South Texas State Winter Championship - 2014

Houston Tour Takes the Team Contest

Scott R Chilcutt, New Ulm, TX (December 7, 2014)   The Falls Resort and Golf Club in New Ulm, TX came highly recommended as a location for a Houston Tour event while speaking with two gentleman from the Houston Tour during the 2014 - Texas Masters at Barton Creek.  Then came a number of members that added the venue to the list with a Start / Stop / Keep correspondence that would require further investigation. After a visit to the facility it became clear, that not only should we contest an event at the site, we should schedule it with the Hill Country Tour in a special two day South Texas Winter Championship.   

Mild and mostly dry weather greeted the sold out field to a great test of golf. Challenging greens, with a course set up that attempted to use all the clubs in a player's bag held true to the challenge.  Dion Casto (Jones Flight), Mark Boles (Senior Jones Flight) and Bobby Ashcraft (Snead Flight) took advantage of the Srixon Ball Challenge by winning their respective flights and will get a dozen sent to them.  The Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving went to Bobby Stokes, by four strokes over Burnie Rodgers.



STROKE PLAY RESULTS:

Championship Flight:   Sapulpa, OK traveler, Curt Howard, made par on his first eight holes on Saturday, followed up with a couple of birdies on his back to finish the half way point with a six stroke advantage. Sunday's round would prove to be a little more tumultuous, when Spring Branch, TX player, Mark Miller cut the deficit in half going out, then took the lead after stringing together pars on his first five holes on the back.  Swapping the lead for a couple of holes, Miller would then birdie on the par 4 - 17th to look like the Championship was his, only to have a rough final hole and end in the runner up spot.  It was Curt's sixteenth win on tour, including four Major Championships.   Daniel Desilets of Kermit, TX finished two strokes back of Miller on consistent scoring to finish out the top three.

Palmer Flight:   Ron Finnerty of San Antonio, TX took an overnight two stroke lead into the final round on Sunday.  Finnerty then took one stroke off his first round total to capture his ninth win on tour.  Starting Sunday with a four stroke deficit, Lufkin, TX player, Frank Wallace dropped a stroke on his first nine holes, but played his final nine in +2 jumping over three players for the second place finish.  Stringing two birdies together on the par 4 - 18th and par 5 - 1st,  Dave Davlin of San Antonio, TX advanced a couple of spots to share the show place honors with Orange, TX resident Rick Keszeg, with a birdie of his own on the par 5 - 15th on Sunday. 

Senior Palmer Flight:   Promoted just before the 2014 Senior National Championship, Iraan, TX player Doug Collins bettered his Saturday start by eight strokes to advance five spots to pick up his fifth win on tour and first since his promotion. In his debut as a Senior Palmer, promoted after his win at the November Katy Classic @ The Golf Club of Cinco Ranch, Bruce Beakley of Houston, TX continued his steady play holding on to his overnight runner up lineup spot. Cypress, TX member,  Traylor Sells matched his Saturday scores on the final round and rounded out the top three.

Hogan Flight:  Derrick Matthews of Killeen, TX used birdies on the par 5 - 1st and par 3 - 8th to drop eight strokes on his second round to take over the lead from Tomball, TX overnight leader James Sheppeard. It was the seventh win on tour for Matthews and first of the season. Matt Purgahn of Orange, TX eliminated five strokes on his final round to advance three spots to share the third place honors with Dallas Tour traveler, Cody Wright.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Taking a share of the first round lead into Sunday, Rosharon, TX player Bobby Stokes birdied his tenth hole of the round, the par 5 - 1st to solidify his second win on tour. Kevin Cruthirds of Richmond, TX put it into overdrive on Sunday to card the weekend's low round with four birdies on his back nine to catapult himself from seventh to a share of the runner up finish with Houston, TX resident Robert Hayward.  

