Texas Masters In The Hill Country at Barton Creek

The Final Texas Major of The Year Crowns 11 Champions

Austin, TX (July 29, 2012)  The last time a Golf Channel Am Tour event was contested at Barton Creek was the 2010 Texas Open Major at Barton Creek in late March of that year.  Many referred to the event as the 40/40 Major.  After beautiful 70 degree practice rounds on Friday, the 40 miles per hour NW Winds blew in to bring the temperatures into the 40's. The subsequent Texas Open Major was moved to Horseshoe Bay after the tour was afforded a two course format. 


Jump ahead 28 months and the Tour finds its way back to the Barton Creek Resort and Spa after the previous July date for the Texas Masters at TPC San Antonio was moved some 80 miles north in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.    For this years Texas Masters at Barton Creek the original 1986 Fazio Foothills design was added to the Crenshaw Cliffside layout where two distinct courses found the players working hard to make day one to day two adjustments and as suspected the late March cold and wind turned into July light breezes and hot temperatures.  Burnie Rodgers from Haslet, TX aced the par three - 13th hole at the Crenshaw course for his first career hole in one on Sunday.


After setting a precedent for Texas generosity and support for the Troops at the earlier Texas Open, a record was set for the 180 player event with over $1,600 raised for David Feherty's Troops First Foundation.




RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Local Austin, TX newcomer to the tour, Charles Rougeau made it three for three.     In four rounds on the tour Rougeau is +10 with two local wins to go with his Major victory. After a first day +4, Charles carded four birdies on day two to finish three strokes up over first round leader Terry Rice from Midland, TX.  Rice went one over par, with a couple of birdies on the Crenshaw course, but ran into early trouble on the Fazio layout to finish +7, two strokes clear of Houston Tour member Travis Nichols.

Palmer Flight: Tino Flores from Houston, TX picked up his second win on tour by five strokes over San Antonio, TX resident Dave Davlin. Flores starting on the 10th at the Crenshaw Course birdied two holes going out to lead wire to wire. Davlin took a stroke off his day one total to edge out fellow San Antonio player Todd VanDerSchaegen punching his ticket to the National Championships rounding out the top three.        

Senior Palmer Flight:  Vinore, TN player Bill Foley went -2 on the back nine on his final day to take nine strokes off his first day to pick up the win two strokes ahead of  first round leader Michael Walker from Cypress, TX.  Walker was able to muster six birdies on the day to stay ahead of the consistent San Antonio player Frank Davis who finished in the show position.

Hogan Flight:  With a double bogey on his 36th hole, Jeff Blackwood from Midland, TX opened the playoff door for Round Rock, TX resident Jorge Rodriguez.  On the second hole of the playoff, Rodriquez would win with a birdie, his fourth Major Championship win and first as a Hogan Player with his three previous trophies coming in the Jones Flight.  Jeff, the fourth Blackwood family member to qualify for this years National Championship earlier in the year with a T3 finish at the Red River Shootout at WinStar Resort  bested his son, Daegan Blackwood, by three strokes for his third runner up finish in as many tries.    
    

Senior Hogan Flight:  Bruce Callich from Checotah, OK won his second event and first Major on his career with a low flight round 79 on the final day.  Steve Barnett from The Woodlands, TX took a six stroke lead into the final round, but let the Crenshaw course get the best of him finishing in the second spot, one stroke back. Randy Hodges from Montgomery, TX took two strokes off his day one finish to knot up the third and final National Championship qualification spot with Edmond, OK member Bud Surber.

Sarazen Flight:  Houston Tour member,  Matt Purgahn Orange, TX picked up his third win on the season, wire to wire by nine strokes over James Sheppeard  from Tomball, TX.  Ahead by three strokes after his first round, Purgahn widened the spread on a one birdie round, 81 at the Fazio course. Nancy Geihl of Grand Prairie, TX added a birdie her final hole of the event to tie up the third and final National Championship invitations with Devin Brown from San Antonio, TX and  Odessa, TX member Joe Luman.  

Senior Sarazen Flight:  After his recent Major Championship win at the Red River Shootout at WinStar Resort  and ultimate promotion from the Jones Flight, Bob Tuttle from Kingsland, TX shot a final round 79 to force a playoff with Mansfield, TX player John Cox.  In the sudden death Tuttle would outlast Cox for his second Major Championship in a row.  Ken Benjamin of Grand Prairie, TX bounced back from heat complications at the WinStar event to punch his ticket to the Nationals, three strokes back.

