Coaster Ride @ Hill Country Golf Club - Winter Classic

Scott R Chilcutt, December 3, 2012 (San Antonio, TX)  Rain all day on Friday continued overnight and into the morning when the tournament committee traveled from the hotel to the course. While the clouds would remain for the day, the rain would quit, leaving a beautiful day for the Hill Country Tour to contest the Winter Classic.
Set on over 200 acres The Hill Country Golf Club is located on the grounds of The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, with views of the Steele Eel, the 4,000 foot two minute hypercoaster ride at SeaWorld SanAntonio just minutes away.  "Roller coaster" was the term many players used today as the Oaks and Lakes nines combined to host up and down scores all day long.

Bob  Tuttle won in the score card playoff for the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Labor Finders over Xavier Bardy.


RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  First year member from Waco, TX, Kyle Lewie took a three shot lead to the back nine but Chris Daniluck Boerne, TX quickly made up the difference on 10 and 11.  Daniluck would then seal the deal on his 2nd win in as many tries with a birdie on the creek bordered par 5 - 15th hole when Lewie ran into trouble.

Palmer Flight:  Derek Loebbecke from Ceuro, TX started out on fire, playing the first thirteen holes in 3 over par but fell back to the field when he shot 8 over on the last five holes.  Midland, TX resident and Dallas Tour player Jeremy Henson got rid of his troubles early as he finished the back nine in 2 over par to tie it up with Loebbecke, but darkness kept the two from an on course playoff and Henson picked up his first win on tour in a scorecard playoff.   Ron Finnerty from Laredo rounded out the top three just one shot back of the first place pair.

Senior Palmer Flight:  Dallas tour player, Michael Morgan from Shreveport, LA thought his win chances were dashed with a triple on the par 4 eighteenth hole but his 3 over par front nine was enough to stay one stroke clear of Frank Davis from San Antonio.  Davis, a winner on his first time out in the 2012 season, finished three strokes ahead of another Dallas tour traveler,  Sean Fenton from Fort Worth, TX.

Hogan Flight:  Stigler, OK tour player Chris Blankenship used the putter to slam the door shut on 2nd place Bryan Wood of Leander, TX  and show finisher, Converse, TX member Ronnie Davis.  Blankenship birdies on 10, 14 and 18 were enough to stay ahead of the field in spite of two triples and a double along the way.  Wood takes a 185 point lead in the Order of Merit Points over Davis with an earlier win in Houston.

Senior Hogan Flight:  A quad 8 on the final hole didn't stop Maurice Mintken from Round Rock, TX from picking up his first win on the tour in his first attempt.  With an up and down scorecard, Mintken recorded two birdies to stay ahead of second place finishers, Bastrop, TX member Gene Rampy and Dallas Tour player Roger Davis from Frisco, TX.

Sarazen Flight:  San Antonio resident Rolando Lopez grabbed his 2nd win on tour by a single stroke over fellow San Antonio player Rene Realme and Michael Esquivel from Austin. Realme would win the scorecard playoff for second place gift card awards finishing the back nine in 5 over par.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Visiting Louisiana Tour player, Walter White from Monroe, LA ran into trouble on the 10th hole after finishing five over par on the front nine but held on to win his first event since November, 2010.  One back, Fred Hines from San Antonio held the 2nd spot with Dallas resident Rick Allaire rounding out the top three.

Jones Flight: Two for two, Kingsland, TX player Bob Tuttle lapped the field finishing nine strokes ahead of Rog Springer from San Antonio and ten clear of Killeen, TX member Josue Duprey.  Tuttle finished the day strong, even par over the last six holes with the help of birdies on 14 and 15.

Snead Flight: Pflugerville, TX member Thomas Kerwin battled for his seventh win on tour, three strokes ahead of Xavier Bardy from San Antonio. Bardy, finished out the round rocky but was able to stay one stroke clear of Round Rock, TX player Jason Crawford.
      





SKINS:

Championship / Palmer / Senior Palmer:  1 -- Michael Morgan, Shreveport, LA; Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX; Chris Daniluck, Boerne, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan: 2 -- Maurice Mintken, Round Rock, TX.  1 -- Chris Blankenship, Stigler, OK; Bryan Wood, Leander, TX.

Sarazen / Senior Sarazen:  2 -- Fred Hines, San Antonio, TX.  1 -- Rick Allaire, Dallas, TX; Texal Kyle,
San Antonio, TX; Walter White, Monroe, LA.