Sarazen Flight:   Kyle Young of Bellaire, TX, led the flight wire to wire to pick up his seventh win on tour, including five during the 2014 points season.  Young used a birdie on the par 5 - 15th to stay out in front of first round runner up,  Hockley, TX player Ross Gonzales.  Gonzales, made birdies on the par 5 - 1st and par 3 - 16th to reduce his Saturday deficit, but fell one stroke shy of the win. Hill Country Tour player, Scott Thompson of Helotes, TX used a pair of birdies on Sunday to get to the third place finish.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Houston Tour member, Greg Faubion of Richmond, TX looked at the leader board on Saturday night and found himself one stroke out of the top three and six strokes out of the lead.  As the only player in the top five from his local tour, it must have been just enough motivation on Sunday when Faubion birdied his first hole out of the gate, struggled the rest of the way out, but rebounded for a +4 on the back nine to take off eight strokes from his first day finish to pick up his second win on tour.  Charles Sagray of San Antonio, TX held out for the second place honors with the help of a birdie on the par 4 - 11th after two birdies on the first round.   Haslet, TX player, Burnie Rodgers, with birdies on the par 4 - 4th and par 5 - 5th during the weekend rounded out the top three.

Jones Flight:  Dallas Tour player, Dion Casto of Parker, TX led wire to wire to pick up his fourth win on tour and first since the March 2013 - Frisco Lakes Challenge. Casto, shedding a great deal of weight with a vigorous work out schedule, had one birdie on the weekend to finish three strokes ahead of San Angelo, TX first time player Douglas Taylor.  Taylor finished two consistent rounds to outpace third place finisher, James Price of Portland, TX.

Senior Jones Flight:   One stroke out of the lead on Saturday, Mark Boles from nearby Sealy, TX, with a health scare after the 2014 National Championship, didn't let that slow him down.  Boles took three strokes off his first day total to win his fifth Championship on tour with a four stroke advantage over Huntsville, TX resident Neil Macdonald in the second place finish.  Scott Sammons of Katy, TX took seven off his first round score to vault into a tie for the third place finish with first year, Eastland, TX member Terry Everts. 

Snead Flight:   Bobby Ashcraft became a three time winner on tour and first since his relocation to San Antonio, TX from Dallas at the 2011- Grand Prairie Classic @ Tangle Ridge. Ashcraft, the first round leader tried to give it away early in his Sunday round, but righted the ship for his final four holes to win by three.  Carl Eaton of Conroe, TX eliminated five strokes on Sunday from his first round score to pick up his third runner up finish in a row.  Bryce Kocian of Wharton, TX rounded out the top three with the help of a birdie on the par 4 - 18th hole on Sunday.   



TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS:

Saturday stroke play results were utilized to pair players for a Sunday (scorecard only) match play championship pitting the Hill Country and Houston Tour players for a special traveling trophy.  Early rounds looked as though the Hill Country might make it out of New Ulm with a win, but five of the last seven went to the team from the east for the 12 1/2 - 8 1/2 win.  Things are already in the works to set up the rematch in 2015.   

Mark Miller v. Patrick Cannon - (HC) M. Miller Won 7 and 6 
Ron Finnerty v. Rick Keszeg - (HC) R. Finnerty Won 1 up
Frank Wallace v. Todd VanDerSchaegen - (HOU) F. Wallace Won 5 and 4
Roger Masek v. Chris Wadle - Match halved
Doug Collins v. Bob Fuller - (HC) D. Collins Won 6 and 4
Bruce Beakley v. Larry Susen - (HOU) B. Beakley Won 2 and 1
Derrick Matthews v. James Sheppeard - (HC) D. Matthews Won 7 and 6
Matt Wolfe v. Ronnie Davis - (HOU) M. Wolfe Won 2 and 1
Bobby Stokes v. Darrell Wilson - (HOU) B. Stokes Won 4 and 3
Robert Hayward v. Robert Jalnos - (HOU) R. Hayward Won 2 up
Greg Faubion v. Charles Sagray - (HOU) G. Faubion Won 5 and 3
James McKee v. Jim Craig - (HC) J. McKee Won 3 and 1
Mark Kirby v. Michael Brewer - (HOU) M. Kirby Won 2 and 1
Bobby Ashcraft v. Bryce Kocian - (HC) B. Ashcraft Won 2 and 1
Carl Eaton v. Christopher Cobb - (HOU) C. Eaton Won 4 and 2
Robert Haddon v. Jimmy Clanin - (HOU) R. Haddon Won 6 and 5
John Merritt v. Marshall Sweed - (HC) J. Merritt Won 1 up
Kyle Young v. Scott Thompson - (HOU) K. Young Won 1 up
Ross Gonzales v. C.D. Dunem - (HOU) R. Gonzales Won 4 and 3
Kristopher Bixby v. Michael Hill - (HOU) K. Bixby Won 1 up
Carlos Cruz v. Patrick Richardson - (HC) C. Cruz Won 2 up

SKINS:


Saturday - DAY 1

Giant SKINS: ($110/each)  1 -- Daniel Desilets, Kermit, TX; Scott Thompson, Helotes, TX; Bob Fuller, Magnolia, TX; Jim Craig, San Felipe, TX; Matt Purgahn, Orange, TX; Carl Eaton, Conroe, TX.

