Local Players from Tennessee and Arkansas Who Made it Through to the
Final Qualifying Stage of the PGA TOUR Q-School


The top 25 players and ties at the conclusion of the tournament will receive 2010 PGA TOUR cards, while the next number of players nearest 50 will receive full status on the Nationwide Tour. All remaining players will have conditional status on the Nationwide Tour in 2010.



Click Here for the FULL LEADERBOARD

Sarah Mathews (Memphis, Tenn./St. Agnes Academy) carded rounds of 74-73 to lead the University of Memphis women's golf team to victory at the 2009 UAB Beach Blast. It is the first win under second year head coach Beth Harrelson and the first for the program since the 2007 Conference USA Championship.

"To think how far we've come since this time last year is just astounding," said Coach Harrelson. "I told the team yesterday to just go out and play their own game today, and that's exactly what they did. I'm extremely proud of everyone for competing on every shot."

Mathews' two-day total of 147 (+3) left her in a four way tie for runner up. The second place individual finish is also the lowest under Coach Harrelson and the lowest since Alexa Porter finished T2 in the 2008 Conference USA Championship.

Senior Leslie Grabeman fired a team-low, even-par 72 in the final round to finish one stroke behind Mathews in fifth, marking her fourth consecutive top-20 finish. First round leader Kathleen Glavin struggled with the putter all day, but still managed to card a final round 78, good for a T8 finish. The eighth place finish is also the lowest of her career. Freshman Alex Alang fired rounds of 79-73 to finish T11, her second consecutive top-20 finish after an eighth place showing last week at the CSU Wendy's Invitational. Marissa Steen posted a final round 77 to finish in T26.

Memphis turned in a second round team total of 295, the lowest under Coach Harrelson, to surpass first round leader MTSU (297-315), which finished fifth, and defeat runner-up Samford (301-304) by ten strokes. Arkansas State (306-300) and Louisiana-Monroe (307-299) tied for fourth.

First round co-leader Carolyn Cochran (72-70) carded a final round, two-under-par 70 to claim medalist honors. Lady Tiger Sarah Mathews (74-73) tied for second, five strokes back.

Since the end of last season, the Lady Tigers have improved by leaps and bounds.

2008-09 vs. 2009-10 Lady Tigers

2008-09                                                            Fall 2009

Avg. Finish: 10^th                                                Avg. Finish: 5th

Team Top-10's: 4                                               Team Top-10's: 4             

Team Top-5's: 0                                                 Team Top-5's 3

Low Finish: 8^th                                                   Low Finish: 1^st

The UAB Fall Beach Blast marks the end of the fall portion of the schedule for the Lady Tigers. Memphis will resume competition when it travels to Miami, FL to compete in the Qdoba Collegiate Golf Tournament on February 14-16.

Final Player RESULTS

Final Team RESULTS

Local Players Secure Spot to Compete in Second Qualifying Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School

The following players from Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas have secured a spot to compete in the Second Qualifying Stage of the PGA TOUR Q-School which is scheduled to take place November 18 - 21:

TENNESSEE
Grant Leaver • Franklin, TN • (T-13th - Auburn, AL)
Peter Malnati • Dandridge, TN • (1st - Florence, SC)
Chris Rogers • Nashville, TN • (T-6th - Spring, TX)
Scott Stallings • Knoxville, TN • (T-13th - Auburn, AL)

MISSISSIPPI
Kyle Ellis • Senatobia, MS • (8th - Spring, TX)

ARKANSAS
Nick Beach • Fayetteville, AR • (T-21st - Auburn, AL)
Allen McFerran • Fayetteville, AR • (3rd - McKinney, TX)


October 21 - 24

Florence, SC (RESULTS)

St. Augustine, FL (RESULTS)

Port St. Lucie, FL (RESULTS)

Auburn, AL (RESULTS)


Dayton, NV (RESULTS)

October 20 - 23

McKinney, TX (RESULTS)

Spring, TX (RESULTS)

As first reported by the Tennessee Section of the PGA of America

Professionals Earn Victory at 42nd Annual Challenge Cup Matches
Presented By: Suntrust Bank
 
