GCAmTour-Houston, Cinco Ranch Holiday Classic, Tournament Results, December 7, 2013

Jeff Zemencsik (Houston, TX) – GCAmTour-Houston officially changes the name of The Holiday Classic to the “Ice Cube Classic”.  An arctic cold front brought extremely low temperatures to the area, near freezing at tee off with wind chill in the low 20’s.  Players battled the difficult conditions and the tournament produced some very competitive scoring. 

The Course:  Cinco Ranch Golf Club, Katy, Texas.  Despite an arctic cold front that brought freezing temperatures to the area, the course received little to no precipitation.  Players had full access to the course with the golf carts on the semi-green turf.  The course was in good condition with semi-green tees, fairways, and putting surfaces.  The combination of the cold temperature and steady winds made the course play longer for the short set up.  The greens were smooth and running around 9+.   

The Weather:  COLD, COLD, and more COLD.  An Arctic cold front brought unseasonably cold temperatures to the Houston area.  At 8:00am tee off, temperatures were close to freezing; 32 degrees with a wind chill around 25 degrees.  The sky was overcast and gray throughout the day with no sunshine.  Winds were from the N at 10-15mph and gusting to 20+ at times, producing very difficult playing conditions.

The Tournament: 

Championship Flight:  James Harvey (80), Nathan Ashley (88).

With Rich Vigil stuck in Denver after a delayed flight back to Houston, the Championship Flight became a one-on-one match up with James Harvey vs. Nathan Ashley.  James Harvey won the match up and captured his first victory of the season with a matching low tournament round of 80 if the tough conditions.  Harvey went out in 41 and in with a 39 and should have shot in the mid 70’s but carded two double-bogey’s on 9 and 10 that prevented him from doing it.  Harvey had eleven pars on the day.  Nathan Ashley finished with a round of 88 and carded eight pars on the day but couldn’t keep the big numbers off the card.  Congratulations to Nathan Ashley for winning the Troops First 50/50 raffle, $200.00.

Palmer Flight:  Hampus Larsson (80), Tino Flores (81/38/25), Adam Anderson (81/38/26), Rusty Stark (81/40), Frank Wallace (84).

Hampus Larsson made his tour debut in grand fashion by winning the closely contested Palmer Flight with a matching tournament low round of 80.  Larsson’s round of 80 was one stroke clear of the field and included eight pars and a birdie at the par-3 16^th hole.  The next three golfers all carded rounds of 81 so we had to go to the scorecards to determine the finish.  Tino Flores finished with runner up honors and round of 81/38/25, carding eight pars and a birdie at par-4 14^th hole.  Adam Anderson finished with third place honors and round of 81/38/26, carding six pars and birdies at holes 9 and 15.  Rusty Stark finished with fourth place honors and round of 81/40, carding nine pars.  Frank Wallace finished with fifth place honors and round of 84.  Wallace carded nine pars but made back-to-back doubles on 10 and 11, coming in with 44.

Senior Palmer Flight:  Robert Corbello (81), Dennis Walsh (83), Mike Hafner (85), Walter Menuet (87/40), David Anthony (87/41).

Robert Corbello captured his first victory of the season two-strokes clear of the field and round of 81.  Corbello carded nine pars and a birdie at the par-4 8^th hole, going out in 38 and in with a 43.  Dennis Walsh finished with runner up honors and round of 83, including four pars and birdies at holes 4, 7, and 15.  Walsh went out in 44 and in with a 39.  Mike Hafner finished with third place honors and round of 85.  Hafner carded six pars and a birdie at the par-3 12^th hole.  Walter Menuet finished with fourth place honors and round of 87/40.  Menuet carded eight pars on the round.  David Anthony finished with fifth place honors and round of 87/41.  Anthony carded three pars and birdies at holes 5 and 15.

Hogan Flight:  Michael Campbell (82), Damian Smith (83), David Fok (84), Scott Nagai (86/41), Roger Masek (86/42). 

