Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Picture Perfect Day at The Highlands in Bella Vista

Bella Vista, Ar - It was a Chamber of Commerce's dream for weather, not to mention great publicity for the future site of the AJGA's Stacey Lewis Open.  The AM Tour players that came from Kansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and of course, Arkansas enjoyed the challenging layout and perfect weather.   In only a few weeks, the best of junior golfers will be visiting the same course and playing from the new tees which stretch out the course!

Flight Winners:

Carter

Championship Flight (0-3.9) –  Scot Carter of Bella Vista, AR and Brent Boland of Hector, AR battled back and forth all day in the championship flight while playing half of the new tees from the tips (#1) and the other half from the blue (#2) tees. In the end Carter made some putts and separated himself as the round finished to win 1st place. It's Carter's first victory on the AM Tour since winning four events in 2009!

Smith

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Second through Fourth place were only a stroke apart each in the Palmer flight.  However, Brian Smith was not to be denied.  Smith pulled out the driver only once and missed only one fairway to shoot the low round of the day 74.  One birdied and three bogeys on the par 4's and even par on the par 3's and par 5's from the same tees the Championship flight played was enough to dominate the field.  The first place finish is Smith's first in five tries in 2012.

Ainsworth

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – Apparently The Highlands Golf Course is a course that Richard Ainsworth from Maumelle, AR loves.  Ainsworth successfully defended his 2011 title by edging out Michael Quesenberry of Wentzville, MO by two strokes while shooting 77 - the second best round of the day.   Quesenberry made three birdies to none by Ainsworth, but a double bogey on #18 broke the tie they shared through 16 holes.  Ainsworth credits his victory to a couple of good bounces going his way on top of “getting up and down” really well all day!

Hamilton

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – The Sarazen flight played a combination of blue and white tees to experience the Highlands.  Retirement has apparently been good for Hot Springs Village resident John Hamilton's golf game.  He credits his seven stroke victory to the newly found time he has for practicing and to a back to the basics strategy inspired by reading Ben Hogan!  Hamilton's 83 was a comfortable margin of victory over second place finisher Danny Neal of West Fork, AR.  

Merrill

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Stanely Emerson of Topeka, KS was eight strokes behind Craig Merrill of Roland, AR with six holes to play.  Emerson made a charge finishing even par in the last six holes with Merrill struggling in the finish.  Merrill's “play it safe” strategy paid off to win by two while shooting an 86.  This makes Merrill's second victory of 2012.

Lynch

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – The Snead flight made history on the Arkansas AM Tour!  Vicki Lynch of Fort Smith, AR becomes the first woman to win on the Arkansas AM Tour.  It's also the first event where two women played on the Arkansas AM Tour.  Jeanette Potter of Bella Vista AR led the flight by six strokes with 3 holes left to play.  Lynch would finish one under in the last three holes to defeat Potter and Chris Smith of Fort Smith, AR.


 Lynch said winning was made easier by having a great time playing with great people.  Her testimony to the camaraderie found on the AM Tour is shared by players in all flights. 

Potter and Lynch

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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

The Cherry Springs Challenge

Beautiful Weather - Tight Races

Paul C. Gomez, Tahlequah, OK (May 12, 2012)  Eyes were glued to radars in anticipation of rain and storms, but the AM Tour was spared downpours and instead enjoyed near perfect conditions.  This joint event of the Oklahoma Tour and the Arkansas Tour brought players from four states to this eastern Oklahoma city to compete for eight trophies.  Out of eleven (11) Arkansas tour members, (31) Oklahoma tour members, and one (1) Dallas tour member, Arkansas won three trophies, and Oklahoma won five trophies.  Congratulations to all our winners.

Flight Winners:

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – It was a back and forth battle all day between Michael Dryer of Bella Vista, AR and Curt Howard of Sapulpa, OK.   After 9 holes, Howard was even par leading Dryer by one even after a double-bogey start.  Dryer bounced back and brought it back to a dead heat through 15 holes.  It came down to the last putt on hole 18 when Howard missed the putt to save par and send the match to a sudden death playoff.  The victory is Dryer's third consecutive of the 2012 season.

Allen Sawvel

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – The Palmer flight came down to a sudden death playoff between Allen Sawvel of Broken Arrow, OK and Chris Blankenship of Stigler, OK.  Blanenship put on a impressive display of scoring being one under par after 14 holes.  One brief stumble on #'s 15 and 16 gave Sawvel the opportunity to make up the 3 strokes necessary to force a playoff.  It only took the first hole for Sawvel to take advantage of his momentum and win his first victory of the 2012 season.

Jim Crawford

Senior Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – For Jim Crawford of Tahlequah, OK the clear advantage of “local knowledge” saved him the one stroke he needed to win his first victory of the 2012 season.  Both Clayton Badger of and Darren Montgomery of had an opportunity to send the Senior Palmer's to a sudden death playoff, but neither parred the hole. Crawford's one point victory was a testament to the tight race among the Senior Palmer's.

Mitch Day

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – “Hitting a lot of greens” was what gave Mitch Day his first victory on the AM tour.  Day's 78 was four strokes better than Gary Hayes of Chickasha, OK who came in second.  Days' consistent play of +2 and +4 on the front and back gave him some breathing room.  

