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.  

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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

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.

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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!




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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

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.

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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 Fianna Hills Open

Saturday, November 17, 2012
Players from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas compete for the Fianna Hills Open title!  Arkansas took two trophies, Oklahoma took one, Missouri took one, and Texas took one.

Fort Smith, AR - What started as a chilly morning culminated in perfect Arkansas River Valley weather.  Overnight temperatures dipped low enough to make the already fast greens at the Fianna Hills Country Club even a little more firm!  If that wasn't enough, the changing fall colors made golf balls difficult to find.  Read on to see how the battles shaped up.

Flight Winners:  

Michael Dryer

Championship Flight  (0-3.9) – One of the largest fields for the Championship Flight in Arkansas AM Tour history yielded some great matches.  Matthew McKown of Van Buren, AR responded with heart to what could have been a devastating opening quad with six birdies!  Of all the players in contention, Michael Dryer of Bella Vista, AR had the fewest birdies with only one.  Dryer, however, had only 3 blemishes on his card - and they were only bogeys.  McKown was leading with two holes left to play but stumbled.  Steady play (14 pars) and ''a little luck'' (finding a tee shot after hitting two provisionals) are what Dryer credits to his victory.  Even par on the back nine was crucial! One trophy for Arkansas.

Roland Lewis

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – Roland Lewis  of Tulsa, OK played well enough on the front nine to  survive a string of bogeys on the back nine which gave Chris Blankenship of Stigler OK a chance to get close! A three over par front nine gave Lewis the cushion he needed to hold off Blankenship's five over par back nine.  Statistically, the two played a very close match - an equal amount of pars and near equal amount of bogeys.  It was the 'others' that cost Blankenship a run to the title.  It was an Oklahoma all the way kind of day in the Palmer flight - one trophy for Oklahoma.

Bill Matthews

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – Can you say ''déjà' vu all over again?''  When Bill Matthews of Houston, TX finished his round, he didn't think an 83 would hold up.  Since there were 13 players in the field, he'd have to wait for awhile to learn that he was going to be in a playoff - again - with Pat Weaver of Germantown, TN.  It was a replay of the finish of the Red River shootout at Winstar in June of 2012 when Matthews and Weaver tied after two days and Weaver won in a sudden death playoff.  It tok “three career shots” in his round to get him there, and Matthews was not going to squander the opportunity.  After two holes, Texas would walk away with a trophy and Matthews would have his revenge.

Matt Howard

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) –   With four holes left, it was anybody's tournament.  Kirby Rogers of Muldrow, OK held a one stroke lead over Steve Rutherford of Bella Vista, AR.  Matthew Howard of Bentonville was four strokes out, but finishing strong only one over par let him come back for his first win on the AM Tour.  Sinking a couple of long par putts kept him in it and proved to be the difference.  Two trophies for Arkansas.  

Dean Anderson

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Most golfers have the 'if only for one hole' story, but for Craig Merrill of Roland, AR, it was that one hole that may have kept him from a chance for victory.  Dean Alexander of Appleton City, MO did, however, earned his first victory on the AM Tour with a couple of birdies on the front nine.  Alexander said he played conservatively by hitting lots of irons off the tee and not 'going for' par 5's when he could have.  Since the greens were so fast, he felt that laying up would be a winning strategy.  It proved to be a four point strategy and he brings a trophy home to Missouri.

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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

Tribute to Payne Stewart

Sunday, November 3, 2012
Fast greens and ominous hazards result in challenging conditions!

Branson, MO - The greens were immaculate and lightning fast, rolling at a 13!  Add to that two of the hardest opening holes anywhere, the true winner was the Payne Stewart golf course!  Holes #1, #2, and #17 all played 2.66 strokes above par on average!  Only one hole, the short par 4 #13 played even par across the entire field.  Read on to see how each flight performed.

Flight Winners:

Jared Jordan

Championship Flight (0-3.9) – The three championship flight scored 8 over par on the first hole and 8 over on the next par 3.  A rough first nine was going to reward whoever could settle down and score.  After starting with a triple-bogey on the first hole, Jared Jordan of Rolla, MO finished the last six holes of the course only two over to win his first event on the AM Tour.

Don Karl

Palmer Flight (4.0-7.9) – It was back and forth all day between Don Karl of Lees Summit, MO and Wayne Baldwin of Russellville, AR.  A birdie on the difficult par 3 by Karl and a double by Baldwin on thee same hole.  A birdie by Baldwin on the difficult #17 wasn't enough to recover and Karl pulled away with a victory by 3. 

Chad Schuschmann

Hogan Flight (8.0-11.9) – It looked like Michael Quesenberry of Wentzville, MO was going to recover from a shaky start by making nine pars in a row from #8 to #16.  Chad Schuchmann also scattered eight pars throughout his round with one birdie.  The two most important ones were the finishing two which gave him the three stroke margin which surpassed Quesenberry's faltering finish.  Schuchmann's final score of 84 was the low round of the day and was good for his second victory in a row.  Schuchmann said the key to his victory was his ability to “get up and down” well all day long.

Matthew Holden

Sarazen Flight (12.0-15.9) –  Nathan Holden of Raymore, MO shot his consistent 80's kind of round by staying focused and thinking only about one hole at a time.  It proved to be the correct strategy as he won his first event on the AM Tour.  Holden never carded anything more than a double bogey.  An 86 was enough to beat the field by seven strokes.  Matthew Howard of Bentonville, AR played well enough to finish 2nd among the ten Hogans.  It was his best finish in two tries.

Mitchell Gustin

Jones Flight (16.0-19.9) – Eight pars and a birdie gave Mitchell Gustin of Story City, IA his a first place finish in the field of seven.  With only one "other" on his card, Gustin was eight strokes better than his nearest competitor, Dean Alexander of Appleton City, MO.  Gustin's scoring average was just better than bogey golf which is an excellent performance considering the difficulty of the golf course.

Eric Thomas

Snead Flight (20.0 +) – Eric Thomas of Bonner Springs, KS said that good shot placement below the hole was key to his success on Saturday.  Having twice as many pars as anyone else in his flight was also a good strategy.  Even at 5800 yards didn't make the difficult course less challenging.  It was his his first win in 13 tries on the AM Tour.  Congratulations, Mr. Thomas!






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Giant Skins

You may remember that we intended to pay out both flight skins and giant skins.  It was well intentioned, however, when I paid out the flight skins I used the spreadsheet with the payout based on $20 flight skins.  Meaning that the flight skins paid out assuming a $20 per player pot not a $15 per player pot leaving no money left for a giant skins payout.  So, just for information, here's how the seven giant skins earned would have been awarded (one to each flight, by the way):

•  Chris Smith (Snead), birdie on #1
• Kirby Rogers (Sarazen), birdie on # 4
• Chad Schuchmann (Hogan), birdie on # 9
• Mitchell Gustin (Jones), birdie on # 12
• Michael Dryer (Championship), birdie on # 15
• Don Karl (Palmer), birdie on # 16
• Wayne Baldwin (Palmer), birdie on #17

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