Michael Campbell made the trip over from the Hill Country Tour worthwhile and goes “back-to-back” after his recent win at the Championship at Falconhead.  Campbell’s winning round of 82 was one stroke clear of the field in the tightly contested Hogan Flight, including eight pars, out in 39 and in with a 43.  Damian Smith returned to tour play and finished with runner up honors and round of 83, one-stroke back.  Smith carded eight pars and a birdie at the par-5 4^th hole, out in 39 and in with a 44.  David Fok finished with third place honors and round of 84.  Fok carded eight pars and a birdie at the par-3 3^rd hole.  Scott Nagai captured fourth place honors with a tiebreaker over Roger Masek, 86/41.  Nagai carded six pars on the day.  Roger Masek finished with fifth place honors and round of 86/42.  Masek carded three pars and birdies at holes 12 and 15.  

Senior Hogan Flight:  Kevin Thibodeaux (82), Will Whitley (87/42), Betty Ghio (87/44), Robert Nicks (89), L.P. Jones (98).

Kevin Thibodeaux captured his first victory of the season five strokes clear of the field and round of 82.  Thibodeaux carded nine pars and a birdie at the par-3 3^rd hole, also closest to the pin winner and near ace.  Will Whitley captured runner up honors with a scorecard tiebreaker over Betty Ghio, 87/42.  Whitley carded four pars and a birdie at the par-3 16^th hole.  Betty Ghio finished with third place honors and round of 87/44.  Ghio carded five pars and a birdie at the par-3 3^rd hole.  Robert Nicks finished with fourth place honors and round of 89.  Nicks carded four pars and a birdie at the par-5 6^th hole.  L.P. Jones made this Sr. Hogan Flight debut after a recent flight promotion and finished with fifth place honors.  Jones round of 98 included five pars.

Sarazen Flight:  Rick Houchins (89), Gary Gum (90), Rick Smalley (95), Kristopher Bixby (96), Kyle Young (97/50).

Rick Houchins, the DC Tour transplant, captured his first victory of the season by one stroke over the field in the tightly contested Sarazen Flight.  Houchins round of 89 included seven pars.  Houchins will be with us through November 2014 and we welcome him to the Houston Tour.  Gary Gum finished with runner up honors and round of 90, one-stroke back.  Gum barley made his tee time after giving late nigh dance lessons, but managed to put together a runner up finish.  Gum carded five pars on the round.  Rick Smalley finished with third place honors and round of 95.  Smalley carded six pars on the day, out in 50 and in with a 45.  Kristopher Bixby finished with fourth place honors and round of 96.  Bixby carded three pars on the day and was out and in with matching 48’s.  Kyle Young captured fifth place honors with a tiebreaker over Blake Barnes, 97/50.  Young carded four pars and a birdie at the par-5 6^th hole.  Barnes had four pars and a birdie at the par-3 3^rd hole.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Olan Benge (82), Glynn Aldredge (86), John Scott (91), Mark Kirby (94), Michael Nowotny (104).

Olan Benge, Houston Tour veteran, is no stranger to difficult conditions as he has played in many GCAmTour events over the years.  Benge was able to focus on his round and finished four strokes clear of the field and round of 82 for the victory.  Benge carded six pars and a birdie at the par-4 8^th hole.  Glynn Aldredge continues to play well and finished with runner up honors and round of 86.  Aldredge carded seven pars on the day.  John Scott, reining Sr. Jones Flight National Champion, finished with third place honors and round of 91.  Scott carded four pars on the round.  Mark Kirby finished with fourth place honors and round of 94.  Kirby carded two pars and a birdie at the par-4 2^nd hole, out in 42, but faded on the back nine. Michael Nowotny finished with fifth place honors and round of 104.  Nowotny carded two pars on the day.

Jones Flight:  David Sipe (87), Wayne Glover (91), Artis Stewart (94/50/35), Rick Halprin (94/50/37), Anthony Parrish (95).

