The Battle at Big Sugar

On arguably the most difficult golf course in NWA on a hot day behind a local club championship - but the Am Tour of Arkansas would not give up the Battle at Big Sugar. 

Paul C. Gomez, Pea Ridge, AR (July 30, 2011)  Big Sugar Golf Club already plays at leaset 4.5 hours in the best of conditions, add to that a local stroke play event ahead of us and extreme heat, a 5.5 hour round took determination and hydration just to finish!  It's a good thing that Maximum Performance's  Dr.'s Bennington and Roeder came early to give free consultations and adjustments before the round!  The course itself was in great shape despite the heat, and good scores resulted!

Flight Winners

Brian Smith

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9)  A very tight, nose to nose competition between Brian Smith of Rogers, AR and Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR ended when Baldwin missed a birdie putt on the last hole for a playoff.  Smith turned in the low round of the day by one with a solid 79!  Chuck Rummel of Hatfield, AR was in the running early, but he struggled on the challenging back nine and placed third.

Daniel Freeman

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – The back nine was also the difference in the Sarazen flight.  Keith Vess of Russellville, AR had a solid lead going to hole ten, but only Daniel Freeman and Dale Stringer, both of Russellville, AR had better front nines than back.  Freeman's two birdies gave him the edge he needed to win his second event in a row.  John Tusieseina of Conway, AR placed third. 

 

Jeremey Sudduth

Jones  Flight (15.9-19.9) One birdie and one bogey was the difference between Jeremey Sudduth of Bentonville, AR and Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR. Both players had ten pars, but Sudduth's back nine play helped him pull ahead for his first victory of 2011! Michael Petersen of Ozark, AR and Richard Ulrich of Bentonville, AR tired for third place.

Maximum Performance Tournament Champion  - This year's Player of the Year Award is  based on net scores against the entire field based on a player's lowest index.  Tournament Champion was Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR who shot a net 63.  Jeremey Sudduth was second and Brian Smith was third.

Skins Results:

Palmer Flight: Baldwin (1), Tillman (2), Smith (1)

Sarazen Flight: Freeman (3), Abels (2), Stringer (2), Merrill (1), Tusieseina (1), Vess (1)

Jones Flight: Sudduth (1), Petersen (1)

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

For more information about the GCAT of Arkansas:

Paul C. Gomez

Arkansas Director, Golf Channel AM Tour

917-553-3814

pgomez@GCAmTour.com

Season ending news

The Arkansas Tour Championship is a little less than one month away - August 20-21.  Here's why I'm writing you now...

Eagle Crest Golf Course

• If you think you are playing, please register ASAP so that I can determine whether a shotgun start might be something we can negotiate with the golf course.  It won't necessarily make your day shorter, but it will make it so that we can all finish at the same time and celebrate the season end together.
• Since it's the only event we have in August (at least for this year), I need to get an idea as to how many gift cards to have in hand for that event.
• We will have a post event celebration awarding our player of the year, flight champions, nationals contenders, and a general year end celebration and the sooner I can get a count, the better!

Nationals are at the end of September. If you have not yet told me you want to go, please do so asap - I will do all I can to help you get there!

Player of the Year Sponsor, Maximum Performance, is coming to Saturday's event at Big Sugar to provide a free consultation and stretch to players!  Dr. Scott Bennington will also be coming to the Tour Championship event! Dr. Scott is working on a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certification!

October brings the beginning of the 2012 season.  We already have the Shadow Valley Country Club on the schedule and we are working on one more great site for October.  We hope to have one Central Arkansas (warmer!) event in November!  

More tournaments next year!  I am on the search for about two more premier venues for 2012.  If you have influence somewhere you'd like to see an event, now is the time to help me start laying the groundwork.

Thanks for being a part of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour of Arkansas!

Greystone

Paul C. Gomez, Cabot, AR(July 2nd, 2011)  Just because it was a holiday didn't mean these players didn't come to play!  There were some fireworks, and it was HOT!

Flight Winners

Championship Flight (0-3.9) Ed Passini of Cabot, AR and Ben Loftis of Little Rock, AR were tied after 9, but Passini's performance on the par 4's gave him the victory over Loftis as Passini held on to win his first event on the Am Tour on his home course. Congratulations and welcome, Ed!

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9)   Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR played a solid back nine and edged out Nick Holder of Maumelle, AR.  Baldwin was one stroke better on both 9's over Holder to give him a two stroke victory.  Amory Cole, of Jonesboro, AR placed third.

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – Brian Buchanan  of Cabot, AR overcame a four stroke deficit on the last three holes to win his second event on the Tour this year.  Buchannan shot birdie-birdie-birdie to finish impressively!  Dan Nieman of Bella Vista, AR and Doug Loftis of Little Rock, AR tied for second just three strokes off of Buchanan.

Jones/Snead  Flight The Jones and Snead flights were combined and Michael Petersen of Ozark, AR can probably credit his steady play on the par 3's for his victory.  A good back nine also secure his victory.  Jim Dial of Bryant, AR and Sam Reeves of Bentonville, AR finished second and third respectively. 

Maximum Performance Tournament Champion  - This year's Player of the Year Award is  based on net scores against the entire field based on a player's lowest index.  Tournament Champion by two strokes was Craig Merrill of Roland, AR who shot a net one under par 71.  Second was Doug Loftis and tired for third were Wayne Baldwin and Dan Nieman . 

Skins Results:

Championship Flight: Ed Passini (7), Ben Loftis (6)

Palmer Flight: Wayne Baldwin (7), Nick Holder (2), Amory Cole (1)

Hogan Flight: Dan Nieman (2), Richard Ainsworth (2), Brian Buchanan (2), Doug Loftis (1)

Jones Flight: Michael Petersen (6), Jim Dial (3), Sam Reeves (1)

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

For more information about the GCAT of Arkansas:

Paul C. Gomez

Arkansas Director, Golf Channel AM Tour

917-553-3814

pgomez@GCAmTour.com