Jones Flight:  Greg Preissinger from Granbury, TX went even par over his last four holes to catch Keith Bruce from Gordonville, TX for his fourth win on his first season on tour.  One stroke back of Preissinger after the first round, Bruce carded a couple of birdies on his front nine to stay even with Greg on the day just one stroke back.  Imran Siddiqi from Edmond, OK finished just two strokes back for his second third place Major Championship finish on the year.   

Senior Jones Flight:  Sealy, TX player, Mark Boles grabbed his first win on tour,  by three strokes over fellow Houston Tour member Randy Adcock of Vidor, TX. Adcock took twelve strokes off his day one total to vault into the 2nd place spot just three strokes back of Boles and three strokes ahead of third place traveler Michael Szemeredy from Tampa, FL. 

Snead Flight:  Knocking on the Major Championship winning door, with three previous podium finishes on the season, Carlos Cruz from San Antonio, TX took the lead into the final day and made it stick.  Cruz finished seven strokes ahead of The Woodlands, TX resident Patrick Richardson.  Richardson solidified his National Championship spot by a stroke over the highly traveled David Small of St. Peters, MO.  The event marked Small's 30th event and 7th Major Championship on the season.

Senior Snead Flight:  65 year old Tony Ott from West Palm Beach, FL kept his game steady for a ten stroke advantage over Alan Brumley from Humble, TX.  Brumley, coming off of two recent local wins on the season stayed ahead of the charging McKinney, TX player Larry Tolson.  Tolson a Dallas Tour points leader punched his ticket to the Senior National Championship with his best Major finish of the year.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas / Hill Country / Oklahoma Tours
405.513.1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com 

1850's Classen Homestead Hosts The Challenge at The Springs

Scott R Chilcutt, San Antonio, TX (July 21, 2012)  Known to be the 2nd stop on the old stagecoach trail out of San Antonio, Canyon Springs Golf Club was developed on the Classen Homestead where the Classen family claimed the 54,000 acre property following the Homestead Act in the 1850's.  Situated north of the 281 and 1604 loop intersection bordering the Stone Oak area modern day home sites overlooking the Hill Country have taken over any semblance of  that day gone by.  But the golf course facilities welcome you back to that world from the rustic wood signs, the longhorn pens to the dry stacked rock buildings giving you the feeling you're on that 1850's homestead.

Thick and plush native areas and roughs present the welcome precipitation over the Hill Country this summer and scores reflected the narrow layout.  Leonard Linkes grabbed his second Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Labor Finders by two strokes over a career low round carded by Brian Cox of Killeen, TX.


RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Boerne, TX resident Chris Daniluck breezed to his fifth win on the season over Arkansas Tour member recently relocated to West Texas, Al Smith.  Daniluk birdied the par three second hole to go out in one under par then added an eagle on the fifteenth to win by five strokes.  Smith carded two birdies to stay three strokes clear of  Ken Dyke from Keller, TX.

Palmer Flight:  Knotted up in the club house with five over par 77's Scott Williams from College Station, TX and San Antonio, TX member Gary Grizzle would head back to the 18th tee box to make it official. Both players would bogey the hole the first time around but found the green in regulation on the second try.  Williams stiffed his approach shot and won out with a birdie for his third win on tour punching his ticket to the National Championship.  Five birdies on the day got Grizzle in the playoff and held off  Frank Davis from San Antonio, TX who carded four birdies to round out the top three.

Hogan Flight:  Seeking a move to the Sarazen Flight, Brian Cox nixed those notions with a two over par 74 for a career low round. Cox recorded two birdies on the day to pick up his second win on the season by six strokes over fellow Killeen, TX player Derrick Matthews.  Tim Haverly of San Antonio, TX finished in the show position four strokes back.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Paul Wuerdeman of San Antonio, TX was the second of the day to qualify for this National Championships with his third win on the season. Wuerdeman playing on familiar ground finished two strokes clear of Boerne, TX resident Steve Trickel.  Trickle, with an eagle on the par five tenth hole added a birdie to stay two strokes ahead of third place finisher Gene Rampy of Bastrop, TX.
  

Sarazen Flight:  Gerald Cato of Bastrop, TX grabbed his second win on the season by a single stroke over recently promoted Bob Tuttle from Kingsland, TX.  Tuttle recorded three birdies on the day to stay out front of last weeks winner, San Antonio, TX player Devin Brown. 

Jones Flight:   Helotes, TX player Scott Thompson took advantage of birdies on the first and last holes to pick up his fourth win on the season by three strokes over Damian Shipley of Corpus Christi, TX.  Shipley, a winner his last time out, finished two strokes clear of Killeen, TX member Josue Duprey rounding out the third spot.