Franklin, TN - The Tennessee PGA Professionals led the 42nd Annual matches wire to wire after jumping out to an early 5 to 3 lead after the Saturday morning Foursomes Matches. The afternoon’s Four-Ball Matches again went in favor of the Professionals heading into the final round of matches. The Singles Matches held the most interest as both teams set out to claim the John Deal Cup which is named after the individual from Old Hickory, TN who fostered the creation of these matches. In the end, the professionals earned the necessary seven points plus another 2 points to take the “Cup” back by a margin of 18 ½ to 13 ½ points.
 
Each year, the winning captain chooses an outstanding member of the team who embodies the enduring spirit and winning tradition of the late Bobby Nichols, PGA, who participated in the first forty Cup Matches. This year’s recipient was former Tennessee Tech player and now Head Golf Professional at The Wee Course at Williams Creek (Knoxville), Scott Masters, PGA. Former winners include Randy Helton, PGA (Shelbyville), Jeff Golliher (Knoxville).

These matches symbolically represent the relationship that exists between the Tennessee PGA (professional body) and the Tennessee Golf Association (amateur body). The top sixteen players, as identified by each association after a year long points race, earn the right to represent their association in these spirited matches. Congratulations to all the players who earned their place in history and for a wonderful weekend of golf. The match standings after 42 years are Professionals 27 and Amateurs 15.
 
Many thanks to SunTrust Bank for their continued support of the unique event. Additionally, we thank Gentleman Jack whiskey and Fairway & Greene apparel for their support of golf in Tennessee.
 
Match Results CLICK HERE
 
Photos CLICK HERE
 
Contact Todd Havron (615) 476-3641 for more information.

Buzz Fly continued his streak of stellar play for 2009 by rebounding from an uncharacteristic 7 over par 79 in round two of the TGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Holston Hills Country Club with a tournament-low, 8 under par 64 in the final round to earn runner-up honors.

After opening with a solid even par 72 in round one, that included 16 pars on the difficult Donald Ross layout, the next two days were a display of opposites for the 54 year-old Memphian who stunned the local golf community after winning all 6 of the Memphis Golf Association titles in 2009.  Fly carded 5 bogies and two double-bogies in round two in route to the 79 that apparently had ruined his hopes for a top finish in the Mid-Amateur Championship.

The final round, however, would be vintage Fly as he carded 6 birdies and an eagle in route to his 64 that vaulted him from a tie for 22nd position, 8 strokes off the lead, all the way to the runner-up position - 3 strokes behind winner Jeff Golliher of Knoxville.

CLICK HERE for FINAL RESULTS

IT'S AN OFFICIAL SWEEP!

Buzz Fly of Spring Creek Ranch and TPC Southwind closed out the 2009 Memphis Golf Association season with a win in the Mid-Amateur Championship without hitting a single shot in the final round.  The tournament was shortened to 18 holes Sunday due to persistent and, at times, heavy rain at Ridgeway Country Club.

Tournament officials made every effort to complete the final round, and actually had started all but the final 4 groups before standing water on the putting surfaces forced a suspension of play. Based on the less than favorable forecast for the rest of the day, the decision was ultimately made to cancel the final round and award prizes based on the results from the first round at Colonial Country Club (South Course).

And that's where Fly notched his sixth consecutive MGA win of the year with a one-under par 71, one shot ahead of Todd Garten of TPC Southwind and Ben Fisher of Windyke Country Club who both opened with even-par 72's.

Fly's amazing string of wins began in April with the Pro-Am Team Championship where he led the Spring Creek Ranch team to a 19-under par total and a 6 stroke victory over the Colonial Country Club team. He then partnered with Erin McDonald of TPC Southwind to successfully defend their 2008 Four-Ball Championship title by winning a sudden-death playoff over Dan Barton and Ben Fisher. Then came the Senior Four-Ball Championship where Fly teamed with long-time friend and golfing partner, Kirk Bailey, of Memphis Country Club to win by three strokes over David Hallford and Tim Thompson. Then the individual championships began and Fly answered the call by rallying down the stretch of the final round of the Amateur Championship where late birdies led to a two stroke victory over Bobby Hudson of Memphis Country Club. He then held on for a three stroke victory over Mike Brewer of Windyke Country Club in the Senior Amateur Championship and set his sights on the season sweep headed into the final event of the year.