Jones / Snead:  1 -- Xavier Bardy, San Antonio, TX; Douglas Pritchett, Ft Worth, TX; Josue Duprey, Killeen, TX; Burnie Rodgers, Haslet, TX; Richard Schram, Bryan, TX; Rog Springer, San Antonio, TX.

Next Up - Hill Country Tour tees it up at the Kerrville Championship at The Club @ Comanche Trace on February 11, 2012.  Dallas Tour resumes play at the Grand Prairie Classic on February 18, 2012.   Oklahoma Tour is off until 2012 at the ST. Patty's Day @ KickingBird event.  The first Major of the 2012 points year (another sell out) will be held at the Innisbrook Resort for the Winter Championship.  

For more information:


Scott R Chilcutt
Tour DirectorDallas / Fort Worth - Hill Country - Oklahoma
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
405.513.1467 - 972.201.9478
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:

Dallas - gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Provisional Ball - Part III

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (December 1, 2012)  Now you have hit the provisional, let's look at some of the situations and decisions based upon that election.

Your provisional ball does the same thing as the original ball (may be lost, etc...):

If a provisional ball played under rule 27-2a might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, the player may play another provisional ball.  If another provisional ball is played , it bears the same relationship to the previous provisional ball as the first provisional ball bears to the original ball.

In other words, if your first two are lost and you play the third provisional you will be hitting 5 off the tee.  If your original ball is lost but your first provisional is found you abandon the second provisional.

Your provisional ball does not advance past the point of your original ball:  

You may continue to play the provisional ball until it advances past the point of your original ball (or previous provisional).

When your provisional ball becomes the ball in play:

The ball is lost or out of bounds.


Here are a couple of decisions that many players don't understand that can effect your decision to play a provisional:

DON'T:

27-2a/2  Provisional Ball Played Solely in Belief Original Ball Might Be in Water Hazard

Q. A player's tee shot might be in a water hazard, but clearly it is not lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds. The player announces that, since his ball might be in the hazard, he is going to play a provisional ball and he does so. Rule 27-2a seems to prohibit a provisional ball in the circumstances. What is the ruling?

A. The player did not play a provisional ball which, according to the Definition of "Provisional Ball," is a ball played under Rule 27-2 for a ball which may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds. The second ball from the tee was in play since it was not a provisional ball.

DO:

27-2a/2.2 Possibility That Original Ball Is in Water Hazard May Not Preclude Play of Provisional Ball

Q. If a player's original ball may have come to rest in a water hazard, is he precluded from playing a provisional ball?

A. No. Even though the original ball may be in a water hazard, the player is entitled to play a provisional ball if the original ball might also be lost outside the water hazard or out of bounds. In such a case, if the original ball is found in the water hazard, the provisional ball must be abandoned — Rule 27-2c (Formerly 27-2c/1)

27-2a/2.5  Player Plays Provisional Ball in Belief Original Ball Might Be Lost Outside Water Hazard Then Discovers There Is No Possibility of Its Being Lost Outside Water Hazard

Q. A player's tee shot is struck towards an area of trees, bushes and tall grass. Believing his ball might be lost outside a water hazard, the player announces his intention to play a provisional ball and plays a ball from the tee. When he arrives at the area, he finds that the area in question is wetlands that has been defined as a lateral water hazard and that it is known or virtually certain that his ball is in it. What is the ruling?

A. As the player played the second ball from the tee in the belief that his original ball might be lost outside a water hazard, that ball was a provisional ball. The subsequent discovery that the area in question is in fact a lateral water hazard is irrelevant. Therefore, the player must abandon the provisional ball and proceed under Rule 26-1 — see Rule 27-2c.

Are you totally confused?  Don't be, the rules of golf can be your friend, spend time to take advantage of them and stay out of trouble.




Next Up - Dallas Tour resumes play at the Grand Prairie Classic on February 18, 2012.  Hill Country Tour tees it up at the Winter Classic at Hyatt Hill Country on December 3rd.  Oklahoma Tour is off until 2012 at the ST. Patty's Day @ KickingBird event.  The first Major of the 2012 points year (another sell out) will be held at the Innisbrook Resort for the Winter Championship.  

For more information:


Scott R Chilcutt
Tour DirectorDallas / Fort Worth - Hill Country - Oklahoma
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
405.513.1467 - 972.201.9478schilcutt@gcamtour.com
www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:

Dallas - gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Provisional Ball - Part II

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (November 30, 2012)  Now you have elected to play a provisional ball, what's next?

