Yardages and Tees

A common question contestants ask is "what tees (distance) will I play?"

The distance is not always "the blues" or "the whites."  But before we go there...

There is much more to competitive golf than simply distance.  Shaping shots, putting, chipping, etc. are just as important.  That being said, it's important to pay attention to distance (especially on our local tour).  The chart below (found in your player's handbook) describes the general distance you can expect to play on any given Saturday.  Sometimes, we will need to create a custom set of tees to make a course play shorter or longer for a particular flight. 

If we have to combine flights, even more careful consideration will be given to how far a par 3 plays, and how long a carry one will have over trouble from the tee.  As a rule, you should expect that you will play the longest allowed distance for your flight.  This is not length for length's sake, but it is primarily to help you prepare for both any Major event and for the National Championship.  Both of these venues will challenge you at your best for your flight.

Generally speaking, the lowest two flights will play the back (black) tees, middle two flights will play the middle (blue) tees and highest two flights will play the forward (white) tees.  Ladies will always have the option to play one tee forward of their assigned flight tees.

Questions?  Feel free to ask or comment here.

Russellville Results

Russellville Country Club Results

The Golf Channel AM TOUR started the 2011 Calendar season in Russellville, AR

Paul C. Gomez, Fort Smith, AR (March 26, 2011)  Cold and wet are not the most favorite two words for a golfer starting the tournament season, but weather kept no one away from the largest event hosted by the GC AM Tour of Arkansas to date!  A misty morning eventually gave way to warmer temperatures and drier grips.  The course was tough enough!

Flight Winners:

Mike Dryer

Championship Flight – Michael Dryer from Bella Vista, AR defended his title and continues his winning streak with a solid performance.  Even par through nine holes, Dryer seemed in command early.  Two below par through 15, He held on to his place even after going 5 over in the last three holes to finish with a 75.  New to the tour, Brent Boland of Hector, AR placed second.

Wayne Baldwin

Palmer Flight – Playing his home course, Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR had a strong finish to pull ahead of Nick Holder of Maumelle, AR and MIke Lewis of Mena, AR to win the Palmer Flight.  The three players were only one stroke apart after 9, but Baldwin's two over par back nine finish secured him the victory with a 79.

Brian Buchanan

Hogan Flight – Six players competed for the Hogan victory medal and played it rather closely.  In the end, it was Brian Buchanan of Cabot, AR who came from behind two strokes behind Jim Badovinac, of Harrison, AR and shooting only three over par on the back nine.  Buchanan's 84 bested Badovinac's back nine by 7 strokes.  Guest player Paul Knarreborg of Cabot, AR would have placed second by one.  (Guests scores are informational only).

Richard Ainsworth

Senior Hogan Flight – Five new tour members comprised the first Senior Hogan flight on the AR Tour!  A steady performance by Richard Ainsworth of Maumelle, AR gave him a clear victory.  His consistent 85 (41-44) round was triple-bogey free (only two doubles) and earned him his first victory.  Dale Stringer of Russellville, AR and Keith Vess of Russellville, AR not only rode together, but both members at Russellville Country Club tied for second place.

Craig Merrill

Sarazen Flight – It came down to avoiding the big number for Craig Merrill of Roland, AR who edged our Jake Badovinac of Harrison, AR by four shooting 41-45 (86) and winning by four.  Badovinac's 44-46 included one too many big holes to fight his way back.  Merrill earns his first victory in his first event on the GC AM Tour of Arkansas!

Richard Ulrich

Jones Flight – Five of the six contestants in the Jones Flight were relatively close, but Richard Ulrich of Bentonville, AR put on a putting clinic to roar passed the competition.  With 8 one putts and 26 total, Ulrich had the third best gross score of the field shooting 40-41 for an 81.  2010 Defending Champion Michael Petersen of Ozark, AR just eeked out Carl Imhof of Rogers, AR with a 91.  Imhof had two birdies which nearly earned him second place.

Mike Calhoun

Snead Flight – Seven pars with three right out of the gate propelled Mike Calhoun of Rogers, AR to victory over Ed Polanec of Leesville, LA and David Pemberton of Huntsville, AR.   With only one 'big number' on the card, Calhoun turned in a very solid performance.

Tournament Champion - This year's Player of the Year Award will be based on net scores against the entire field based on a player's Tournament Index.  Players scores with no TI will be based on their established or determined handicap.  Tournament Champion by ten strokes was Richard Ulrich shooting a net nine under par 62. Mike Calhoun finished second against the field and Wayne Baldwin  and Michael Petersen tied for third.  Full results are available here.

Skins Results:

Championship Flight: Michael Dryer (5), Brent Boland (1), Al Smith (1), and Chuck Rummel (1)

Palmer Flight: Wayne Baldwin (2), Nick Holder (2), Mike Lewis (2), David Ake (1)

Hogan Flight: Jim Badovinac (2), Brian Buchanan (2), Daniel Freeman (2), John Tusieseina (2)
Senior Hogans: Richard Ainsworth (2), Ralph Santopietro (2), Keith Vess (2), Lance Jones (1), Dale Stringer (1)

Sarazen Flight: Jay Williams (4), Craig Merrill (3), Jake Badovinac (1)

Jones Flight: Richard Ulrich (6), Carl Imhof (3), Dennis Baxter (2), Hank Hecksher (2)

Snead Flight:  Mike Calhoun (7), Ed Polanec (3), David Pemberton (1)

For a complete list of results and pictures visit our GCAT Facebook Page or go to the results site. 

For more information about the GCAT of Arkansas:

Paul C. Gomez

Arkansas Director, Golf Channel AM Tour

917-553-3814

pgomez@GCAmTour.com

10 Habits to Eliminate Slow Play

With the start of a new year comes the need for some reminders on how to eliminate slow play on the golf course.  Typically, slow play is not because someone takes too long to execute a shot, but more likely because they wait to long to prepare for execution.  Here are some helpful habits to develop!

1. KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU.  Focus on keeping pace with the group in front of you. Do not be concerned with the group behind you. We will worry about the group behind you!
2. PLAY READY GOLF. There is no penalty for playing out of turn in stroke play. If you are approximately 100 yards from the green on the left side of the fairway and a fellow player is the same distance on the other side of the fairway, make eye contact and determine which one is going to play next. 
3. KEEP AN EYE ON EACH OTHER’S SHOTS. Help look for lost balls AFTER you have hit your shot. If all four members are looking for the ball at the same time, the group has come to a dead, screeching halt.
4. THE CART DRIVER should drop off the passenger at his/her ball and then drive immediately to his ball. Do not wait for him to hit UNLESS you would be in his line of flight.
5. THE PASSENGER should take 3 clubs (the one you think, one more and one less) and send the driver to his ball.
6. IF YOUR NEXT SHOT IS A WEDGE OR SHORT IRON TO THE GREEN, take your putter with you and tell the driver to go on without you.
7. KNOW WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN TO PUTT.  Somebody call out the order: “Ray, your away, Jack your next, then Gene ...” If you want to check your putt out from both sides, get a look from one side BEFORE it becomes your turn.
8. PUTT CONTINUOUSLY when possible.  You may choose to putt out to increases your group’s pace of play.
9. NEVER RECORD SCORES AT THE GREEN. Drive off and do it at the next tee box. 
10. NO HONORS! Get ready and tee off! 

None of these points should make you feel rushed - they should only make you feel prepared!