"Camaraderie and Sportsmanship" Win at Swan Point

                                      "In the Spirit of the Game"

On Sunday, Aug. 23^rd, Members from the DC, Baltimore and Richmond Golf Channel Am Tours met in Issue, Maryland for “One More Go at It” in the Tournament of Champions.

The site was the Swan Point Yacht & Country Club, a 6,859 yard layout designed by Bob Cupp, the world renowned designer and consultant to the Augusta National Golf Club.

The tournament was added and organized by Directors, James Newton and Gary Francis, as a way for the 3 tours to get together for some friendly camaraderie and competition and to recognize "Player of the Year" winners from the 3 tours.

Many players were already familiar with some of the members from the other Tours but this gave everyone a chance
to meet members that they had never played with or against. It was also one last opportunity for players to gain valuable Order of Merit points in a last ditch attempt to qualify for the National Championship  tournaments.

              

As announcements were made prior to the rare 12 p.m. shotgun start players were anxious to take to the course for one more chance at some head to head competition.

A picture perfect day was on tap for the players as they navigated the links along the marshes of the Potomac River. The scenic course awaited the players in perfect condition as they challenged the many picturesque holes, 12 of which water came into play on.

Demanding precision accuracy from tee to green the course did not lend itself to errant shots. When scores were being posted it was evident that the players were not intimidated by Swan Point Country Club. 

The experience of a long season for each of the players on the three Tours had them ready for this last challenge of the season and the scores proved it. 

Any disappointment at not playing well was quickly forgotten as players enjoyed a nice buffet meal and shared stories about their rounds while scoring and the awards presentation were being formulated.

 It was very encouraging to see the respect shown to the players that were being recognized as Player of the Year by their fellow competitors as the vast majority stayed for the entire awards ceremony and Player of the Year presentation it was a remarkable show of sportsmanship. It further reaffirmed to the Directors that they are truly blessed to have the greatest players on the entire Golf Channel Am Tour that represent DC, Baltimore and the Richmond Tours. 

Once again on behalf of the two Directors a sincere thank you goes to all of the players of the three tours for your dedication commitment and support to not only your local tour but the Golf Channel Am Tour as a whole.

Hats off to the Staff at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club for their help and commitment in making the Tournament of Champions a very enjoyable and successful Tournament

RESULTS

(click on Players name to view full scorecard)

Championship Flight
Aided by four birdies and a 2 under par score of 34 on his outgoing nine Baltimore Tour member Joe Lefavor claimed top honors in the championship flight with an even par round of 72.  2^nd was Richmond Tour member TipWight followed by 12 year old Edward Coffren of the Balt. Tour in 3^rd.

Hogan Flight
With a remarkable score of 38 on the back 9 including book end birdies, AlbertFierro was able to pull even with fellow DC member Gary Rebholz and force a playoff in the Hogan flight. Fierro was able to sustain the momentum needing only one extra hole to claim the victory. Finishing in third was Richmond Tour member Tom Yeager.

Sarazen Flight

Only one day removed from a chance at victory in the Richmond Tour finale Sly Prioleau was not going to let another chance slip from his grasp. Prioleau remained steady throughout the entire round to pull out a two shot margin of victory over fellow Baltimore Tour members Dan Flayler and Chris Davis.

Jones Flight

Whether competing on his home course of Virginia Beach National or hundreds of miles from home Richmond Tour member JB Martin is the man to beat in the Jones flight as of late. Martin claimed his second victory in as many weeks with a four shot margin of victory over Baltimore Tour member Daniel Ripple. Martins front 9 score of 40 coupled by 6 pars on the back 9 gave him the breathing room he needed to secure the trophy. Richmond Tour player Keenan Davis finished third.

Senior Jones Flight

Baltimore Tour player Barry Neun's back 9 score of 40 was the deciding factor in his three-shot margin of victory over DC member Thomas Porter, in the Sr. Jones flight. Grady Lovett also of the DC tour finished third.