First be sure you are not playing out of turn:

10-3. Provisional Ball or Another Ball from Teeing Ground

If a player plays a provisional ball or another ball from the teeing ground, he must do so after his opponent or fellow-competitor has made his first stroke. If more than one player elects to play a provisional ball or is required to play another ball from the teeing ground, the original order of play must be retained. If a player plays a provisional ball or another ball out of turn, Rule 10-1c Rule 10-2c applies.

If you are not on the teeing ground this doesn't come into play.  Simply make sure that's it's safe to play your additional ball and go for it!

Second be sure to make it aware that you are electing to play a provisional. 

Simply saying, "I might be in the junk" doesn't work.  If you don't make the fact that you are playing a provisional ball aware to your marker / playing partners you are now putting that ball in play.

Third identify the difference in balls / markings.

While this is not a requirement it may save you strokes in the long run:

27/11  Provisional Ball Not Distinguishable from Original Ball

A player entitled to play a provisional ball from the tee plays it into the same area as his original ball. The balls have identical markings and the player cannot distinguish between them. Following are various situations and the solutions, which are based on equity (Rule 1-4), when the above circumstances exist and one or both of the balls are found within a search of five minutes:

Situation 1: One ball is found in a water hazard and the other ball is not found.

Solution 1: The ball that was found must be presumed to be the provisional ball.

--------

Situation 2:Both balls are found in a water hazard.

Solution 2: As the player's original ball is lost in the water hazard due to his inability to identify it (see analogous Decision 27/10), the player must proceed under Rule 26-1 with respect to the original ball (estimating the spot where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, if necessary — see Decision 26-1/17); his next stroke would be his third.

-------

Situation 3: One ball is found in bounds and the other ball is lost or is found out of bounds.

Solution 3: The ball in bounds must be presumed to be the provisional ball.

-------

Situation 4: Both balls are found in bounds, whether in a playable or an unplayable lie, and (1) one ball is in a water hazard and the other is not or (2) both balls lie through the green or in a bunker.

Solution 4: One could argue that both balls are lost. However, it would be inequitable to require the player to return to the tee, playing 5, when the player has found both balls but does not know which is the original and which the provisional. Accordingly, the player must select one of the balls, treat it as his provisional ball and abandon the other.  

Part III will speak to what happens when you find your original ball.



Next Up - Dallas Tour resumes play at the Grand Prairie Classic on February 18, 2012.  Hill Country Tour tees it up at the Winter Classic at Hyatt Hill Country on December 3rd.  Oklahoma Tour is off until 2012 at the ST. Patty's Day @ KickingBird event.  The first Major of the 2012 points year (another sell out) will be held at the Innisbrook Resort for the Winter Championship.  

For more information:


Scott R Chilcutt
Tour DirectorDallas / Fort Worth - Hill Country - Oklahoma
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
405.513.1467 - 972.201.9478schilcutt@gcamtour.com
www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:

Dallas - gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Provisional Ball - Part I

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (November 28, 2012)  As you may know at some tournaments you will see local rules that define native areas and or un kept portions of a golf course as a "lateral hazard" in an attempt to speed up play.  While there are many situations where that needs to be done, it's my position that if  those hazards aren't part of the golf course design then those areas are integral parts of that golf course and you should play the golf course the way it was designed.


So how can we play the course as it's designed without taking all day to finish a round?

Rule 27-2. Provisional Ball - One thing that can definitely speed up play is to correctly use the provisional ball procedure.

If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally in accordance with Rule 27-1.

The player must inform his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play that he intends to play a provisional ball, and he must play it before he or his partner goes forward to search for the original ball.

If he fails to do so and plays another ball, that ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance -  (Rule 27-1); the original ball is lost.

But always remembers if you find your ball outside a hazard or in bounds after playing a provisional you don't have a choice, the original ball must be played and you've abandoned the provisional.

Take some time to look at some of the Decisions under 27/1, they'll help you save strokes and time.

Next Up - Dallas Tour resumes play at the Grand Prairie Classic on February 18, 2012.  Hill Country Tour tees it up at the Winter Classic at Hyatt Hill Country on December 3rd.  Oklahoma Tour is off until 2012 at the ST. Patty's Day @ KickingBird event.  The first Major of the 2012 points year (another sell out) will be held at the Innisbrook Resort for the Winter Championship.  