Fly's win in the Mid-Amateur Championship made him the first player in Memphis history to sweep all of the MGA's official championships in a single season.

For more information on the MGA and complete results for all tournaments please go to www.memphisga.com.

First NGA Hooters Tour Win for Pettitt

Phillip Pettitt Jr of Muphreesboro, TN carded a final round 61 to go with his opening rounds of 70-64-69 (24 under par 264) to clinch his first win on the NGA Hooters Pro Golf Tour at the Capitol Chevrolet Classic. Finishing 4 shots back was Ryan Blaum of Coral Gables, FL who posted a 20 under par total of 66-64-69-69=268.

For the full Leaderboard CLICK HERE

As first reported by PGATOUR.com

Garrett Willis Wins WNB Golf Classic

Midland, Texas -- Garrett Willis held steady on Sunday and slowly put away the field at the Nationwide Tour's WNB Golf Classic. The 35-year old fired a final-round 68 at Midland Country Club to finish at 20-under par 268, one shot better than Chad Collins, who had blistered the course earlier with a 10-under-par 62.

The win is the second for Willis and the first since he captured the 2005 Envirocare Utah Classic. More importantly, he picks up a check for $94,500 which assures him of a return trip to the PGA TOUR next year. Willis jumps 13 places to No. 6 on the money list and raises his season total to $261,506, more than enough to assure him of a place among "THE 25" top money-winners at the end of the year who will graduate to the TOUR.

"It's an almost surreal feeling," Willis said. "I was kind of expecting this grand explosion of emotion and I suppose that will come at some point. This is our job and what we set out to do each year."

Willis owned a two-stroke lead to begin the final round but by the time he teed off, Collins was already 9-under through 13 holes and was leading by two. When Collins two-putted for par to close out his 62, Willis was making birdie at No. 4 to regain a share of the lead at minus-19.

"I knew, being in the lead, I was going to be in the driver's seat all day. I didn't think the biggest challenge would come from the final groups," said Willis. "I thought somebody would come from way behind us. Typically, guys go low early. There isn't any pressure and they can just fire away. Somebody always posts something low."

Willis bogeyed No. 5 and was trailing by one. He saved par with a 10-foot putt at the par-3, 8th hole and then tapped in a short birdie at No. 9 to pull even with nine to go.

"I do watch the leaderboards but I didn't see too many early on," he said. "I saw the one at number nine and knew Chad was in the house at 19. I felt like if I just stayed patient I'd make a couple of birdies. I knew that if I could shoot one-under on the back I'd be fine."

So, while Willis headed for the back nine and Collins waited to learn his fate, the rest of the field was treading water.

Darron Stiles put on a late rush with a 6-under 30 on the back nine for a a 66 and a 17-under total.

Jin Park closed out a bogey-free 66 to tie Stiles for third, his career-best finish on Tour.

Esteban Toledo also posted a 66 and headed the group at 16-under. He was eventually joined by Keoke Cotner, who was runner-up here a year ago.

Willis' nearest challengers to start the day, J.J. Killeen and Brendan Steele were both struggling and never put any pressure on the leader. They both posted 1-under 71s and tied for seventh.

Willis moved in front with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 12 and 13. A "rope-hook 5-wood" off the tee at No. 17 put him in trouble at No. 17. His second shot caught a low-hanging branch and he wound up making bogey, reducing his lead to one.

"I really didn't think my nerves were too bad today," he said. "Usually I can get pretty jumpy but I just tried to stay calm, walk slow and talk slow. I was pretty calm out there, especially for me."

Willis was barely off the front of the green at the par-4, 18th and needed two putts to close out the win.