Allan Barnett

Senior Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – Ten Senior Hogans competed in a very tough and hard fought contest that separated each place by one stroke through the top 9 finishers! Three Senior Hogans tied for second at 82 - Mike Johnson of Tahlequah, OK,  Jimmy Roe of Neosho, MO, and Tim Mathis of Edmond, OK. In the end, however, it was Allan Barnett of Cheyenne, OK who held on to win with an 81 even with a bogey on the final hole.  Barnett gave credit to his putter for the victory.  A 40 foot putt for bogey on the final hole kept him from being in a playoff and gave him his first victory of 2012! 

Jay Williams

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) – Danny Neal of West Fork, AR made a valiant effort to catch Jay Williams of Van Buren, AR one under par in the last six holes, but it wasn't enough.  Williams' three three birdies and better than average GIR's gave him a two stroke victory with an 83.  David Price of Pawhuska, OK also had a chance in the flight up until the final hole.  Price finished third.

Loyd Welch

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Loyd Welch of McAlester, OK shot his second best score on the AM tour to claim his fourth victory of the 2012 season!  Welch missed his first ace on tour and only his second ever by mere inches on the par 3 #4.  It was his second birdie of the day!  Brandon Walters of Springdale, AR placed second.

Chris Smith

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – Chris Smith of Fort Smith, AR gave all the credit to his dependable and safe 3 wood for his two stroke victory over Dion Casto of Parker, TX.  Casto had a very consistent bogey round of golf going and really only one big number on the final hole.  Smith was a bit more streaky, but six pars were enough to give him the cushion he needed to win his second event in 2012.

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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

Russellville Country Club

Paul C. Gomez, City, AR (October 29, 2011) Perfect weather - great greens - good competition! The AM Tour traveled to central Arkansas and a quiet country club in Russellville for another round of competition.  

Flight Winners:

Derek Goodson

PALMER FLIGHT (4.0-7.9) - Hole 13 proved a difference make for the Palmer flight.   2/3's of the way through it was anybody's tournament with Wayne Baldwin of Russellville leading the pack.  A bogey, a double, and a nine by the rest of the field and a par by Matt McClain led to the inevitable victory by two (80) )over Derek Goodson.

Kirby Rogers

HOGAN FLIGHT (8.0-11.9) - Two pars and two birdies to finish the round were just enough to give Kirby Rogers of Muldrow, OK and 84 and a one stroke cushion which gave him his second consecutive victory.   A double bogey on 16 kept Jim Badovinac of Harrison, AR from a playoff and gave him a one stroke 2nd place finish over 3rd place Jeremy Wilson of Rogers, AR.

Danny Neal

SARAZEN FLIGHT (12.0-15.9) - Dale Stringer of Russellville, AR was in Danny Neal's rear view mirror all day.  Falling behind early, but catching up half way through, Stringer made a run.  The par 3 #14 was killer for Stringer and Neal pulled ahead and won by 1 shooting an 87.  Jay Williams of Van Buren, AR placed third with a 90.  

Dennis Baxter

JONES FLIGHT (16.0-19.9) - A birdie on #17 by Dennis Baxter of Bella Vista, AR gave him the final surge he needed to claim his second consecutive victory in the Jones Flight.  Danny Miller of Mena, AR came in second and Brandon Walters of Springdale, AR finished 3rd.

SNEAD FLIGHT (20.0 +) - Chris Smith of Fort Smith, AR parred the final hole to make up the two strokes he needed to catch Sam Reeves of Bentonville, AR and force a playoff.  It only took one hole for Smith to earn his first victory on the AM Tour with a par!  

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For a complete list of results and pictures visit our GCAT Facebook Page, the tournament 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 

The Spring Sling

Soggy conditions made for challenging scores, but the sun came out and made for a beautiful day to play golf.

Flight Winners:

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – Mike Dryer shoots a 73 to win the Championship Flight with a steady round and 3 stroke win over Douglas Duke. Scot Carter and Brent Boland finished 3rd and 4th.

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Derek Goodson had a great first event to win the Palmer flight with a 76. Matt McClain made a run but Goodson held on to win.



Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – The Hogans had a large field and as one might suspect, it came down to the end. Jimmy Roe birdied the final hole to get into a playoff with Mike Johnson. It took the fourth hole for them to finish par/bogey and Roe earned his first victory.



Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) - Jay Williams avoided major mistakes and pulled out a two stroke win over Craig Merrill. Both Williams and Merrill outperformed their handicaps and turned in stellar rounds.






Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Dennis Baxter and Kyle Jack fought to the finish with a neck and neck battle to a playoff. Baxter held on to win the victory and take home the trophy.










Snead Flight (20.0 +) – Scott Bundrick and David Pemberton also played to a close finish in the Snead flight. In the end, Bundrick held on to win by two strokes over Pemberton. Congratulations to all players.










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For a complete list of results and pictures visit our GCAT Facebook Page, the tournament 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

Texas Open Round 1

Round 1 of the Texas Open at Horseshoe Bay got under way today in a brisk northerly wind that kept players guessing all day. 