Championship / Palmer/ Senior Palmer: ($105/each)  1 -- Mark Echols, Diana, TX; Daniel Desilets, Kermit, TX; David Anthony, Cypress, TX; Bob Fuller, Magnolia, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan:  ($76/each)  1 -- Ronnie Davis, Converse, TX; Gus Aldana, Houston, TX; Matt Purgahn, Orange, TX; Darrell Wilson, Georgetown, TX; Robert Hayward, Houston, TX.

Sarazen:  ($65/each)  2 -- Kyle Young, Bellaire, TX. 1 -- Devin Brown, San Antonio, TX; Scott Thompson, Helotes, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  ($40/each)  2 -- Charles Sagray, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- James McKee, Abilene, TX; Burnie Rodgers, Haslet, TX; Greg Faubion, Richmond, TX; Jim Craig, San Felipe, TX.


Jones / Senior Jones / Snead: ($72/each)  2 -- Mark Boles, Sealy, TX. 1 -- Carl Eaton, Conroe, TX; Terry Everts, Eastland, TX; Marshall Sweed, Sugar Land, TX.

Sunday - DAY 2

Giant SKINS:  ($70/each)  2 -- Kevin Cruthirds, Richmond, TX. 1 -- Mark Miller, Spring Branch, TX; Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX; David Anthony, Cypress, TX; Bruce Beakley, Houston, TX; Charles Sagray, San Antonio, TX; Matt Wolfe, Groves, TX; John Merritt, Kerrville, TX.

Championship / Palmer / Senior Palmer:  ($50/each)  1 -- Mark Echols, Diana, TX; Mark Miller, Spring Branch, TX; Curt Howard, Sapulpa, OK; Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX; Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX; Rick Keszeg, Orange, TX; David Anthony, Cypress, TX; Bruce Beakley, Houston, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan: ($48/each)  3 -- Kevin Cruthirds, Richmond, TX. 2 -- Matt Wolfe, Groves, TX. 1 -- Randy Tate, Sugarland, TX; Manny Martinez, Cisco, TX.

Sarazen:  ($40/each)  2 -- Devin Brown, San Antonio, TX; Scott Thompson, Helotes, TX. 1 -- Carlos Cruz, San Antonio, TX; Kyle Young, Bellaire, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  ($34/each)  2 -- Burnie Rodgers, Haslet, TX. 1 -- Charles Sagray, San Antonio, TX; James McKee, Abilene, TX; Greg Faubion, Richmond, TX; Jim Craig, San Felipe, TX; Mark Kirby, Bridge City, TX.


Jones / Senior Jones / Snead:  ($50/each)  1 -- Douglas Taylor, San Angelo, TX; Daryl Nixon, Taylor, TX; John Merritt, Kerrville, TX; Carl Eaton, Conroe, TX; Bryce Kocian, Wharton, TX; Terry Everts, Eastland, TX; Scott Sammons, Katy, TX.



DAY 1 - CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($150/each)  #3 - Ed Neeley - 11'0";  #8 - Curt Howard - 20";  #12 - Carl Eaton  - 2'11"; #14 - Matt Purgahn - 6' 8"


DAY 2 - CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($150/each)  #3 - Kevin Cruthirds - 13'4";  #8 - Scott Thompson - 4'6";  #12 - Ed Neeley  - 6'3"; #14 - John Merritt - 9' 4"


NEXT UP:

The 2015 Calendar Season takes off on Saturday, January 24th, 2015 at The Port Aransas Open to be contested at Palmilla Beach Resort.  REGISTRATION CLOSES on Friday, January 16th, 2015 at 11:59PM EST


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

Champions Crowned - Houston Tour - The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch

Scott R Chilcutt, Katy, TX (November 8, 2014)  The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, conveniently located to the west side of Houston in Katy, TX played host to the second Houston Tour Event of the 2015 points season on the Golf Channel AM Tour.  Beautiful weather with only a scattering of clouds and an occasional sprinkle welcomed tour players to reasonably paced rounds, well under 4 1/2 hours for all groups, and absent any pace of play penalties for the second time on the 2015 points season.