"There was no way that first putt was going past the hole," he said of his 35 footer. "When I walked up there I knew I wanted to leave it a little short and right, right up the hill."

Mission accomplished. He left himself three feet of green to win.

"I never thought about winning the golf tournament until the last hole," he said. "It wasn't a gimme but I felt no pressure over it."

For complete WNB Golf Classic results CLICK HERE

For complete Nationwide Tour money list standings CLICK HERE

Local Players Survive PGA TOUR Q-School Pre-Qualification and Move on to Compete in
First Qualifying Stage

The following local players from Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas survived the PGA TOUR Q-School Pre-Qualification and will move on to compete in the First Qualifying Stage which takes place October 21 - October 30:

TENNESSEE
Brice Bailey • Memphis, TN • (Dallas, TX)
Eric Beaty • Memphis, TN • (Beaumont, CA)
Brenton Flynn • Nashville, TN • (Dallas, TX)
Grant Leaver • Franklin, TN • (Beaumont, CA)
Peter Malnati • Dandridge, TN • (Lincoln, NE)
Thomas Smith • Chattanooga, TN • (Dade City, FL)
Scott Tashie • Memphis, TN • (Dallas, TX)

MISSISSIPPI
Kyle Ellis • Senatobia, MS • (Dallas, TX)

ARKANSAS
Allen McFerran • Fayetteville, AR • (Lincoln, NE)


September 15-18

Dade City, FL (RESULTS)

Beaumont, CA (RESULTS)

September 16-19

Lincoln, NE (RESULTS)

September 22-25

Dallas, TX (RESULTS)

Seaside, CA (RESULTS)

USGA Men's State Team Championship - Local Teams Results

TENNESSEE Team  T-8
Tim Jackson, Germantown   67-72-74=213
Rob Garland, Nashville   68-77-76=221
Todd Burgan, Knoxville   74-78-72=224


MISSISSIPPI Team  T-19
Ben Snow, Hattiesburg   70-71-76=217
Clay Homan, Starkville   71-77-79=227
Steve Wilson, St. Martin   80-79-74=233

Did not advance to final round
ARKANSAS Team  T-45
Ron Mangold, Pocahontas   74-79=149
Wes McNulty, Pine Bluff   74-78=152
Neal Westbrook, Russellville   74-81=155




For complete results CLICK HERE

Local Players Compete in PGA TOUR Q-School Pre-Qualifying

The following local players from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas are
competing in Pre-Qualifiers for the PGA TOUR Q-School:

TENNESSEE
Brice Bailey • Memphis, TN • (Dallas, TX)
Eric Beaty • Memphis, TN • (Beaumont, CA)
Brenton Flynn • Nashville, TN • (Dallas, TX)
Gary Haugh • Franklin, TN • (Beaumont, CA)
Brad Helton • Mount Juliet, TN • (Dade City, FL)
Grant Leaver • Franklin, TN • (Beaumont, CA)
Brent Long • Carthage, TN • (Lincoln, NE)
Peter Malnati • Dandridge, TN • (Lincoln, NE)
Steven (Mike) Regenold • Piperton, TN • (Dallas, TX)
Thomas Smith • Chattanooga, TN • (Dade City, FL)
Tyler Stokes • Franklin, TN • (Lincoln, NE)
Scott Tashie • Memphis, TN • (Dallas, TX)
Chris Thompson • Germantown, TN • (Seaside, CA)

MISSISSIPPI
Kyle Ellis • Senatobia, MS • (Dallas, TX)

ARKANSAS
Allen McFerran • Fayetteville, AR • (Lincoln, NE)


September 15-18

Dade City, FL (RESULTS)

Beaumont, CA (RESULTS)

September 16-19

Lincoln, NE (RESULTS)

September 22-25

Dallas, TX (RESULTS)

Seaside, CA (RESULTS)

John Daly Credits Lap-Band Surgery for 91-Pound Weight Loss on Twitter Post

 

On the evening of September 14th John Daly was posting “tweets” on the popular on-line social network Twitter about a Playing Lessons episode on The Golf Channel he was watching at the time.

