The Continental Challenge

            "These guys are good....and so are the gals"

On Saturday, June 6^th, after a 1 month layoff, the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour was back in action at Pendleton Golf Club. Players representing 3 different Am Tours competed for “Top Honors” in 6 individual flights. There was no rust to be found in the competition

as during the hiatus’ many players kept sharp competing in Majors and neighboring Tour events, and the evidence could be seen as the scores began to be posted.  

The 7093 yard Thomas Walker (former lead designer at the Gary Player Design Company) layout in the Ladysmith area of Caroline county was in exceptional condition and ready to be challenged. Given the 4 previous days of rain the course held its own and surprisingly carts were able to access the fairways without harm. The plush fairways and rapid, true greens lent the advantage to the players that proved to control the most accuracy. Mostly sunny skies, a light breeze and a high of 82 set the conditions for a perfect day on the golf course for a tournament round.

The Staff of the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour would like to extend a sincere Thank you to all that participated and for the outstanding pace of play that helped contribute to a very successful tournament.

Another huge Thank you goes out to the Staff at Pendleton Golf Club for their help, hospitality and for providing a great golf course for the competition.

RESULTS
Click on Players name to view Full Scorecard


CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Bolstered by 4 Birdies during the round, Jeremy Horn led wire to wire in the Championship flight and posted an excellent round of 3 over par 75. Following Horn in the standings were Sam Bailey 2^nd and Jose Talamantes 3^rd.

HOGAN FLIGHT

With the disappointing memory of how last year’s Continental Challenge eluded his grasp, Chris Turner loaded up and took dead aim on his inward 9 holes to shoot a 2 over par 38 and outdistance his closest rival, Tom Yeager by 5 shots. Richmond Tour newcomer Mike Miller finished in 3rd highlighted by his "Eagle" on the 13th hole

SARAZEN FLIGHT

The Sarazen flight offered up a good match as Jerry Jones and Ric Beltz went head to head throughout the entire round. Jones would hold a 1 shot advantage at the turn. Beltz would immediately bring the match back even on the 10^th hole, but a birdie at 13 would give the lead back to Jones. At 16 Beltz would once again bring the match back to even and then at 17 gain a 1 stroke lead. Unfortunately for Ric Beltz disaster would strike on the finishing hole as an untimely double bogey would be posted on his card while Jones remained steady with a par resulting in a 2 shot swing giving Jones the trophy. DC Tour member Wayne Crupi came home in 3^rd.

JONES FLIGHT

Shooting his best round on Tour Michael Eaton had a “Walk in the Park” at Pendleton when he shot identical 40’s on each side and posted an 8 shot margin of victory in the Jones flight over JB Martin. Each time Martin would make a move on him, Eaton would answer with a birdie on the next hole, totaling 3 during his stellar round. Pendleton’s own Simon Petty finished in 3^rd.

SENIOR JONES FLIGHT

On the strength of a terrific outward nine holes with a score of 40, Mary Allen, in only her 2^nd start on the Golf Channel Am Tour, was able to hold on and fend off all challengers to win the Senior Jones flight. Allen’s ability to manage the Par 3’s in level par, which no other player in the flight managed to achieve, was the difference in the 1 shot margin of victory she was able to post over Vincent Sarro. Rodney Newton finished in 3^rd two shots back.

SNEAD FLIGHT

In another close finish, Bill Goodman held a 2 shot lead over KeenanDavis and Jamie Iannelli at the turn. All 3 competitors, playing in separate pairings would basically match cards on the inward 9 holes with only Davis making any moves on the lead. But in the end it would be Goodman holding the trophy with a 1 shot advantage over Davis and 2 over Iannelli.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Ramon Licha
Michael Miller
Perry Balser
James Porter

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Click on Tournament name to register

June 27                The Rappahannock Open @ King Carter GC
July 5                   The Traditional @Royal New Kent
July 18                 The ColonialInvitational @ Colonial Heritage GC


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