For more information:


Scott R Chilcutt
Tour DirectorDallas / Fort Worth - Hill Country - Oklahoma
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
405.513.1467 - 972.201.9478schilcutt@gcamtour.com
www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:

Dallas - gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Hill Country Opener - SilverHorn Recap

Scott R Chilcutt, San Antonio, TX (November 12, 2011)  SilverHorn Golf Club of Texas, just north of the San Antonio International Airport, near Highway 281 and Anderson Loop 1604 intersection is nestled into the country side with much natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife, including a few bucks that could be used for the logo.  

This week, while you'll notice the Golf Channel partners with the USGA on a "Green is Universal" program to help golf courses promote sustainability to benefit people and wildlife.  By the looks of the deer population, it appears that SilverHorn is utilizing some environmental stewardship practices.   Unfortunately the course doesn't practice what is evidently a "lost art" of tee sheet and course and cart management.

Cramming golfers on a tough, windblown golf course only works for the short term revenues.  Revenue sustainability will be very problematic if they don't change those practices. 

So long, SilverHorn, the Am Tour won't be back.

Tom Hill from Boerne, TX won the first Tournament Champion Trophy with a net one over par that we will have to award at his next event.  While the Golf Channel Am Tour doesn't actually have any NET awards, we have sponsorship in our other markets for this special trophy utilizing the 3-5 rule.


Results:

Championship:  Chris Daniluck from Boerne, TX picked up his first win since the 2010 Hershey Open MAJOR Championship over new Waco, TX member Kyle Lewie and Ray Martinez III from San Antonio.  Back nine woes wouldn't deny the win after Daniluk went out in one over par 37, with two birdies on the front nine.

Palmer:  San Antonio's Frank Davis and Gary Grizzle knotted up the top spot with Tulsa, OK player Roland Lewis and took it to extra holes.  Lewis departed after the first playoff hole and Davis held on for the win with a par on the 2nd extra hole.  All three took different routes to the playoff, Lewis with 3 over par on the back, Grizzle's birdie on the 14th to keep him in it while Davis started with a steady 3 over par on the front nine.

Hogan:  Killeen, TX member Brian Cox picked up his fourth win on tour after starting a little unsteady. Bouncing back from a triple on the par 4 - fourth hole Cox toured the next eight holes in two over par with a birdie on 17 for a 3 stroke cushion over Jorge Rodriguez from Round Rock. Ronnie Davis from Converse, TX and San Antonio player Michael Mathis tied up the 3rd spot, 3 strokes back with Mathis taking the scorecard playoff for the final gift card.

Senior Hogan:  Steve Trickel from Boerne, TX birdied the final hole to force the 2nd playoff of the day with  Bastrop, TX member Gene Rampy.  Rampy grabbed the playoff win for his first title on the tour with Bill Clark from Helotes, TX rounding out the top three.

Sarazen:  Austin, TX member Michael Esquivel battled to his 3rd win on tour, four strokes clear of Rene Realme from San Antonio. Esquivel's up and down round finished strong with a birdie on 14 and one over on the final six holes. Houston tour traveler Gus Aldana finished in the 3rd spot.

Senior Sarazen:  In our first darkness shortened flight Duane Kratzer from Round Rock and New Braunfels player Ted Roels were tied but after a score card playoff Kratzer took home the top spot.  Gerald Cato from Bastrop, TX landed in the show position.

Jones:  Bob Tuttle from Kingsland, TX picked up his sixth win on tour, his first since May 2010 after only playing one event during the 2011 points season.  Tuttle finished four strokes clear of 2nd place Oklahoma member Loyd Welch from McAlester, OK. Josue Duprey from Killeen rounded out the top three.    

Snead:  Tom Hill from Boerne, TX took it to the field with a six stroke lead over 2nd place Carlos Cruz.  Cruz, relocating to the San Antonio area from Burleson, TX stayed one clear of the San Antonio pair, David Blackwood and Charles Mielak where Mielak grabbed the final gift card in a score card playoff.  Hill a multiple major winner at the TEXAS OPEN at Horseshoe Bay Resort in 2011 and the Texas Open MAJOR at Barton Creek in 2009 picked up his sixth career win.

SKINS:

Championship /Palmer:  2 -- Derek Loebbecke, Cuero, TX.  1 -- Chris Daniluck, Boerne, TX; Greg Brueland, San Antonio, TX; Todd VanDerSchaegen, San Antonio, TX; Roland Lewis, Tulsa, OK; Mark Ratliff, Bulverde, TX.

Hogan/Senior Hogan:  1 -- Brian Cox, Killeen, TX; Jorge Rodriguez, Round Rock, TX; Jack Holt, Boerne, TX; Steve Trickel, Boerne, TX.