Snead Flight:  First time tour winner, Dwain Smith from Cedar Park, TX birdied the par five fifteenth hole to finish two strokes ahead of 71 year old Leonard Linkes of San Antonio, TX.  One stroke back Pflugerville, TX member Thomas Kerwin recorded his third show position of the year.     






SKINS:


Championship /Palmer:  3 -- Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Chris Daniluck, Boerne, TX; Willie Roach, Fort Worth, TX; Robert Sykes, Levelland, TX; Gary Grizzle, San Antonio, TX.


Hogan / Senior Hogan:  2 -- Gene Rampy, Bastrop, TX; Darrell Wilson, Georgetown, TX; Steve Trickel, Boerne, TX. 1 -- Jorge Rodriguez, Round Rock, TX.


Sarazen:  2 -- William Dunem, New Braunfels, TX; John Heintz, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Gregg Smith, Austin, TX.


Jones:  3 -- Scott Thompson, Helotes, TX. 2 -- Damian Shipley, Corpus Christi, TX. 1 -- John Merritt, Kerrville, TX; David Castillo, San Antonio, TX; Mark Rivera, San Antonio, TX; Kevin Roberts, Granbury, TX.


Snead:  1 -- Ramon Colen, San Antonio, TX; Larry Rucker, Universal City, TX; Carlos Cruz, San Antonio, TX; Gene Hanley, San Antonio, TX.

Next UP:  53 Hill Country Tour members take on the Texas Master at Barton Creek  on July 28th and 29th.  The season final and Tour Championship is set for TPC San Antonio on August 11th.  Register early as it looks to be a sellout.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas / Hill Country / Oklahoma Tours
405.513.1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com

Bridgestone Staff Bags Up For Grabs

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (July 19, 2012)  Plans have been finalized and we will award the top Order of Merit Points finisher in each flight a customized Bridgestone Staff Bag. 

Each "Player of the Year" will be awarded the customized bag, with Golf Channel Am Tour Logo, Flight Champion and Name.  Bags will be presented at the Tour Championship and pocket with the name stitched will be sent in a short time.  After all we won't know the winners until after the DOUBLE POINTS Tour Championship.

Sport your Player of The Year award at the National Championships, show them how we do it on your TOUR.


Next Up:  Hill Country Tour resumes play at the Challenge at the Springs on July 21st and then a break for the Texas Master at Barton Creek.  The Tour then finishes the year at the Tour Championship at TPC San Antonio for a double points event and last chance for National Championship Qualification on August 11th.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas / Hill Country / Oklahoma Tours
405.513.1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com

Classic Day At La Cantera - Palmer Course

Hill Country Tour Splits With Houston At The Return to La Cantera -Five of Ten Trophies Leave For The Gulf Coast

Ace Blackwood Lives Up To His Namesake

Scott R Chilcutt, San Antonio, TX (July 14, 2012)  The stage was set with the scenic vistas over San Antonio and the Hill Country for a "Classic Battle of Tours".  Visiting Tour players from Buffalo and New York City, NY, along with Oklahoma, Dallas and Houston converged on the property bordering Six Flags Fiesta Texas.  After a year hiatus from the tour schedule, The Westin, La Cantera Hill Country welcomed players and The Palmer Course showed them who was boss. With thunderstorms churning to the west, cloudy skies and light winds kept the mid July round comfortable and the staff at The Palmer Course, La Cantera solidified why this should be a yearly stop on tour.   



Brack Blackwood - Hole in One Par 3 - 7th

 When Dallas Tour member Brack Blackwood from Grandbury, TX was asked, "how did you shoot a 90"? He responded with "I had a hole in one".  Blackwood, paired with Ron Finnerty, Tony Eno and Martin Nealey in the Palmer Flight holed out his tee shot on the par three, seventh hole with a 24 degree hybird from 181 yards for his second hole in one and first on tour.  Derrick Matthews from Killeen, TX was the recipient of the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Labor Finders by two strokes over Damian Shipley of Corpus Christi, TX.



RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  In the first of a Husband / Wife combination to take home Championships, Lynn Cormier of Missouri City, TX grabbed his third win of the year and second on the Hill Country Tour.  Cormier and Boerne, TX player Chris Daniluck went to the 18th knotted up but Daniluk doubled the final hole to finish in the runner up spot by a single stroke.  Mark Miller from Bulverde, TX started out hot with back to back birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes going out in one over par but came to the club house two strokes back to round out the third place finish.