Snead Flight

Twenty holes were needed before the outcome of the Snead flight could be decided. Oludare Ogunmadewa and John Henry, both of the DC Tour had to put the barbeque chicken aside while they headed back to the course and settle the outcome. It was Ogunmadewa who was the hungrier of the two as he dispatched of Henry on the 2nd hole of the play-off. DC Tour member Eric Davis finished 3rd.

Good Luck to all of the Members 

of the DC, Baltimore & Richmond 

Golf Channel Am Tours that are

headed to Palm Springs to

compete in the National and

Senior National Championships 

Unexpected Surprise in Hanover

                                              "A Dream Come True"



On Saturday, August 22nd, the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour had the pleasure of holding the Hanover Open on one of the finest courses to be found anywhere in Va. The Arnold Palmer designed Federal Club in Glen Allen, played host to competitors representing 4 Tours in 5 flights.





Upon first arrival at the club, one would begin to wonder why theFederal Club is so highly talked about. With limited parking, small club house, and unique transportation shuttle, the expectations of the course wouldn't be extremely high. 





Once the players reached the practice facility and got their first glimpse of the mammoth new club house under construction ( due to be occupied in December) opinions quickly changed. When play began and the competitors stepped to the first tee, they then realized that the seasons final tournament would be played
on the finest course they had seen all year, if not ever.

The lush immaculate manicured tees and fairways lend to the players thoughts of already wanting to play a good round. Any shot finding the fairway sets up a perfect lie for the next shot. Once on the putting surface the player will soon come to know what the PGA Tour players face each week with speeds that the amateur rarely experiences.

One must not be taken in with the beauty and condition of the Federal Club however as it offers quite the challenge for players of any skill level, from any distance. Carefully placed bunkers, uphill tee shots, carry shots, and fair but penalizing rough will rapidly elevate the score of those that want to challenge the course or hit inaccurate shots. Nothing but rave reviews were heard after the tournament along with the repeated question, "Are we coming back here again next year"?

The dream of the late Tommy Pollard to have a golf course designed by Arnold Palmer has come to fruition, and one he would be very

pleased with.

A "Special Thank You" goes out to the Staff at the Federal Club for their help in making The Hanover Open a very enjoyable day

RESULTS
(click on players name to view full scorecard)

PALMER FLIGHT
San Diego transplant and Tour Rookie, Larry Mosca is definitely a fan of the Federal Club as he posted a spectacular round of 2 over par 74 including an even par inward 9 to gain his first Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour victory. Louis Autry finished 2nd with Craig Crowley 3rd.

  HOGAN FLIGHT
Chris Turner  cleared the eligibility hurdle for the National Championship Tournament by virtue of his 3rd win of the season on Saturday at the Federal Club. Building a lead on the starting 9 holes Turner kept a wary eye on his nearest rival and second place finisher Ferdinand Hudencial as the two came down the stretch. Finishing 3rd was Tom Yeager.

SARAZEN FLIGHT
Continuing to be a formidable opponent in the Sarazen flight, Michael Eaton picked up his 3rd win of the season in the season finale with a 2 shot margin of victory over the steadily improving Nathan Glass. The trio of, Tour newcomer Victor Avillanoza, Chris Heipel and Ronald Velasco all finished tied for 3rd

JONES FLIGHT
In only his 2nd appearance of the season, long time Tour member Doug Zahniser shot one of his best rounds to claim "Top Honors" in the Hanover Open. 1 shot back at the turn, Zahniser got off to a shaky start on the back 9, but righted it to rattle off 5 consecutive pars at the end to finish 2 shots better then runner-up Kenneth Cherry.  DC Tour member Grady Lovett finished 3rd.

SNEAD FLIGHT
After a brief absence from the Richmond Tour, Jeff White made his return memorable by reaffirming to the Snead flight that when he is in the field he is the admirable force to deal with. White claimed the first place trophy with a 4 stroke margin over 2nd place finisher Jamie Iannelli. Maury Gatewood came home in 3rd.