"It's a bird, it's a plane,...........no, it's the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour at Mattaponi Springs for the Caroline Classic"
On Saturday, May 9th,
the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour hosted the Caroline Classic at Mattaponi (pronounced
matta-pone-aye) Springs Golf Club where players representing 3 different Tours vied
Always one of the
absolute best courses on the Richmond schedule, Mattaponi Springs zoysia grass
fairways were in peak condition and a welcome treat offering perfect lies for
each and every shot. The unblemished greens rolled true and smooth and offered
up many birdies throughout the day, making for a lot of happy competitors who
cashed in on the opportunities.
The 6937 yard Par 72,
Bob Lohmann layout, nestled away in Caroline County didn’t intimidate the
golfers that took advantage of the generous fairways over the wildly undulated
natural terrain. Scoring was impressive by the top finishers in each flight as
they waited and shared stories of their respective rounds while the results
were posted. The fierce competition on the course turned into the regular
friendly camaraderie as the Champions were congratulated.
A “Special Thank You”
goes out to ALL of the competitors for their participation in the Caroline
Classic and for an outstanding tournament and Pace of Play. The Richmond Golf
Channel Am Tour would like to also Thank the staff at Mattaponi Springs for
their Hospitality and diligence during our visit there.
RESULTS
Click on the Players name for the full scorecard
PALMER FLIGHT
DC Tour Member Jim Hicks “Love/Hate” relationship with Mattaponi Springs was nothing less than “Pure Affection” as he delivered his card to the scoring table on Saturday. The seasoned veteran of the Golf Channel Am Tour navigated the course with deadly accuracy from tee to green as he recorded 4 birdies for a +1 round of 73 to outdistance his closest rival, Sam Bailey (Richmond Tour) by 3 strokes. Bill Stamm (DC Tour) and Mike Sheehan (Richmond Tour) finished tied for 3rd
DC Tour Member Jim Hicks “Love/Hate” relationship with Mattaponi Springs was nothing less than “Pure Affection” as he delivered his card to the scoring table on Saturday. The seasoned veteran of the Golf Channel Am Tour navigated the course with deadly accuracy from tee to green as he recorded 4 birdies for a +1 round of 73 to outdistance his closest rival, Sam Bailey (Richmond Tour) by 3 strokes. Bill Stamm (DC Tour) and Mike Sheehan (Richmond Tour) finished tied for 3rd
HOGAN FLIGHT
Richmond Tour player Chris Turner sat distraught as he waited for scores to be posted in the Hogan flight. Thinking that a big number on one hole had maybe once again cost him the chance to hoist the trophy. Turner’s gloom soon turned to glee when his strong front 9 proved to be the deciding factor that no one else in the flight could overcome to deny him the win. Finishing in a tie for second were Gary Knighting (DC Tour) and Jim Bryant (Richmond Tour).
Richmond Tour player Chris Turner sat distraught as he waited for scores to be posted in the Hogan flight. Thinking that a big number on one hole had maybe once again cost him the chance to hoist the trophy. Turner’s gloom soon turned to glee when his strong front 9 proved to be the deciding factor that no one else in the flight could overcome to deny him the win. Finishing in a tie for second were Gary Knighting (DC Tour) and Jim Bryant (Richmond Tour).
SARAZEN FLIGHT
Some great competition developed in the Sarazen flight, although not head
to head, as Richmond Tour players Nathan Glass, Chris Heipel and Ric Beltz all
had strong beginning nines. Beltz and Heipel tied at the turn began their quest
of the inward nine holes only 2 shots ahead of Glass. Having an advantage of
knowing the course as one of its members, Beltz quickly gained a stroke each on
his competition at the 10th. But it would be the long, narrow and
demanding 13th hole that would be the undoing of both Heipel and
Glass and give Ric Beltz the edge he needed to hang on and ward off a furious
finishing charge by both players. Chris heipel finished 1 back in 2nd
and Glass came home in 3rd.
JONES FLIGHT
Vowing to make his way to the Senior National Championship
tournament in Palm Springs, CA., Richmond Tour member Michael Radan took a
giant step on Saturday to accomplish that goal against a full field in the
Jones flight. Staging a stunning come from behind victory, aided by 2 birdies
on a remarkable back 9, Radan finished 1 shot better than runner-up Peter Socha
(Richmond Tour). Michael Eaton (Richmond Tour) finished 3rd.
SNEAD FLIGHT
Richmond Tour member, Keenan Davis now has plans for 1 week in September as he punched his ticket for PGA West and the National Championship by way of his 3rd win of the 2015 Golf Channel Am Tour season. By posting a solid outward nine holes, Davis was able to fend off fellow Richmond Tour player BillGoodman by 6 shots. Jamie Iannelli and Maury Gatewood both of the Richmond Tour finished tied for 3rd.
Richmond Tour member, Keenan Davis now has plans for 1 week in September as he punched his ticket for PGA West and the National Championship by way of his 3rd win of the 2015 Golf Channel Am Tour season. By posting a solid outward nine holes, Davis was able to fend off fellow Richmond Tour player BillGoodman by 6 shots. Jamie Iannelli and Maury Gatewood both of the Richmond Tour finished tied for 3rd.
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
