2007 Atlanta Golf Channel Amateur Golf Tour Season Opener
St. Ives Country Club
by Scott Ford
The 2007 season began this past Monday with the opening event being contested at St. Ives Country Club, a new addition to the schedule. Prior to the event, the Atlanta tour was treated to a great kick-off party by our newest sponsor, Barnacles . The event was an opportunity for new and returning members to spend a few hours talking about rounds that could have and should have happened. Looks like Barnacles will be a great place to meet after some of the tournaments this year and either drown your sorrows or celebrate victories. Either way, the season looks to be promising with them on board. In addition to the great food and drink, the kick-off party allowed some of the returning players who participated in the 2006 National Championship in Palm Springs to share their stories from the tournament which saw Atlanta’s own Brock Kaufman hoist the trophy as he won flight 2 National Championship.
With a new record of 121 players for the season kick-off, the driving range, putting and chipping greens were filled early in the morning. We saw players either trying to brush off the rust from a long winter break or polished from an off season spent in Florida. As we were about to see, everyone was going to need some help today! As always in early March in Georgia, the day started off in a familiar manner, with a frost delay. We saw our first tee times pushed back an hour to allow the course to thaw. With cool temperatures and gusting winds, the course was going to play long and tough.
As scores started rolling in, one thing was clear for the majority of the players in the field; the course won the tournament that day. We saw scores that ranged from a 1-under 71 to some very convenient WD (with drawls) or NC (no cards). Overall the day turned out to be great and all the players, new and old, were treated to a great start to the 2007 season. Listed below are the winners per flight and prize money awarded, St. Ives pro shop gift certificates:
Flight 1 - Brian Katrek, Smyrna (71) ($290)
Flight 2 - Sean Summers, Canton (81) ($320)
Flight 3 - John Delbeau, Cumming (82) ($340)
Flight 4 - Doug Rowles, Suwanee (83) ($330)
Flight 5 - Stuart Blandford, Atlanta (96) ($200)
Flight 6 - David Griffin, Canton (102) ($225)
Shot of the tournament this week goes out to Flight 5 newcomer, Michael Abercrombie. On the 16th hole, Michael found himself short sided in the greenside bunker. His final shot out of the bunker found itself flying out of the bunker, catching the collar, releasing, tracking toward the hole and…..DRANO! A great bunker shot that ended with him not needing to pull the putter out of the bag. Great shot Michael!
This week’s event takes us to yet another new track on the schedule, The Georgia Club. The club, voted best new club in 2001 by Georgia Golf News, promises to be a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Till next week, stay out of the woods…