Sarazen/Senior Sarazen:  1 -- Devin Brown, San Antonio, TX; Daniel Woods, Carnegie, PA; Duane Kratzer, Round Rock, TX, TX; Gerald Cato, Bastrop, TX.

Jones / Snead:  2 -- Steve Newman, San Antonio, TX.  1 -- Jason Crawford, Round Rock, TX; Carlos Cruz, Burleson, TX; Thomas Kerwin, Pflugerville, TX.




Next Up - Dallas Tour takes on the Open @ Texas Star on November 19th.  Hill Country Tour tees it up at the Winter Classic at Hyatt Hill Country on December 3rd.  Oklahoma Tour is off until 2012 at the ST. Patty's Day @ KickingBird event.  The first Major of the 2012 points year (another sell out) will be held at the Innisbrook Resort for the Winter Championship.  

For more information:


Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas / Fort Worth - Hill Country - Oklahoma
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
405.513.1467 - 972.201.9478
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:

Dallas - gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Frank Davis - Member Spotlight

As many of you know the Golf Channel Am Tour ran a series of Member Spotlights through the Spring and Summer of 2011 and those members were rotated in one the website.   Frank Davis was the last of the year and missed that rotation so we wanted to put it up here on the blog.

Thanks to Pat Campbell for the write up:

Name: Frank Davis

Handicap and Flight: 6.7, Senior Palmer

Favorite Tournament: 2008 National Championship at Disney World where he says, “I had the good fortune to finish 2^nd.”

Current Achievements: After struggling for the better part of a year, Frank moved to the Senior Hogan flight and regained his game and confidence. He has since earned a promotion back to Senior Palmer. He tied for 3^rd at the Texas Masters at TPC San Antonio and won in the combined Palmer flight at Onion Creek after moving back.

Outstanding Attributes: You can always count on Frank for three things – 1) he seldom misses a local event (one in the last two years), 2) he always states his opinion in a pleasant and professional manner, and 3) you can pair him with anybody and know they feel welcomed.  Frank joined the Tour before it was the Golf Channel Am Tour. When asked what keeps bringing him back he said, “The reasons for my return are numerous, but primarily the comradeship and competition that the Tour offers.”

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas/Fort Worth - Hll Country
Oklahoma
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
405.513.1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:

Dallas - gcatdallas.blogspot.com

Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Bryan Wood Wins in Houston

Bryan Wood (Center) Hogan Champion

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (October 16, 2011)  Hill Country Tour member Bryan Wood from Leander, TX traveled to the Cypress Lakes 2012 Opener on the Houston Tour and brought home the hardware.   

Results Hogan Flight: 

Bryan Wood made the trip over from the SAA-Tour worthwhile as he picked up where he left off at Nationals; another round in the 70’s.  Wood’s round of 79 was good for the victory by one stroke.  Wood carded eleven pars and a birdie at the 6^thhole.  Wes Reed finished just one stroke back with a round of 80, capturing second place honors.  Reed carded seven pars and birdies at holes 1 and 7.  Jeff Green returned to tour play with a round of 83/39 and finished third place.  Green carded nine pars on his round.  Jeff Stahlhut finished fourth place with a round of 83/41, carding eleven pars on the day.  Jacques Bessiere finished fifth place with a round of 84/41, including nine pars.

For more information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Tour Director

Dallas / Fort Worth Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Oklahoma Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467 - 972.302.9478

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:  

Dallas -  gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcatsanantonio.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com

Did you know?

With the spring of 2011 makeover of the Golf Channel Am Tour website one of the many functional enhancements was the addition of the tour blogs.   Now the head scratching starts for many, what’s a Blog?  A blog is a way for different individuals, in this case tour directors, to maintain content, commentary, description of events, post event recaps and other items of interest to the tour members within the Golf Channel Am Tour Community.

OK, sounds like another website right?  Not exactly, one of the many advantages to a blog system is this interactivity.  All of the blog posts will allow a visitor to leave a comment.  “Great job on your win”, “why don’t you have shotgun starts?”, etc...  This interactivity and the ability for readers to leave comments is an important difference between static websites and the new tour blogs.  

Next time you see some news or a new post to your tour blog, interact with your community and post your thoughts, ideas or accolades!

For more information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Tour Director

Dallas / Fort Worth Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Oklahoma Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467 - 972.302.9478

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

www.gcamtour.com

Visit the Tour Blogs:  

Dallas -  gcatdallas.blogspot.com - Hill Country - gcathillcountry.blogspot.com

Oklahoma - gcatoklahoma.blogspot.com