It’s been a long time coming and David Sipe captured his first ever tour victory with an impressive four-stroke clear of the field effort.  Sipe was steady on the round going out in 43 and in with a 44, carding three pars and a birdie at the par-4 1^st hole.  Wayne Glover made his tour debut with a nice runner up finish and round of 91.  Glover carded four pars and a birdie at the par-4 9^th hole.  Artis Stewart finished with third place honors and tiebreaker over Rick Halprin, 94/50/35.  Stewart carded four pars on the round, out in 44 and with 50.  Rick Halprin captured fourth place honors and round of 94/50/37.  Halprin carded two pars and birdies at holes 2 and 12.  Anthony Parrish finished with fifth place honors and round of 95, one-stroke back.  Parrish carded four pars on the round, out in 47 and in with 48.

Snead Flight:  Elgin Amboree (86), Al Dyar (93), Carl Eaton (106), Tom Eysenbach (113).

Elgin Amboree was a late addition to the field and made it worthwhile, capturing his first victory of the season.   Amboree had an impressive round of 86; seven strokes clear of the field and included six pars, out in 45 and in with 41.  Amboree may have earned the Jones Flight promotion in the process.  It was good to see long time tour player Al Dyar return to play and finish with runner up honors and round of 93.  Dyar’s round of 93 included four pars, out in 45 and in with 48.  Carl Eaton finished with third place honors, following up his victory at Gleannloch Pines, and round of 106.  Eaton carded four pars and went in 48 but faded on the back nine.  Tom Eysenbach returned to tour play and finished with fourth place honors and round of 113.  Eysenbach carded two pars on the round.

In addition to the flight winners, the following players won optional side games:

Closest to the pin $140.00

#3, Kevin Thibodeaux

#5, Art Flores

#12, Rick Halprin

#16, Mike Rayburn

Skins Championship/Palmer:  $30.00

Dennis Walsh, #4 & #7

David Anthony, #5

Robert Corbello, #8

Adam Anderson, #9

Tino Flores, #14

Skins Winners Hogan/Sarazen:  $45.00

Mark Kirby, #2

Damian Smith, #4

Matthew Madden, #7

Olan Benge, #8

Roger Masek, #12 & #15

Will Whitley, #16

Skins Winners Jones/Snead:  $15.00

David Sipe, #1

Rick Halprin, #2 & #12

Wayne Glover, #9

Anthony Parrish, #10

Teryl Houghton, #16 & #17

Woody Casasent, #18

50/50 Raffle:

Nathan Ashley, $200.00

Prizes:

Golf Galaxy $50 gift card, Rusty Stark

Golf Galaxy $50 gift card, Artis Stewart

Bridgestone Balls, Glynn Aldredge

Bridgestone Balls, Mike Murphy

Flight Winners:

Winners	Awards		Winners	Awards
Championship (3)
1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00
Palmer (8)			Senior Palmer (12)
1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00
			3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00
Hogan (16)			Senior Hogan (8)
1st - Gift Certificate	$250.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$125.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00
3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00
4th - Gift Certificate	$50.00
Sarazen (8)			Senior Sarazen (7)
1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$75.00
Jones (13)			Snead (4)
1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$125.00
3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00
Prizes
Trophies	$400.00
Golf Galaxy Gift Cards	$2,550.00
Golf Galaxy	$50.00
Golf Galaxy	$50.00
Bridgestone Balls	$40.00
Bridgestone Balls	$40.00
Skins	$615.00
Closest to Pins	$560.00
Total Prize Pool	$4,305.00

GCAmTour-Houston, Gleannloch Pines Fall Shootout - Tournament Recap, November 2, 2013

Jeff Zemencsik (Houston, TX) – GCAmTour-Houston tour players battle difficult conditions at Gleannloch Pines Golf Club.  The closely contested tournament produced four playoffs to determine flight champions in Palmer, Hogan, Senior Hogan, and Jones Flights. 

The Course:  Gleannloch Pines Golf Club, Spring, Texas.  Difficult scoring conditions were created by 6+ inches of rain earlier in the week combined with a cold front that produced 15-20mph N winds throughout the day.  The course was in great condition with green tees, fairways, and putting surfaces.  The soaking rains and steady winds made the course play long, soft, and spongy.  The greens were smooth, firm, and fast, running 10+.   

