2014 Schedule Announced

2014 Schedule Announced

We are happy to announce our 2014 schedule. This season's events include four private clubs, five great public courses and five Major Championships.

• March 22: The Maumelle Spring Classic (Maumelle CC)

• April 12: The Battle at Fort Smith (Eagle Crest GC)

• April 26: The Valley View Open (Golf Club at Valley View)

• May 24: The Shootout at the Highlands (The Highlands GC)

• June 8: The River Valley Rumble (Fianna Hills CC)

• June 21: The Stonebridge Standoff (Stonebridge Meadows GC)

• July 12: The Cypress Creek Challenge (Cypress Creek GC)

• August 2: The Rivalry at River Cut (River Cut GC)

• August 16-17: The Arkansas Tour Championship (Shadow Valley CC)

The 2014 National Championship will be at Talking Stick Resort and Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona!

The season will culminate with special awards to flight winners* and an awards ceremony.

The NWA Fall Championship

Paul C. Gomez, Rogers, AR (November 16, 2013)

Rain was the original threat to competition at Shadow Valley Country Club in Rogers, but the real opponent turned out to be the wind!  Gusts up to 25 and 30 mph proved a big challenge to all players.  The golf course was in great shape. The fall leaves made golf searching a challenge as well.  

Flight Winners:

Bob Brooks

Championship Flight: (0.0-3.9) – Knowing how to hit boring knock-down shots through the wind gave Bob Brooks of Bella Vista, AR the edge he needed to climb back from a rocky start and finish even par.  After going two over after five holes, Brooks finished the last 13 holes two under par.  Brooks, the 2013 Senior National Champion, wins his first event of the 2014 season with this victory.  Congratulations, Bob.

Palmer Flight: (4.0-7.9) – Matt McClain of Decatur, AR came

Matt McClain

to defend his title in the Palmer flight.  Although he started slowly, through 15 holes he was only 8 over.  The high winds caused more strokes than he wanted, but victory is still sweet.  Even with one disaster hole, he was never in real danger of losing his place atop the flight.  Congratulations, Matt.

Sarazen Flight: (12.0-15.9) –   It cold have been anyone's

Charles Dickerson

title in the Sarazen flight.  After 9 holes, 5 players were less than two strokes apart.  That's when Charles Dickerson's prototype irons on loan from his buddy kicked into gear.  Dickerson, of Columbia, MO fired off 4 birdies to shoot even par on the back 9.  The victory was good enough not only for his flight, but also for the Showcase Trophy and Awards Tournament Champion and his first victory of the 2014 season!  Congratulations, Charles. 

Jones Flight: (16.0-19.9) – Perhaps the best battle of the day was in the Jones flight.  With an impressive start

Steve Rutherford

including two birdies through 8 holes, Mike Calhoun of Rogers, AR led his flight by 3 strokes over Carl Imhof of Rogers, AR.  Steve Rutherford of Centeron, AR looked to be out of it completely with one rather disastrous par 5.  Calhoun stumbled on the 9th hole and couldn't catch up.  Imhof led by four going into the last hole and problems on the green let Rutherford in with a final hole birdie after going only 5 over on the last 10 holes! Rutherford said that after the disaster hole he decided to just have fun!  Way to focus and not give up, Steve!

Snead Flight: (20.0+) – Perseverance paid off for Brandon

Brandon Walters

Walters of Springdale, AR.  It took twelve tries, but Walters wins his first event on the AM Tour with this victory.  A steady front nine kept him in the game even after a stumble on the 11th hole.  A nice come-back par on #12 put him back on the path to a strong finish and a comfortable victory.  Congratulations, Brandon!

---------------

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

The Payne Stewart Classic

Paul C. Gomez, Branson, MO (November 2, 2013)

The leaves were turning and the setting was perfect.  The colors were as stunning as one would expect in the Fall in the Ozarks.  Payne Stewart Golf Course was as challenging as it was scenic.  Preceded by days of rain and a turn in the weather put all carts on the path and all players on notice - the day was going to be a test of perseverance as much as a test of skill.

