A Srixon Grand Slam at the Colonial Invitational

All of the Champions in the Colonial Invitational

Won playing Srixon Golf Balls

On Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Colonial Heritage Golf Clun in Williamsburg, Va. players from 3 Tours congregated to see who would be the “Best of the Rest” in 4 individual flights.

On a day that started out comfortable with a light cooling breeze. Players struggled at the end over Colonial Heritage’s demanding final 3 finishing holes in brutal humid and hot conditions.

“Perfect” would fall short in describing the conditions of the 6889 yard Authur Hills masterpiece located on the rolling terrain of Williamsburg’s highest point.

One can be quickly deceived when looking at the short yardages listed on the scorecard, but the demanding slope and rating of Colonial Heritage requires deadly accuracy and smart club selection to navigate the course with a respectable score.

RESULTS

(click on players name to view full scorecard)

HOGAN FLIGHT

In a “Nip and Tuck” battle throughout the entire Back 9, Jim Davidson and Tom Yeager matched shot for shot to the finish. One player would hold the lead on 3 separate occasions only to have the other pull back even. After the final putt fell on the 18^th hole both had recorded identical scores of 84.
On the 1^st playoff hole Yeager would make par to pick up his first win of the season. Only one shot back of making the playoff was Jerry Taaffe.

SARAZEN FLIGHT

There would be no concern for worry of the distance combined with the high slope and rating on the choice of tees selected for the Sarazen flight for Jerry Jones as he successfully dissected the layout routed through Williamsburg’s newest retirement community with a posting of 89. Unbeknown to Jones however was the charge of the Sarazen flights newest participant, Michael Eaton. Eaton had worked his way back from a 2 shot deficit at the turn to pull even going to the finishing hole. Unfortunately one errant shot for Eaton on 18 would relegate him to a 2^nd place finish.
Finishing 3^rd was Denver Tour player Derrick Goodwin.

JONES FLIGHT

With the Points Races heating up down the stretch towards seasons end the top players in the Jones and Senior Jones flights were on hand to battle it out for the coveted points. In a quest to overcome a huge deficit in the “Player of the Year” standings, Michael Radan has been on a tear lately with 4 wins in his last 7 tournaments. Having to come from 2 strokes back at the turn  Radan was able to add another trophy to this year’s collection. Finishing 2 shots back in 2^nd were Peter Socha and Stephen Despres.

SNEAD FLIGHT

Playing in all likelihood his last competitive tournament in the Snead flight, Keenan Davis lit the course up with the low round of the tournament on Saturday with a round of 83. Trailing by 1 shot after 9 holes, Davis took dead aim on the inward 9 with a spectacular score of 39 for the victory. Finishing 2^nd was BillGoodman with DC Tour member John Henry coming home in 3^rd.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Sat. July 25   The Wide Land Masters @ Kiskiack

{registration closes Mon July 20)

Sat. Aug 1   The Battle for Fredericksburg @ Lee's Hill

Sat. & Sun. Aug 8&9   Richmond Tour Championship @ Viniterra

Sat. Aug. 15   The Va. Beach Open @ Va. Beach National

Sat. Aug. 22    The Hanover Open @ The Federal Club

Just Added:

Sun. Aug. 23  The Tournament of Champions @ Swan Point

Tournament of Champions @ Swan Point Yacht and Country Club, Issue, MD. Open to all Am Tour Members this event will be a shotgun start with a buffet at the end. Baltimore, DC, and Richmond Am Tour “Players of the Year” will be awarded their bags and trophies during the buffet. Also, this tournament counts for “Order of Merit Points” toward the 2015 Nationals for all players. 

Richmond Players Tame RNK

             Old Friends reunited in the Winners Circle

                                                               4 for 4

On July 5^th, 2015 Golf Channel Am Tour Players representing 5 different Tour met in Providence Forge VA To take on the  “Toughest of them all” when they challenged the Royal New Kent layout in the Traditional. As if the course isn’t already difficult enough, an overnight storm further softened the conditions to make the 7100 yard Mike Strantz design play even longer.

With threatening skies overhead all day, 8 ½ miles of cart path, blind shots,  hilly terrain and the vast undulating greens  to deal with, the mental state of the game came into full effect as players tested their skills in 6 individual flights.   

The “Love/Hate” relationship many players have with Royal New Kent seems to be the drawing attraction that makes it one of the most popular tournaments on the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour schedule. The lure of “I know I can do better on that course”, brings them back each year to try it one more time. The mental challenge of playing with-in one’s ability and taking what the course offers is tough to do throughout the course of the day. Picking and choosing

the right shot and landing area to set up the next shot takes the utmost concentration on the part of even the most skilled golfer. Royal New Kent lays in wait for those that want to challenge it, and it doesn’t suffer a bad shot with any mercy.

