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