Three players from the Arkansas Tour made their way down to test their skills on these challenging hill country golf courses.  Championship Flight player Al Smith played the difficult Ram Rock course.  He fought through a triple bogey and a double bogey and came back with a hole out for an eagle and followed that with a birdie!  Al leads the Championship Flight by two strokes with a 75.  Good luck tomorrow Al.

On the Apple Rock course, Jay Williams (Sarazen Flight) of Van Buren AR and Kirby Rogers (Hogan Flight) of Muldrow, OK struggled against the elements and hope to make a come back on Ram Rock on Sunday!  Good luck guys!

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see how our guys do!

Results: Winter Challenge at Chamberlyne Country Club

Down to the wire!  Once again, multiple contests come down to the last hole or two.

Paul C. Gomez, Danville, AR(December 3, 2011)  What looked like an iffy and sloshy kind of day, turned into an early Christmas present for golfers who love to play competitive golf!  Golfers from Tulsa, OK to Cabot, AR and from Bella Vista, AR to Mena, AR came to compete at the Chamberlyne Country Club. 

Flight Winners:

 

Chuck Rummel

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Talk about coming back...Chuck Rummel of Hatfield, AR overcame a disastrous second hole and after being eight over after five holes played the final thirteen holes one under par to overtake Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR by one stroke.  Going into the final hole, Rummel needed to birdie and Baldwin needed to par to tie at 79.  Rummel birdied and Baldwin bogeyed giving Rummel the victory.

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – With one hole left

Richard Ainsworth

to play, Richard Ainsworth of Maumelle, AR was two strokes down to John Hamilton of Hot Springs Village, AR.  Every stat but one was in Hamilton's favor up to number 18 - more pars, less bogeys, and less doubles.  But the last hole was one stat Hamilton didn't want - the dreaded "other."  Ainsworth bogeyed the last hole to take the victory by two strokes.
 

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) - After 15 holes, the Sarazen title could have gone to any of the top 5 finishers - all being tied or close to 74.  Tenacity belonged to Dale Stringer of Russellville, AR who went one over for the last three holes and shot an 88 to edge out Mike Lewis of Mena, AR and Daniel Freeman of Russellville, AR.  Stringer made the only eagle of the day which gave him the edge he needed to hold on to the victory.

Sam Reeves

Snead Flight (20.0 +) –  One strokewas all it would take to produce a Snead winner on Saturday as well.  Tied going into the last hole, Sam Reeves of Bentonville, AR and Jeanette Potter of Bella Vista, AR were staring at a playoff.  Both had played close all day with each having only one disastrous hole.  Reeves would finish with a bogey to shoot 104 and edge Potter out by one stroke on her first event as an AM Tour player.  Congratulations Mr. Reeves!

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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

Results: The Payne Stewart Classic

Paul C. Gomez, Branson, MO (November 12, 2011)  Fall golf was at it's best at one of the best fall venues of mid-South America - Branson Missouri's Payne Stewart Golf Course.  The Arkansas tour hosted players from five states on a blustery cloud covered day that tested golfers of all skill levels.

Flight Winners:

Mike Dryer

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – Defending champion Mike Dryer of Bella Vista, AR hit a lot of good iron shots and kept it in play all day to hold on to his title and win the Championship Flight.  After 15 holes, Dryer and Al Smith of Cabot, AR were tied but the last three holes proved to be the difference and Dryer held off Smith's charge.  Don Karl of Lees Summit, MO placed third.  

Wayne Baldwin

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR credited tenacity and 'making a few putts' with his victory in the Palmer Flight.  Certainly being a member of the course didn't hurt either.  John Todd of Wright City, MO finished strong by parring the final 3 holes to finish in second place by one stroke over Henry Maxeiner of Bethalto, IL.

Mike Quesenberry

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – After 9 holes, the Hogan field was close not separated by more than four strokes.  The back nine proved to be the difference maker as Mike Quesenberry of Wentzville, MO kept it together to shoot an 82 and win the flight.  Quesenberry said the key was being able to keep the ball down out of the wind and hit a lot of fairways.  William Wirtz of Maryland Heights, MO parred the last hole to edge out Ronald Polillo of O'Fallon, IL by one stroke and take second alone.  

Craig Merrill

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) -  Craig Merrill of Roland, AR said he wanted revenge on Payne Stewart from a prior performance - and got it by 'not trying anything cute.'  Among the five Sarazens playing, the only significant difference between the ten 9-hole scores was Merrill's front nine.  All the other 9 hole scores among all players were only a couple of strokes apart.  Merrill distanced himself on the front 9 and the rest of the field never caught up.  Keith Vess of Dardanell, AR beat Josh Hinojosa of Rogers, AR in a scorecard playoff to take 2nd place.  

Steve Oien

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – After starting with an 8 on the first hole,  Steve Oien of Weldon Spring, MO decided to play conservatively and stay out of trouble.  His strategy worked as he came back to lead the field on the front nine by 4 and cruising to a four stroke victory over Pat Cashin, of Dora, MO.  

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For a complete list of results and pictures visit our GCAT Facebook Page, the tournament 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