The Williamsburg Open

A nice breeze made conditions bearable for the Williamsburg Open on Saturday July 20. With a heat index of 103 (down from 111 the previous 3 days), the Marsh Hawk course at Fords Colony saw players from the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour contesting for trophies, gift cards, and the all important “Bragging Rights”, in the 11^th tournament of the 2013 season.

A huge Thank you goes out to Fords Colony for being able to host the tournament on such short notice. Originally scheduled for Stonehouse the event had to be relocated and a very suitable replacement was found at the Marsh Hawk course.

Players found out quickly that the Marsh Hawk course was one that they needed to have their “A” game ready for, as the tight tree lined fairways demanded precision accuracy off of the tee, and the many water hazards had to be carefully negotiated.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Jonathan Howard definitely brought his “A” game as the Tour Rookie made his way around the course with an outstanding score of +1 (73). Following Howard in the standings were Troy Yeager 2^nd and Jim Davidson 3^rd. Jonathan Howards record on Tour is unblemished, with 2 starts and 2 wins to his credit.

HOGAN FLIGHT
Tom Yeager remained dominate in the Hogan flight as he shot identical nine hole scores of 40 to post a 3 shot margin of victory over runner-up Gene Gorman. Ron Oxendine and Doc Schleier were 1 more shot back tied in 3^rd.

SARAZEN FLIGHT
Speaking of dominate performances, Ronald Velasco once again reigned supreme with his 3rd win of the season in the Sarazen flight (after a move up from Jones). Although this time it was not as easily done as it seemed. A crippling penalty on runner-up Mel Imad at the start of his round was the difference in the 1 shot margin of victory for Velasco. Jerry Jones finished 3^rd only 1 shot back of Imad.

JONES FLIGHT
Three Williamsburg natives topped the leader board in the Jones flight for the Williamsburg Open, but it was Luke Carpenter who left little doubt regarding the outcome. Carpenter build a slight advantage over runner-up Peter Socha on the outward 9 holes and continued to widen the margin on the inward nine to post an excellent score of 84. Vincent Sarro finished 3^rd.

SNEAD FLIGHT
Maury Gatewood seems to have acquired a taste for the sweetness of Victory. A Tour member since the 2008 season, Gatewood had never won on Tour until this season, now he is becoming a constant fixture in the “Winners Circle”, posting his 4^th victory of the year on Saturday.  Finishing behind Maury were Jamie Iannelli 2^nd, and George French 3rd

 

Strong Finishes Highlight the Grapevine Classic

Remember those first few tournaments of the season when we all wondered if warm weather would ever get here? There’s little doubt that summer is alive and well in Virginia now. Hot and humid was the order of the day at Viniterra Golf Course on July 7^th for the Grapevine Classic. One would be hard pressed to find a course in any better condition for the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour to host its 10^th tournament of the 2013 schedule than what Viniterra was in. Players from 4 different Am Tours braved the holiday weekend traffic to contest for the bragging rights in their respective flight, and what a shoot-out it was in several of the flights.

PALMER FLIGHT
Only 1 shot separated Sam Bailey and Tip White from Chris Hinchcliff and Jim Bryant at the turn. A “Birdie” on #10 was the start Hinchcliff needed on his inward 9 holes to provide the spark that led to an outstanding 1 under par finishing nine and the right to lay claim to the winner’s purse.  Bailey finished 2^nd followed by Bryant in 3^rd. The win was the 3^rd of the season for Hinchcliff giving him the qualification he needed to compete in the Golf Channel Am Tour National Championship in Palm Springs.

HOGAN FLIGHT
Four shots was the difference for 5 contestants in the Hogan flight after their first 9 holes. Ferdinand Hudencial and defending champion Monroe Preston stood even at 39. Gene Gorman was 1 back, Jeff Oakes 2 behind followed by Craig Crowley and Ed Shine 3 and 4 back respectively. Viniterra’s tough closing holes from 13 in would soon take its toll on all but Hudencial as he posted a spectacular round of 77. Jeff Oakes finished 2^nd followed by Craig Crowley and Monroe Preston tied for 3^rd

SARAZEN FLIGHT
Ronald Velasco has seemed to have found his game after requesting to move up to the Sarazen Flight. An occasional winner in the Jones Flight, Velasco has now had 4 starts in the Sarazen Flight posting 2 runner-up finishes and now back to back wins with his round of 83 today. As the trophy was being presented the chant could be heard “Hogan Flight, Hogan Flight”. Following 2 shots behind Velasco was a 3 way tie for 2^nd by DC Tour player Wayne Crupi, Mel Imad and Jerry Jones.

JONES FLIGHT
It’s been a while since he was there, but Jeff Wilkinson had no problem finding his way to the “Winners Circle” to receive his trophy after touring the Viniterra lay-out with a great round of 87. Following 2 shots behind in 2^nd place was Louisville Tour member Daniel Shoop. Michael Radan finished 3^rd.

SNEAD FLIGHT
Maury Gatewood’s goal for the 2013 Golf Channel Am Tour season was to qualify for the Senior National Championship. Gatewood accomplished that goal today, but not before having to go 2 additional holes to secure that much needed win in a play-off against George French. Jamie Iannelli finished 3^rd. That makes 3 Richmond Senior Snead players this season that have qualified with 3 Tour wins.

The Traditional

On the most humid of days the Richmond Golf channel Am Tour tackled the links on the most difficult of courses at Royal New Kent. The challenge of Royal New Kent is always one that players “love to hate”, demanding precision accuracy off of the tee, forced carries, 2 tiered generous greens, and the knowledge and ability  to manage each shot, lends as much to being mentally as well as physically draining on the competitor.

But the Champions on this day were up for the challenge.

PALMER FLIGHT
No surprises, no play-offs, no doubt were the end result for Jim Davidson at Royal New Kent as he turned in his best performance of the year on the toughest course. Davidson’s round of 77, including an even par inward nine was good enough for a 4 shot margin of victory over 2^nd place Tyler Vrolyk. The win gave Davidson back to back 1^st place finishes.

HOGAN FLIGHT
Tom Yeager just keeps churning out the wins for the 2013 Golf Channel Am Tour season. Yeager’s 1^st place finish over runner-up Ed Shine, gave him his 5^th win on Tour this season.

SARAZEN FLIGHT
Ronald Velasco proved at the Traditional that he definitely belongs in the Sarazen flight as he posted a 2 shot margin of victory over Mel Imad and Jeff Tyler. After having nothing left to prove in the Jones flight, Velasco asked to move to Sarazen, where in 3 tournaments has finished 2^nd twice combined with his win on Saturday. Look out Hogan flight this guy is looking at you next.

JONES FLIGHT
FINALLY!!! After several near misses, Tour “Rookie”, Chris Heipel broke through for his first win on the Golf Channel Am Tour with an outstanding and convincing round of 83, including a finishing nine hole score of 38. Not to be over looked were the Birdies on the demanding par 3, 15^th and the treacherous par 4 finishing hole. Ken Cherry righted a tough outward 9 to shoot an inward score of 41 to finish 2^nd.

SNEAD FLIGHT
Jamie Iannelli cruised to his 4^th victory of the season with a score of 97 over the links of Royal New Kent. Finishing 2^nd was George French