 

“HOW FAT am I in this show! hahaha” he tweeted as he referenced the filming of the episode with reality TV personality Jon “Jonny Fairplay” Dalton.

 

“I've lost a total of 91 pounds I can see a huge difference and that's counting that TV adds 20 pounds” he posted at 9:24 p.m.

 

Daly later went on to thank a "Dr. Jesse with Lapband Surgery" and stressed that “...no it’s not Gastric Bypass!”

 

If our calculations are correct, Daly would now weigh less than 200 lbs for the first time in numerous years and has achieved the goal of getting under that mark that he publicly stated earlier in the year.

Buzz Fly Wins MGA Sr. Amateur to Extend 2009 Streak to Five in a Row

 

Buzz Fly had more on the line than just defending his 2008 MGA Senior Amateur Championship title as he began the first round Sunday morning at Spring Creek Ranch - there was also the quest to keep a shot at history alive.

 

Fly, 54, who is a member at Spring Creek Ranch and TPC Southwind, is looking to become the first player in Memphis Golf Association history to win all six of their championships in a single season.

 

He began the year as a member of the Spring Creek team, along with Head Pro Robert Williams, John Fisher and Eric Beaty, who won their second consecutive MGA Pro-Am Team Championship back in April.

 

Then in May, Fly teamed with partner Erin McDonald to successfully defend their 2008 MGA Four-Ball title by the narrowest of margins - a playoff victory over Dan Barton and Ben Fisher.

 

The month of June saw Fly and his partner Kirk Bailey run away with the MGA Senior Four-Ball as they bested the team of David Hallford and Tim Thompson by three strokes.

 

Winning the remainder of the championships would rest solely on Fly’s shoulders, however, as the final tournaments of the year are all individual competitions - and the MGA’s three premier events.

 

So how did Fly respond?

 

By winning his third MGA Amateur title by two strokes over one of the strongest fields in recent tournament history, then coasting to a three-stroke victory in the MGA Senior Amateur this past weekend after shooting rounds of 70-69 at Spring Creek Ranch and Memphis Country Club respectively.

 

Fly now has one remaining championship to capture to become the first player in MGA history to win all six of the association’s events in the same year.  The MGA Mid-Amateur Championship will be conducted October 3-4 at Colonial Country Club (South) and Ridgeway Country Club.

 

Another win by Fly, and history will be made.

      

Buzz Fly (L) with MGA President Jim Faust

For more information on the Memphis Golf Association

Go to www.memphisga.com

 

For more information on the MGA Senior Amateur

CLICK this link MGA Senior Am WEBSITE

As first reported by the TN Section PGA

Vikki Vanderpool of the TN Section PGA Wins National Junior Golf Leader Award

 

When it comes to Junior Golf, Vikki Vanderpool is clearly a cut above the rest.  Vanderpool received a special phone call last week from PGA of America President Jim Remy who informed her that she was the recipient of the National Junior Golf Leader Award.  Vanderpool stood out against the other 40 Section Junior Golf Leader Award Winners  - who represent the best in Junior Golf amongst the 28,000 Members and Apprentices of the PGA of America. 

 

Vanderpool who recently accepted the Assistant Golf Professional position at Westhaven Golf Club in Franklin, TN, flourished in her previous role as Director of Golf at The Little Course at Conner Lane - the home course of Golf House Tennessee.  In addition to running a thriving junior golf program at the Little Course, Vanderpool has been the Committee Chairperson for the Scholarship Committee and Junior Golf Committee for several years.  She was named a US Kids Top 50 Teacher for three years in a row and this past year was named a US Kids Master Teacher. 

 

"I am extremely honored and still in awe about being considered for this prestigious award.  To receive a phone call from PGA of America President Jim Remy was a thrill.  It is something I will always remember and cherish.  I am very proud to be a PGA Member and even more excited to pursue my passion for junior golf," said a humbled Vanderpool upon receiving the exciting news. 

 

Congratulations Vikki - The Tennessee PGA is proud of you!!

For more information on the TN Section PGA

Go to www.golfhousetennessee.com