Flight Winners:

Chas Goines

Championship Flight: (0.0-3.9) – Chas Goines of Rogers, AR came out on fire going two under par through four holes.  A small stumble after the hot opening gave Mark Lutgen of Blue Springs, MO a chance to make up some ground.  The four stroke lead Goines gained after the front nine, however, proved to be insurmountable even though Lutgen made a go for it on the back nine.  Goines finished with an 8 over par 78 to win the flight and his first AM Tour event. 

Palmer Flight: (4.0-7.9) – There were only two birdies in the entire Palmer flight and Gary Penna of Little Rock, AR started with one on the first hole.  Had he finished with a

par on the last hole, he could have avoided a playoff.  However, Don Karl of Lees Summit

Don Karl

Mo., came to defend his title as the 2013 Palmer Champion.  Two strokes down after nine holes, Karl survived a quad to get into a playoff with Penna.  Both shot an 88.  On the second hole, Karl birdied the challenging 180 yard par 3 to repeat as champion!


Hogan Flight: (8.0-11.9) – Close races to the end defined the Hogan flight.  Kirby Rogers of Muldrow, OK led the field after nine, although not by much.  However, Steve Moorehead of Overland Park, KS got hot quickly on the

Steve Moorehead

back nine going one under after five holes.  That was what he needed to pull ahead of the crowd and win with and 84 by two strokes.  Moorehead launches a strong 2014 season with this win, another first place and a second place win!  

Sarazen Flight: (12.0-15.9) –   Stanley Emerson of Topeka, KS started with a bang by birdieing the difficult first hole with a laser iron to the green and finishing only one hold behind after 9.  Randy Miller of Wentzville, MO finished the

Randy Miller

front nine one ahead with a 42.  It was his one under par through the last six holes that that propelled him to a fourteen stroke win over the field and to the low net round of the day.  The round earned was also a net par to his USGA index and earned him the title of Showcase Trophy and Awards Tournament Champion and his first victory of the 2014 season! Congratulations, Randy!

Jones Flight: (16.0-19.9) – It was a back and forth battle all day between Louis Ralph of Olive Branch, MS and Carl Imhof  of Rogers, AR.  After nine holes, Imhof led Ralph by a

Louis Ralph

stroke.  Imhof started the back nine with some big scores and through 15 holes Ralph had pulled ahead by two.  A rough finish by Ralph resulted in a tie that led to the second playoff of the day.  It only took one hole for the long trip from Mississippi to result in a victory for the 65 year old.  Congratulations, Louis!

---------------

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

Four State Championship Results

Paul C. Gomez, Jopin, MO (October 19, 2013)

The Four State Championship brings together players from five states for competition at the Downstream Casino's Eagle Creek Golf Course.

Flight Winners:

William Wirtz

Hogan Flight: (8.0-11.9) – It took a four hole playoff to settle a three-way tie in the Hogan Flight.  Michael Quesenberry (Wentzville, MO),  David Price (Pawhuska, OK) and William Wirtz (Maryland Heights, MO) all finished with an 84 to force the sudden death playoff.  Wirtz finished with a par on 18 while Quesenberry and Price both could have parred for the all out win.  In the end, Wirtz persevered over Price with a par on #4 to win.

Sarazen Flight: (12.0-15.9) – Les Edwards (Eureka, MO)

Gary Schuessler

and Gary Schuessler (Wichita, KS) were neck and neck all day and only two strokes apart after 9 holes.  Edwards bogeyed the 18th hole and Schuessler parred the hole to force the playoff.  Schuessler took the trophy with a birdie on the par 5 second hole.  
  

Jones Flight: (16.0-19.9) – Through 16 holes it could have

Patrick Emerson

gone either way.  Only one stroke separated Patrick Emerson (Olathe, KS) and Carl Imhof (Rogers, AR) and they both parred the par 3 #16.  The last two holes were a slug fest with Emerson holding on to win bettering his score from last year by 11 strokes! 

---------------

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

Maumelle Championship

Paul C. Gomez, Maumelle, AR (August 3, 2013)

While most of the rest of the state was under water or getting rained on, in Maumelle the water held off and play went on!

Flight Winners:

Palmer Flight: (4.0-7.9)– Home course advantage proved to be a big deal for Nick Holder of Maumelle, Ar.  His final score 81 is somewhat misrepresentative of his stellar play.  A 'big number' on #2 was the difference between 81 and a mid 70's score.  This makes Holder's first victory of 2013.  Congratulations Nick.