The Weather:  An amazing day to be outside and play golf with blue sky and sunshine all day with no clouds in sight.  The cold front that came through the night before produced steady winds from the N, 15-20mph.  Temperatures were cooler in the morning, 50’s and warmed up to the mid 70’s. 

The Tournament: 

Championship Flight:  Top 4:  Martin Nealey (77), Randy Tadlock (79), Babak Mobasheri (80), Nathan Ashley (83).

Martin Nealey made his Championship Flight debut after being promoted from the Palmer Flight at the end of last season.  Nealey captured his first victory of the season two strokes clear and round of 77.  Nealey went out in 39 and in with a 38, carding eleven pars and a birdie at the par-5 4^th hole.  Randy Tadlock finished with runner up honors and round of 79.  Tadlock carded ten pars and a birdie at the par-5 16^th hole.  Babak Mobasheri finished with third place honors and round of 80.  Mobasheri carded eight pars and a birdie at the par-3 5^th hole.  Nathan Ashley finished with fourth place honors and round of 83.  Ashley carded ten pars and a birdie on the par-4 13^th hole, but found trouble at the par-4 9^th hole. 

Palmer Flight:  Top 5:  Frank Wallace (76/36), Rusty Stark (76/38), Wayne Taylor (77/38/27/16/4/3), Tino Flores (77/38/27/16/4/5), Cedric Smith (78/39/26), McLeod Glass (78/39/27).

“Scorecard Playoff” determines the winner of the closely contested Palmer Flight.  Frank Wallace and Rusty Stark both carded rounds of 76.  Wallace wins the first tiebreaker with a back nine total of 36.  Wallace carded eleven pars and a birdie at the par-4 11^th hole.  Congratulations to Frank Wallace for the victory, successfully defending his title at Gleannloch from last season, and on his wedding last Saturday!  Rusty Stark took advantage of a late entry and also fired a round of 76.  Stark carded a back nine total of 38 for runner up honors.  Stark also carded eight pars and birdies at holes 1, 4, and 11.  Wayne Taylor finished with third place honors and round of 77/38/27/16/4/3, fifth tiebreaker.  Taylor carded eleven pars and a birdie at the par-4 12^th hole.  Tino Flores finished with fourth place honors and round of 77/38/27/16/4/5, fifth tiebreaker.  Flores carded nine pars and birdies at holes 11 and 12.  Cedrick Smith finished with fifth place honors and round of 78/39/26, second tiebreaker over McLeod Glass.  Smith carded twelve pars on the round.  Glass carded nine pars and a birdie at the par-3 5^th hole, closest to pin winner.

Senior Palmer Flight:  Top 5:  Art Flores (80), David Anthony (81/39), Ernie Dyer (81/40), Robert Corbello (82/38), Todd McLane (82/40).

Art Flores captured his first victory of the new season just one stroke clear of the field and round of 80.  Flores was steady on the round, carding thirteen pars, a nice follow up to his runner up finish at the Cypress Lakes opener.  David Anthony finished with runner up honors and round of 81/39.  Anthony carded twelve pars on the day.  Ernie Dyer made his tour debut with a third place finish and round of 81/40.  Dyer carded nine pars on his round.  Robert Corbello finished with fourth place honors and round of 82/38.  Corbello carded ten pars on the round including a 38 back nine run.  Todd McLane made his tour debut with a fifth place finish and round of 82/40.  McLane carded six pars and birdies at holes 13 and 15. 

Hogan Flight:  Top 5:  Rick Keszeg (81/38), Jeff Stahlhut (81/39), Roger Masek (84), James Sheppeard (85/41), Hunter Hudgens (85/42).