Christopher Phillips came up short in a playoff for his Flight Championship, but went on to win the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving.  Bruce Beakley, took advantage of the Srixon Ball Challenge, winning his flight and putting another dozen balls in his bag.


RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Vidor, TX member Robert Corbello came into the weekend, self promoted to the Championship flight wanting to compete and did he.  Corbello, birdied the par 4 - 8th to get himself into contention playing the back nine in +3 to force a playoff with fellow Vidor, TX player, Aaron Pickering.  Pickering, with two birdies on the front side, went to the extra holes and finished out his fifth win on tour, three holes into the sudden death with a birdie to cap off the win.  Senior Championship player, Fred Rich from Tomaball, TX and Damon Garcia of Fannell, TX shared the third pace honors.

Palmer Flight:  Frank Wallace of Lufkin, TX, playing the par 4 - 13th longer than the rest of the field with an errant shot, carded two birdies on the par 3 - 5th (2'2") and the par 5 - 15th for his first win on the year and twenty second on tour.  First year player, Cameron Null playing out of the Hill Country Tour finished three strokes back for the runner up finish with Kyle Heinrich of Houston, TX, in his second event on tour, rounding out the top three.

Senior Palmer Flight:   Playing in his second event, Whitney, TX resident, John Price started the round on the rough side, but finished his back nine in +2 for his first win on tour.  Three strokes back, Arthur Flores of Houston,TX with a birdie on the par 4 - 13th edged out a pair in the third place finish.   Harold Jackson of Baytown, TX and his birdie on the par 3 - 12th and Cypress, TX member Traylor Sells, with a birdie on the par 4 - 2nd split the third place finish.

Hogan Flight:   Starting his day on the tenth hole, Matt Wolfe of Groves, TX made par on seven of his first eight holes, stumbled making the turn, but righted the ship with a birdie on the par 4 - 8th to pick up his first win on tour.  Two strokes back, visiting Washington DC Tour player, Kevin Green of Gainesville, VA birdied his ninth hole, the par 4 - 10th to secure the runner up finish with James Sheppeard of Tomball, TX and Hill Country Tour player Ronnie Davis of Converse, TX splitting the third place honors.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Bruce Beakley of Houston and Richmond, TX player Christopher Phillips came to the end of regulation, all square.  Going back out for a sudden death playoff it would take the pair four more holes to settle the score, when Beakley made a birdie on the par 4 - 13th.  It was Beakley's seventh win on tour after picking up three straight runner up finishes on the 2015 points season and most likely his last event as a Senior Hogan with a promotion looming in his future.  Mike Hafner from nearby Katy, TX grabbed the show position finish with his sub 80 round.   

Sarazen Flight:  Bryan Young of Houston, TX cruised along the front nine +3, made seven pars in a row during his mid round, and then came to the par 4 - 13th where he carded a +5 - 9.  Young would bounce back two holes later with a birdie on the par 5 - 15th for a three stroke win, his third win on tour and first since the 2013 The Woodlands Player "Challenge".   Rick Smalley of College Station, TX, with two birdies on the day secured the runner up finish, one stroke ahead of Houston, TX, player Rick Houchins rounding out the top three.

Senior Sarazen Flight:   Houston resident, John Scott carded birdies on the par 3 - 5th, par 4 - 7th and par 5 - 15th for his fifth win on tour, one of the five coming at the 2013 Senior National Championships.  Marty Hodges of Richmond, TX fell just one stroke short for the runner up finish with Cypress, TX resident Will Whitley staking claim to the third place finish.

Jones Flight:  With a T2 and T3 finish already on the books for the points season, Woody Casasent of Barker, TX broke through for his first win on tour edging out Rick Halprin of Houston by one stroke on the front nine.  Mark Dion of Spring, TX and Brookshire, TX player Marcy Glidden split the third place honors two strokes back of Halprin.

Snead Flight:  Perry Dragon of Houston, carded two birdies on the day to become another first time winner on tour.  Four strokes back, playing in his first event on tour since the 2011 season opener, Rick Blount also of Houston, secured the runner up spot with Stephen Sater of Sugar Land, TX and Bryan, TX first year member Robert Haddon knotted up to round out the top three.   