Jones Flight: (16.0-19.9) – It took a playoff for Craig Merrill of Roland, AR to edge out Steve Rutherford of Bella Vista, AR.  Rutherford bettered his back nine by 9 strokes over his front nine to catch Merrill.  Merrill won the playoff on the second hole.  This makes Merrill's fourth Jones Flight victory in a row - all just by playing to his handicap.  Congratulations, Craig!
  

Merrill and Rutherford are both bound for the Jones Flight National Championship in LaQuinta, CA.  

---------------

For a complete list of results and pictures visit our GCAT Facebook Page or go to the results site or go to our Picasa web site.  For more information about the GCAT of Arkansas:

Paul C. Gomez
Arkansas Director, Golf Channel AM Tour
917-553-3814
pgomez@GCAmTour.com

Red River Shootout Results

The AM Tour went to the Winstar Golf course in Thackerville, OK last weekend for a 180 player battle for ten trophies in The Red River Shootout.  The Arkansas Tour represented well by winning two of the ten first place trophies.

The weather was refreshingly not-hot for the two days and the wind didn't howl for most of the weekend as typical for an open Oklahoma course.  This made it possible for some great rounds in all flights.  Six open flights and four senior flights competed over the two day event.  


Sarazen Flight (12.1-15.9)  It was going to take either a spectacular second day round or some real help from the first round leader for Kirby Rogers of Muldrow, OK to come back from behind.  Rogers was back four strokes and tied for third with a good score for his flight - an 82.  Instead, Rogers proved that steady wins the race as he shot a second 82 and edged out the first round leader by one stroke.  His first place victory came with no birdies or eagles, 4 double bogeys, and 12 bogies.  However, he made 20 pars.  Rogers said he had some great “up and downs” all weekend to save par.  Congratulations, Kirby! 

 Senior Jones Flight (16.0-19.9)  Sleeping with a five stroke lead might make some players nervous.  But for Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR, it proved to not be his demise.  A first round 79 was spectacular for his flight and included three birdies!  But he would not run away with the event.  He was thrust into a playoff when someone shot a 78 on the second day to force while Baxter finished bogey-bogey.  On the second hole of the playoff, Baxter for the first time all weekend parred hole #2 to win the flight.  Baxter said he kept his driver in the bag and played conservatively.  He played the par 3's at 2 over par for both days!  Baxter said it helps that he loves playing the AM Tour and the people he gets to play with.  Congratulations, Dennis!

The Eagle Crest Championship

Finally A Warm Day For Golf!

Paul C. Gomez, Alma, AR (June 15, 2013)  Eagle Crest golf course was in great shape – perfect fairways and good greens. Still it provided plenty of challenge to all players in five flights. Read on to hear the stories of the winners.

Flight Winners:

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – It was the first event on the AM Tour for Bob Brooks of Bella Vista, AR, and he made a statement. Brooks shot a one over par 72 on the first time he'd seen the golf course. The 55 year old had an even par front nine and was one over on the back. Congratulations Bob!

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – The Palmer flight came down to a sudden death playoff between Derek Goodson of Ft. Smith, AR and Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR. But Goodson had to make a run on the back 9 playing the last seven holes even par to overcome a four stroke deficit. He credits a good short game and solid putting for the finish. Goodson parred the first playoff hole and Baldwin bogeyed. This is Goodson's first win in 2013. Congratulations Derek. 

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – It's beginning to sound like a broken record, but Matthew Howard of Bentonville, AR has won his fourth event in the Sarazen flight. He does it again by posting a score which is right in the handicap range of his flight. This time he did it by posting a strong front nine which was enough to keep from losing it all on a rough back nine score. Congratulations Matt!

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Several Jones fight players had a decent nine. Only one had two consistently good nines that were on the low end of the Jones flight handicap range. Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR shot 45-44 for a four stroke victory over Craig Merrill of Roland, AR. Baxter credited playing the par 3's well (2 over par) and avoiding the “big number” for his victory. Congratulations Dennis!

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – Chris Smith of Fort Smith, AR won his 3rd event of the year and qualified for the AM Tour National Championship. The putter was Smith's major weapon today having had no three-putts and also with 6 one-putts. He also felt he had a solid day on the par 3's. Congratulations Chris.