“Scorecard Playoff” determines the winner of the closely contested Hogan Flight.  Rick Keszeg, 2013 Flight Champion, picked up where he left off, winning the Hogan Flight at Gleannloch Pines.  Both Keszeg and Jeff Stahlhut both carded rounds of 81.  Keszeg’s back nine total of 38 was one stroke better than Stahlhut’s 39.  Keszeg carded nine pars in regulation play with a 3-over par 38 back nine.  Stahlhut carded nine pars and a birdie at the par-3 10^th hole, finishing runner up for the second event in a row.  Roger Masek returned to tour action and finished with third place honors and round of 84.  Masek carded eight pars on the day.  James Sheppeard finished with fourth place honors and round of 85/41, a nice follow to his victory at Cypress Lakes.  Sheppeard carded six pars and a birdie at the par-4 2^nd hole.  Hunter Hudgens finished with fifth place honors and round of 85/42.  Hudgens carded seven pars on the day.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Top 5:  Daryl Epperson (80/36), Vernon Wells (80/38), Keith Grissom (80/40), Christopher Phillips (80/41), John Hilgers (83).

“Scorecard Playoff” determines the winner in the closely contested Senior Hogan Flight at Gleannloch Pines Golf Club with four golfers carding rounds of 80.  Daryl Epperson captured the victory on the first tiebreaker with a back nine total of 1-over par 36.  Epperson carded eleven pars on the day, going out in 44 and in with a 36.  Vernon Wells finished with runner up honors and round of 80/38.  Wells carded nine pars and a birdie at the par-5 16^th hole, going out in 42 and in with a 38.  Keith Grissom finished with third place honors and round of 80/40.  Grissom carded six pars and birdies at holes 1 and 13, going out in 40 and in with a 40.  Christopher Phillips finished with fourth place honors and round of 80/41.  Phillips carded nine pars and a birdie at the par-3 5^th hole, out in 39 and in with a 41.  John Hilgers made the trip over from the Hill Country Tour worthwhile and finished with fifth place honors and round of 83.  Hilgers carded six pars and a birdie at the par-4 13^th hole.

Sarazen Flight:  Top 5:  Massimo Passini (79), Rick Smalley (85), Ronnie Davis (86), Adam Bray (91/40), Gary Gum (91/44), Brandon Bellinger (91/46).

Massimo Passini captured his first win of the season with and impressive six stroke clear round of 79.  Passini carded nine pars and birdies at holes 7 and 13 en route to the victory.  Rick Smalley captured runner up honors for the second consecutive event with a round of 85.  Smalley carded four pars and a birdie at the par-5 4^th hole.  Ronnie Davis made the trip over from the Hill Country Tour worthwhile and finished with third place honors and round of 86.  Davis carded six pars and a birdie at the par-5 1^st hole.  Adam Bray finished with fourth place honors and round of 91/40.  Bray carded three pars and a birdie at the par-5 16^th hole.  Gary Gum finished with fifth place honors and round of 91/44, carding three pars.  Brandon Bellinger also carded a round of 91 but lost the first tiebreaker with a back nine total of 46, carding four pars on the day. 

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Top 5:  Mike Innes (75), Mark Kirby (81), Glynn Aldredge (82), L.P. Jones (85/39), Tom Dyer (85/41).

Mike Innes continues to improve his game and the former Snead, Jones, and now Sr. Sarazen player carded the low round of the tournament, 75.  Perhaps the next to step to Sr. Hogan is in his future?  Time will tell but the six-stroke victory is his first of the new season.  Innes carded an amazing thirteen pars and a birdie at the par-4 12^th hole.  Mark Kirby finished with runner up honors and round of 81.  Kirby carded seven pars and a birdie at the par-4 7^th hole.  Glynn Aldredge made his tour debut and finished with third place honors and round of 82.  Aldredge carded eight pars on the round, out in 42 and with a 40.  L.P. Jones finished with fourth place honors and round of 85/39, carding nine pars on the day.  Jones also won the Troops First 50/50 raffle for $350.00.  Tom Dyer finished with fifth place honors and round of 85/41.  Dyer carded eight pars on the day, out in 44 and with a 41.

Jones Flight:  Top 5:  Kyle Young (83/39), Woody Casasent (83/40), Mark Dion (83/43), Mike Murphy (86/40), George Torres (86/42), Rick Halprin (86/45).