SKINS:

Giant SKINS: ($90/each)   2 -- Aaron Pickering, Vidor, TX. 1 -- Matthew Elwell, Houston, TX; Arthur Flores, Houston, TX; Kevin Green, Gainesville, VA; Christopher Phillips, Richmond, TX.

Championship: ($30/each)   2 -- Aaron Pickering, Vidor, TX. 1 -- Hayden Adair, College Station, TX; Josh Stout, Houston, TX; Robert Corbello, Vidor, TX; Damon Garcia, Fannett, TX.

Palmer / Senior Palmer:  ($55/each)   2 -- Wayne Taylor, Missouri City, TX. 1 -- Kyle Heinrich, Houston, TX; Frank Wallace, Lufkin, TX; Arthur Flores, Houston, TX; Harold Jackson, Baytown, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan: ( $45/each)   2 -- Christopher Phillips, Richmond, TX. 1 -- Matthew Elwell, Houston, TX; Kevin Green, Gainesville, VA; James Sheppeard, Tomball, TX; Matt Wolfe, Groves, TX; Bill Schuster, Jersey Village, TX; George Smith, Magnolia, TX.

Sarazen: ($22/each)   3 -- Bryan Young, Houston, TX. 2 -- Rick Smalley, College Station, TX. 1 -- Rick Houchins, Houston, TX; Michael Hill, Live Oak, TX.

Senior Sarazen: ($30/each)    2 -- John Scott, Houston, TX. 1 -- Robert Hayter, Houston, TX; Marty Hodges, Richmond, TX; Will Whitley, Cypress, TX.

Jones / Snead: ($20/each)  3 -- Perry Dragon, Houston, TX. 2 -- Thomas Dubrock, Friendswood, TX; Rick Blount, Houston, TX. 1 -- Woody Casasent, Barker, TX; Mike Murphy, Corrigan, TX; Rick Halprin, Houston, TX.



CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($145/each)  #3 - Kyle Heinrich - 3'11";  #5 - Frank Wallace - 2'2";  #12 - Marty Hodges - 8'0"; #16 - Larry Viktorin 1' 4 3/4"



NEXT UP:

The Hill Country Tour resumes action at the Winter Championship @ Canyon Springs on Saturday November 22nd.

Next on the Houston Tour schedule players from around the state will take on The Falls Golf Resort and Club in New Ulm, TX for the two day South Texas Winter Championship on December 6th and 7th.   While single rooms are still available for this event most of the Villa's are sold out.  If you plan on playing, book your accommodations early.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

The Fall Classic at Dancing Rabbit

Scott R Chilcutt, Choctaw, MS (October 26, 2014)  Pearl River Resort, in Choctaw, MS played host to the first Golf Channel AM Tour, Major Championship contested in the State of Mississippi at The Fall Classic at Dancing Rabbit.  The resort, operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is set in the rolling hills and pine trees known in the East / Central part of the state.  

AM Tour members from 23 states and Canada, representing 26 tours were welcomed to two beautiful Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate designed courses.  While both had similar terrain, that's where the similarities ended.  Bermuda fairways and Bent greens highlighted the Azeleas course, while Zoysia fairways led to Bermuda greens on The Oaks layout setting up for a weekend that would require innovation and flexibility.  

Players, contributed $1,000 to the Feherty's Troops First Foundation, participating in the 50/50 raffle.


RESULTS:

Palmer Flight:  Coming off of two birdies to offset a double bogey on the Azeleas course for a first round even par day, Lance Evans of Oxford, AL extended his lead on the final round to post a sixteen stroke victory, his fourth straight win of the season and ninth on tour.  Iowa Tour member, Christopher Brueggeman from Carlisle, IA carded three birdies on the weekend and held on to his first round runner up spot by one stroke. Jumping from two strokes out of a National Championship qualification spot after Saturday's round, Shanga White of Norcross, GA, finished his Sunday round, with a one stroke advantage over the fourth spot, stamping his ticket to the Nationals.