---------------


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

Valley View Invitational

Paul C. Gomez, Farmington, AR (May 13, 2013) After nearly 3 inches of rain, no one was quite sure how The Golf Club at Valley View in Farmington, AR would play, but the course drained well and the course that has hosted Hooter's events showed it's teeth.

Flight Winners:

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – Matthew McKown of Fort Smith, AR started the back nine on a mission. He wanted to shoot even par on a challenging nine holes to give himself a chance. He started with a bogey, then fired three birdies to finish -2 on the back and by one over Chas Goines of Rogers, AR. McKown was the first of many to come to comment on the exceptional quality of the greens.

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Ten greens in regulation and 8 fairways resulted in an uneventful yet winning round for Allen Huffman of Holiday Island, AR. Huffman stated that he is loving the AM Tour after his second event. Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, and Brian Williams of Bella Vista, AR tied for second.

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – Joe Deere of Catoosa, OK turned in a stellar round in the Hogan flight with seven one putts and no doubles! Deere also loved the greens and took full advantage as he raced ahead of Allen Sawvel of Broken Arrow, OK by six strokes. Three birdies and 8 bogeys were enough for Deere to win his second event of the year.

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – Starting with 5 GIR's was a good start for Matthew Howard of Benvontille, AR. A birdie on #15 also helped to stay any run from the field. Howard said his putting and short game helped him keep from having major breakdowns and he managed to win by 6 over his nearest competitor, Chad Wheeler of Muskogee, OK.

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR won his 1st event of the 2013 season by hitting 12 fairways and avoiding big numbers! Baxter proved the addage that having fun helps you play well. Wayne Watkins of Benvontille, AR made a valiant effort by triple bogey on #16 made a comeback diffult. Watkins finished 2nd.

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – The only flight to require a sudden death playoff was the Snead flight with the last twosome of the day tying at 100. In the end, Douglas Lefebvre of North Little Rock, AR edged out David Dildy of Fayetteville, AR in a one hole playoff. Lefebvre said he managed to keep his focus and stay patient all day making shots when they were required. This is Lefebvre's first victory on the AM Tour!




---------------




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




For more information about the GCAT of Arkansas:

Paul C. Gomez

Arkansas Director, Golf Channel AM Tour

917-553-3814

pgomez@GCAmTour.com

Stonebridge Meadows Classic

The Warmest Day of 2013 leads to Hot Contests!

Paul C. Gomez, Fayetteville, AR (March 16, 2013)  Seemingly out of nowhere, an 80º day blew into Fayetteville's Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club to welcome golfers to the first event of the Spring of 2013!

Flight Winners:

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – Being new to the tour proved no problem for Brett Hubbard of Alma, AR whose 5 birdies were enough to offset his triple bogey on #5 and give him a stroke victory over Al Smith of Midland, TX.

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Maybe not playing for nearly five months is the best way to start off the year! Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR laid off all winter and came back to play his non-chalant style of golf to win the Palmer Flight by 5.  Baldwin said that laying off for that long helped him ''get rid of all those bad thoughts'' and play well. Derek Goodson of Fort Smith, AR eeked out a 1 stroke 2nd place victory!

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – It took him 3 tries, but Steven Sheldon of Rogers, AR won his first victory on the AM Tour.  He did have go overcome a hole-in-one by fellow competitor Rick McClain of Decatur, AR, but parring the last two holes gave him that extra cushion needed to secure the victory.   McClain won second place!

Matt Howard

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – Matthew Howard of Bentonville, AR won his second event in a row edging out John Hamilton of Hot Springs Village by one stroke.  Howard was only three over par in his final 8 holes and just escaped a strong finish by Hamilton who needed to par the final hole to go to extra holes.  

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – A very strong back nine finish by Wayne Watkins of Bentonville, AR earned him a first appearance victory on the AM Tour. Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR made a valiant effort to catch Watkins, but just couldn't quite overtake him on the back nine.  

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – Chris Smith of Fort Smith, AR had more pars than his fellow competitors combined in the Snead flight and fourth Snead Trophy on the AM Tour in two years.  His 99 (+27) score was enough to cruise by David Pemberton of Huntsville, AR.

---------------

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