“Scorecard Playoff” determines the winner in the closely contested Jones Flight at Gleannloch Pines Golf Club with three golfers carding round of 83.  Kyle Young goes “back-to-back” after winning the opener at Cypress Lakes with a victory at Gleannloch Pines.  Young’s winning round of 83/39 included nine pars, perhaps a flight promotion in the near future?  Woody Casasent finished with runner up honors for the second consecutive event, this time with a round of 83/40.  Casasent carded five pars and birdies at holes 1 and 8.  Mark Dion finished with third place honors and round of 83/43.  Dion carded nine pars on the day.  Mike Murphy finished with fourth place honors and round of 86/40.  Murphy finished the day with four pars and a birdie at the par-4 13^th hole.   George Torres made his tour debut with the fifth place finish and round of 86/42, carding seven pars.  Rick Halprin lost the back nine tiebreaker and finished sixth place with a round of 86/45, including six pars.

Snead Flight:  Carl Eaton (91), Marcy Glidden (98), Mark Colwell (99/50/31), Bryce Kocian (99/50/35), Javier Quintero (101).

Carl Eaton captured his first victory of the season with an impressive seven stroke clear round of 91.  Eaton carded four pars and a birdie at the par-4 13^th hole, out with a 48 and in with a 43.  Marcy Glidden, reining flight champion, captured runner up honors with a round of 98.  Glidden carded two pars on the day.  Mark Colwell made the trip down from the DFW Tour worthwhile and finished with third place honors and round of 99/50/31.  Colwell carded one pars and eleven bogeys on the day.  Bryce Kocian finished with fourth place honors and round of 99/50/35, losing on the second tiebreaker.  Kocian carded three pars and seven bogeys on the day.  Javier Quintero finished with fifth place honors and round of 101.  Quintero carded four pars and birdies at holes 4 and 5 on the round. 

In addition to the flight winners, the following players won optional side games:

Par-3 “Shootout” on the 28^th Hole:
33.5”, Woody Casasent - $280.00

11’2”, David Arnold - $168.00

11’7”, Frank Wallace - $112.00 (Borrowed a gap wedge for Roger Masek and hit the shot in the dark) Nice job Frank!

Closest to the pin $185.00

#3, John Scott

#5, McLeod Glass

#10, David L. Smith

#15, Traylor Sells

#17, Harry Johnson

Skins Championship/Palmer:  $125.00

Milton Kirkwood, #3

David Guy, #9

Skins Winners Hogan/Sarazen:  $125.00

James Sheppeard, #2

John Scott, #3

Matt Purgahn, #8

Kevin Cruthirds, #11

Skins Winners Jones/Snead:  $50.00

Woody Casasent, #1 & #8

Javier Quintero, #5

David L. Smith, #10

50/50 Raffle:

L.P. Jones, $350.00

Prizes:

Golf Galaxy $50 gift card, Ray Bednar

Golf Galaxy $50 gift card, Todd McLane

Bridgestone Balls, Harry Johnson

Bridgestone Balls, Martin Nealey

Flight Winners:

Winners	Awards		Winners	Awards
Championship (5)
1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$50.00
Palmer (7)			Senior Palmer (13)
1st - Gift Certificate	$150.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$75.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$125.00
			3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00
Hogan (13)			Senior Hogan (18)
1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$125.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$125.00
3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00		3rd - Gift Certificate	$100.00
			4th - Gift Certificate	$75.00
			5th - Gift Certificate	$50.00
Sarazen (12)			Senior Sarazen (12)
1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00
3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00		3rd - Gift Certificate	$75.00
Jones (17)			Snead (10)
1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00		1st - Gift Certificate	$200.00
2nd - Gift Certificate	$125.00		2nd - Gift Certificate	$100.00
3rd - Gift Certificate	$100.00		3rd - Gift Certificate	$50.00
4th - Gift Certificate	$75.00
5th - Gift Certificate	$50.00
Prizes
Trophies	$400.00
Golf Galaxy Gift Cards	$3,425.00
Golf Galaxy	$50.00
Golf Galaxy	$50.00
Bridgestone Balls	$40.00
Bridgestone Balls	$40.00
Skins	$950.00
Closest to Pins	$900.00
Par-3 Shootout	$580.00
Total Prize Pool	$6,435.00