(Click on players name for full scorecard)

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Ryan Clark, making his long anticipated return to the competition of the Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour, showed NO fear of Royal New Kent. Already winning 2 of his first 3 tournaments this season, including the Battle for the Homestead 2-day Major, Clark took dead aim on Sunday and challenged the course. Buoyed by an Eagle on the tricky, “Risk/Reward” 2^nd hole, with a 240 yard all carry 2^nd shot to the green, Ryan went on to post an even par round of 72 to take top honors. Finishing 2^nd was National Championship qualifier, Tip Wight, followed by Jeremy Horn in 3^rd.

PALMER FLIGHT
Another player making his return to the Richmond Tour and already owning a Major title this season is Shawn Watkins. Watkins wasted little time in obtaining his first Local Tour win as he posted identical sides of 40 to pull out a 3 shot margin of victory over Jay Corazza. Mike Sheehan finished 3^rd

HOGAN FLIGHT
Jerry Taaffe picked up his first ever trophy on the Golf Channel Am Tour when he navigated the Providence Forge layout with a score of 86 in the Hogan flight. Tom Yeager and Ferdinand Hudencial finished tied in 2^nd

SARAZEN FLIGHT

Ric Beltz officially punched his ticket to the Senior National Championship Tournament to be held at PGA West in Palm Springs when he picked up his 3^rd win of the season over a strong Sarazen field. Beltz had to come from behind for the victory as second place finisher Bob Fogerty (Carolinas Tour) went out with a very impressive 3 over par 39. The two, playing in the same pairing remained tight coming through the finishing holes until Beltz took the lead on 17 with a birdie. Sly Prioleau (Baltimore Tour) finished 3^rd.

JONES FLIGHT
"Finally" was the statement after 7 second place finishes this season
JB Martin closed the deal at Royal New Kent when he posted 5 pars on the inward 9 holes to pull out a 1 shot margin of victory over Ken Cherry. Grady Lovett (DC Tour) and Del Jackson (Carolinas Tour) finished tied for 3^rd

SNEAD FLIGHT
Another player to use a strong finishing back 9 to secure a win was KeenanDavis. Davis’s 5 pars on the inward 9 gave him the come from behind victory over 2^nd place finisher Maury Gatewood. George French finished 3^rd.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

Larry Mosca


UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

July 18  The Colonial Invitational @ Colonial Heritage
               (Registration closes Monday July 13)

July 25  The Wide Land Masters @ Kiskiack

Aug 1  The Battle for Fredericksburg @ Lee's Hill

Richmond Players light it up at the Homestead

The Battle for the Homestead IV was held this past weekend and several Richmond Golf Channel Am Tour Players fared very well representing themselves and the Richmond Tour with some outstanding play.

(Click on players name to view full scorecards).

In the Championship flight Ryan Clark had a stunning come from behind win by firing a 1 under par (69) round on Sunday at the Cascades course. Ryan came from 5 shots behind for the victory.

In the Palmer flight Shawn Watkins, bolstered by stellar 2 under par (70) round on Saturday at the Old Course continued his fine play at the Cascades Sunday to hoist the trophy. An Eagle on the par 5 16th hole helped as well.

In the Sarazen flight, Mel Imad punched his ticket to the National Championship Tournament with the help of a low second round (82) at the Old Course on Sunday to move himself into a 2nd place finish.

In the Senior Jones flight Peter Socha (83) and Ken Cherry (82) both took advantage of the scoring opportunities on Sunday at the Old Course to qualify for the Golf Channel Am Tour Senior National Championship in Palm Springs. Socha finished 2nd while Cherry came from back in the field to finish 3rd.

Although already qualified for the Senior National Championship, Jay Corazza's low round of the day (75) in the Senior Palmer flight gave him a 3rd place finish in the at the Homestead.

Playing in his very first Golf Channel Am Tour 2 day Major was good experience for Tim Ritter and "ONE" he'll never forget. Standing on the scenic 180 yard par 3 finishing hole at the Cascades, Ritter would make 1 final stroke to finish his tournament. With the Hole in One, Tim not only picked up some nice skin money but also made a nice haul in the Feherty's Troops First 50/50 program, where a $500 donation was also made to the charity in his name.

Nice going Richmond Tour Players!!!

Now it's on to Irvington on June 27, at King Carter for the Rappahannock Open on the local Richmond schedule.

Hope to see you there/ 

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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