Senior Palmer Flight:  Mesa, AZ resident, Tony Ham settled into a lead Saturday on the back nine with three birdies and never looked back. Bettering his first round finish by three strokes with the help of two more birdies, Ham took his third Major Championship after previous wins on both coasts at the 2013 Pinehurst Amateur Championship and 2014 Pacific Northwest Major Championship. Dallas Tour member, Michael Fee of Mansfield, TX jumped into a tie for second, after a third place first round,  With Chicago Tour player, Steve Dlugosinski from Elk Grove, IL.

Hogan Flight:  Two strokes out of the lead following Saturday's round on The Oaks course,  it didn't look good for Donovan Childers of Frankfort, KY after doubling his first two holes on Sunday. After the bad start Childers, would get into a rhythm and finish the remaining holes +4 with the help of a birdie on the par 4 -6th to win his first Major Championship, third win of the points season and fifth overall.  Greensboro, GA player, Torben Dileng, six strokes out of the first round lead, finished one stroke out of the championship, taking five strokes off his Saturday total. Rich Adams of Miramar Beach, FL, also starting his Sunday final, six strokes back picked up the final National Championship qualification, just two strokes back. 

Senior Hogan Flight:  In the final pairing on Sunday, with the help of three birdies on his first round, St Louis Tour member, Randy Miller Wentzville, MO started his day on the 15th hole of The Oaks course shotgun. Four pars out of the gate, Miller would get a little loose during the middle part of his day, but finish with six straight pars to record his first Major Championship title and eighth win on tour.  Equaling Millers final round 78, Chelsea, AL resident, Mike Williamson jumped into a share of the runner up finish playing his first fourteen holes at +3, with first round leader, Bruce Beakley of Houston, TX.  Beakley, with three birdies on the weekend, including his second hole on Sunday, took the final Senior National Championship invitation.

Sarazen Flight:  Gulf Coast Tour member,  Matt McCollister of  Addis, LA and Birmingham Tour player, Jonathan Sun couldn't settle the score after 36 holes.  McCollister, with three birdies on his Saturday round and a four stroke advantage heading into the final 18 holes, opened the door to Sun on his last hole of the weekend, where Jonathan would take advantage of the extra sudden death holes for his first win on tour. Chet Lovelace of Alabaster, AL used two birdies on the weekend for his best finish at a Major Championship punching his ticket to the Nationals.  Kirk Trussell of  Houma, LA carded his first hole in one, taking advantage of the $500 gift card promotion, withe an 8 iron on the 154 par 3 - 13th on Sunday.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  The top three from the first round at The Oaks course, took it to a tenth hole start on Sunday and the battle was on.  Bruce LeGrand of Houston, TX, one stroke back starting the day would even up the pairing with a birdie on the par 3 - 13th, but fall back on the next hole to grab the show position finish.   Newark, DE player, Arthur Young, carded seven straight pars to finish his first nine holes with a commanding lead, only to hit a wall on his 17th hole of the day, relegating himself to the runner up finish, when Houston Tour player,  Mark Kirby of Bridge City, TX played his final five holes at +3 for a two stroke victory. It was Kirby's second Major Championship after winning the 2012 Texas Open at Horseshoe Bay and sixth win on tour.

Jones Flight:  Chris Conaway of Atlanta, GA picked up his first win on tour outlasting Euless, TX resident Tom Stockton by a single stroke.  Starting the Sunday round knotted in the top spot both players would begin play on the fourth hole of The Oaks course shotgun, Conaway would take the lead early, but never really get too far away when Stockton made up ground on the 17th and 18th holes of the final round, falling short of the win. With the help of two birdies on his final round, Doyle Fleming of Haslet, TX jumped into the T3 finish taking ten strokes off his first day total, with Chillicothe, IL resident, Richard Ledbetter making a big move of his own to share the final National Championship qualification.

Snead Flight:  Atlanta, GA player, Mario Miller started the Sunday round tied in the fifth place spot five strokes back.  Miller played two consistent nines taking eight strokes off his first day total for his third win on tour and first Major Championship.  Rodney Langley Oneonta, AL sharing that fifth place spot after Saturday's round, jumped his way into the runner up spot with Arkansas Tour member, Scott Bundrick of Conway, AR rounding out the top three.




NEXT UP:

North Texas 2015 actions gets under way at the Frisco Lakes Challenge on Saturday, November 1st.

The Houston Tour gets back to play at the November 8th Katy Classic / Cinco Ranch, registration closes on Friday, October 30th.

The Hill Country Tour resumes action at the Winter Championship @ Canyon Springs on Saturday November 22nd.




FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

 

Houston Tour Opens 2015 Points Season - Cypress Open

No repeat winners, four first time Champions, three career low rounds set the stage for the 2015 Points Season!

Scott R Chilcutt, Cypress, TX (October 12, 2014)  Cloudy, with nice breezes, the day would be filled with new stories to be told as the first of the Texas Tours on the Golf Channel AM Tour would open the 2015 points season.

The Cypress Open on the Houston Tour, contested at  Cypress Lakes Golf Cub, where events have been played since 2008,  offered a few of the same stories, but not many. Great course conditions along with slick but smooth greens may have been the only tales of the past.  While rain may have contributed to some earlier events, only a quick 10 minute downpour and a few lightning bolts would slow down this day.  

Steve Nagy and Gene Macha took advantage of the Srixon Ball Challenge, winning their flights, and grabbing a dozen Srixon golf balls of their choice presented by Srixon.  Steve Killion, became the first time Tournament Champion, presented by Carlisle's Engraving, shooting a career low round.


RESULTS:

Championship Flight:   First time Tour Player, 22 year old Patrick Cannon of Houston, TX carded birdies on the par 5 - 2nd,  par 4 -  6th and par 3 - 17th for the win.  Three strokes back,  Fannett, TX player, Damon Garcia, another first timer on tour,  played the middle eight holes of his round in -2 with birdies on the par 5 - 8th and par 5 - 10th for the runner up finish.  Four time tour winner, Aaron Pickering from Vidor, TX rounded out the top three, three strokes back.

Palmer Flight:   Beginning his third year on tour, Missouri City, TX resident,  Wayne Taylor had a pair of T3 finishes for his previous best on tour.  Taylor, matched front and back nine scores with the help of a birdie on the par 5 - 10th to pick up his first Championship by a two stroke margin. Visiting, Hill Country Tour members,  Chris Wadle of Coupland, TX, with consecutive birdies on the par 4 - 12th and par 4 -14th took home the second place finish and San Antonio, TX first year member Patrick Weathersby, with a birdie on the par 5 - 14th secured the third place spot.

Senior Palmer Flight:   Starting on the tenth hole, Traylor Sells of nearby, Cypress, TX came out of the gate with a couple of birdies in his first four holes, cooled off in the middle of his first nine, then followed up with a birdie on the par 4 - 1st to set up six straight par's en route to his eighth win on tour, including two Major Championships.  Two strokes back, Groves, TX player Dennis Walsh finished in the runner up spot with first time player, Dave Paukner Jr playing out of  Angleton, TX rounding out the top three.

Hogan Flight:  On tour since 2011, Sugar Land, TX member Steve Nagy secured a spot for the 2014 National Championship with his best finish, a runner up, at the July Major Championship at the  Texas Masters at Barton Creek. With a more than respectable showing at the Nationals, Nagy kept his momentum on Sunday, even par on the front nine with three birdies, added one on the back for a +3 - 75, and a three stroke advantage.  Just promoted from the Sarazen Flight, Hill Country Tour member,  Ronnie Davis of Converse, TX  played his first six holes in even par with the help of a birdie on the par 4 - 3rd to secure the runner up finish.  Magnolia, TX and long time Houston Tour Director, now exclusively on the players side,  Jeff Zemencsik, carded the third place finish one stroke back of Davis, with two birdies.

Senior Hogan Flight:  After tee times were posted, Robert Hayward was in a quandary.  With a 7:10PM flight scheduled that evening, it was clearly a question of whether the Houston, TX resident would be able to make that flight.  Without any options, Hayward made the tee time, made his flight and became a first time winner and did it in style.  Hayward birdied the first three of his six holes to finish the day with a +3 - 75 and a three stroke advantage.  Bruce Beakley of Houston, TX went out in even par, struggled a bit on three of his last four holes, but secured the runner up spot three strokes ahead of a trio tied in the third place finish.  Hill Country member, John Hilgers of Wimberly, TX, Orange, TX resident, Keith Grissom and Randy Tate of Sugarland, TX shared the show place finish.

Sarazen Flight:  You might accuse Patrick Richardson of The Woodlands, TX of many things but NOT supporting the Golf Channel AM Tour would not be one of them.  Playing in his 152nd round on tour since 2009,  Richardson has progressed through the ranks and picked up his twelfth win in three flights on tour.  One stroke back, Hockley, TX resident, Ross Gonzales, a member since 2010 and previous winner recorded the runner up finish.  Spring, TX member,  Kevin Montague, with his best finish on the Dallas Tour at the 2013 Tarrant County Open @ Sky Creek Ranch rounded out the top three.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  "That was a fun round of golf", stated Dallas Tour member Steve Killion of Sanger, TX and it would be hard not being fun the way Killion traversed the course.  Starting on the tenth hole, Killion went out two under par with birdies on the par 5 - 14th and par 4 - 15th, scooted through the brief rain with a double and two bogies early on the back nine, then finished with a birdie on the par 5 - 8th to shoot a +1 - 73, his best round on tour. A pair of players finished five strokes back to share second place spot.   Cypress, TX player Will Whitley, with two wins on tour, added his seventh runner up finish with the help of two birdies on the day, and shared the honors with Arkansas native, Doug Bass of Houston, TX using birdies on the par 4 - 1st and par 5 - 14th to solidify the spot.

Jones Flight:  Starting on the back nine, Houston, TX resident, Rick Halprin, a tour member since 2009, was on fire. With birdies on the par 3 - 11th and par 5 - 14th, Halprin was was two under par after six.  He struggled on 16 and 17, but finished the nine in +3.  Running his back nine in +6, Rick held on for his seventh win on tour.   Two stokes back, the pair of  Anthony Parrish of Cypress, TX and Barker, TX player Woody Casasent, with two birdies on the day, split the second place points.

Snead Flight:  Gene Macha of Hungerford, TX, not fairing well in his first two events on tour at The Woodlands, Macha came out to prove a point and it happened. Gene, with a birdie on his fifth hole, the par 5 - 14th went on to shoot 26 strokes better than his best for his first win on tour, eleven strokes clear of second place. Carl Eaton of Porter, TX, a two time winner and five time runner up split the second place honors with another two time winner and two time runner up, Wharton, TX member Bryce Kocian.





SKINS:

Giant Skins: ($180/each)  1 -- Dave Paukner Jr, Angleton Texas; Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX; Kendall Hisey, Humble, TX.

Championship / Palmer/ Senior Palmer: ($48/each)  1 -- Hayden Adair, College Station, TX; Kevin Turner, Beaumont, TX; Dave Paukner Jr, Angleton Texas; Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX; Patrick Weathersby, San Antonio, TX.

Hogan: ($70/each)  2 -- Steve Nagy, Sugar Land, TX. 1 -- Jeff Zemencsik, Magnolia, TX.

Senior Hogan: ($80/each)  1 -- Bruce Beakley, Houston, TX; Robert Hayward, Houston, TX; Colin Knight, Richmond, TX.

Sarazen: ($11/each) 3 -- Kendall Hisey, Humble, TX. 2 -- Ross Gonzales, Hockley, TX. 1 -- Gary Gum, Spring, TX; Kyle Young, Bellaire, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  ($64/each)  1 -- Will Whitley, Cypress, TX; Larry Viktorin, Wharton, TX; Doug Bass, Houston, TX; Michael Nowotny, Sealy,  TX; John Scott, Houston, TX.

Jones:  ($30/each)   3 -- Rick Halprin, Houston, TX; Woody Casasent, Barker, TX. 1 -- Scott Sammons, Katy, TX.


Snead: ($16/each)  2 -- Gene Macha, Hungerford, TX; Carl Eaton, Porter, TX; Bryce Kocian, Wharton, TX.


CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

$160/each)  #4 - Tom Dubrock - 5'2"; - #7 - Damon Carcia - 5'2";  #11 - Rick Halprin - 1'9"; #17 - Lee Isham - 3'10.5"



NEXT UP:

The Houston Tour gets back to the links on Saturday, November 8th for the Katy Classic @ The Golf Club of Cinco Ranch, registration closes on Friday, October 31st.
Hill Country Tour action resumes at the Fall Challenge / Round Rock at the Teravista Golf Club on Sunday, October 19th.

The Fall Classic at Dancing Rabbit in Mississippi is the first Major of the season in the South Central Region on October 25th and 26th.

November 1st marks the season start on the Dallas Tour at The Golf Club at Frisco Lakes for the Frisco Lakes Challenge, entry deadline is October 24th..


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com