Palmer Flight:  Ron Finnerty from Laredo, TX picked up his first win on tour since the 2011 May Day Challenge,  Three over after the front nine, Finnerty added a birdie at the par 4 -15th to finish two strokes ahead of Dave Davlin from San Antonio, TX.  Davlin carded his best finish since the runner up spot at the Grand Cypress Challenge Major in May with a two stroke cushion over Houston Tour traveler Martin Nealey from The Woodlands, TX.

Hogan Flight:  Killeen, TX member Derrick Matthews recorded his second win since his promotion to the Hogan Flight and third on the year. With a birdie on the 2nd, Matthews finished two strokes in front of Dallas Tour member Jeff Blackwood of Midland, TX.  Four strokes back New York, NY visitor Philip Mahony shared the third place finish with Houston Tour Director Jeff Zemencsik. 

Senior Hogan Flight:  George Carlisle from Houston, TX made it two for his last two after winning the June 11th Woodlands Panther Trail event. A single stroke back, Boerne, TX resident Steve Trickel, a winner on the Houston Tour at the May 26th HOU - Wilderness tied up the second place finish with Dallas Tour two time 2012 winner Gregory Stairs from Mansfield, TX.

Sarazen Flight:  Salt Lake City, UT native and NBA standout Devin Brown of San Antonio commanded his second win in his last three tries by two strokes over William Dunem from New Braunfels, TX. With his second place finish Dunem vaulted to the first place spot in the Sarazen Flight points and finished four strokes clear of Houston Tour member Jeff Greenwood of Spring, TX and San Antonio, TX member "Lil" John Heintz.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Homer Turbeville of Austin, TX is making a habit of winning.  Turbeville won in a playoff in his last outing, didn't need any extra holes to finish eight strokes ahead of San Antonio, TX player Richard Huyck. Huyck, tied with Turbeville through the fourteenth hole, ran out of gas on the final four holes but, finished six strokes clear of Joe Abreo from Bulverde, TX and Bastrop, TX player Gerald Cato knotted up in the show position.

Jones Flight:  Corpus Christi, TX resident and Hill Country Tour Member Damian Shipley made his debut on the Hill Country Tour count.  Picking up his second win on Tour, Shipley played his first five events on the Am Tour on the Houston Tour. Killeen, TX member Josue Duprey recorded his third runner up spot to go with four wins on tour this year two strokes back.  Dallas Tour member Greg Preissinger from Granbury, TX rounded out the top three just a single stroke back of Duprey.

Senior Jones Flight:  The better half of the Husband / Wife Championship winners, Houston Tour member Lu Cormier from Missouri City, TX took advantage of the Hill Country men for her second win on the year. Cormier birdied the par 5 - 3rd hole in route to a four stroke advantage over Thomas West from Giddings, TX.  West stayed clear of the pair of Mike Jones from Midland, TX and Kerrville, TX member John Merritt by two strokes.

Snead Flight:  Houston Tour member Javier Quintero nearly lapped the field with an eight stroke advantage for his ninth win on tour and first on the year over second place finisher Francisco Vazquez of Waco, TX.  Five strokes back of Vazquez, San Antonio, TX player and National Championship Qualifier with a 2nd place finish at the Red River Shootout at WinStar Resort  Major Carlos Cruz and Kingsville, TX newcomer Michael Tredway tied up for the third place honors. 

Senior Snead Flight:  Alan Brumley from Humble, TX finished the Houston Tour sweep of the Snead Flight for his first win on the year by another eight stroke advantage over Dwain Smith of Cedar Park, TX.  With the runner up finish, Smith jumped to the Hill Country Summer Series Points lead in the Senior Snead Flight. Soon to be relocated to the Atlantic Coast, Dan OShea of  Copperas Cove, TX matched his 2012 best third place finish from the The Legends of Golf Classic in April.

SKINS: 

Championship /Palmer:  2 -- Brack Blackwood, Granbury, TX; Ron Finnerty, Laredo, TX. 1 -- Chris Daniluck, Boerne, TX; Michael Campbell, New Braunfels, TX; Mark Miller, Bulverde, TX; Scott Williams, College Station, TX; Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan:  1 -- Jeff Blackwood, Midland, TX; Derrick Matthews, Killeen, TX; Philip Mahony, New York, NY; Ariel Donato, Porter, TX; Gregory Stairs, Mansfield, TX.

Sarazen / Senior Sarazen:  2 -- Michael Esquivel, Austin, TX. 1 -- John Wilkie, San Antonio, TX; Homer Turbeville, Austin, TX; Michael Hirsch, Giddings, TX; Richard Huyck, San Antonio, TX.

Jones / Senior Jones:  2 -- Greg Preissinger, Granbury, TX; Lu Cormier, Missouri City, TX. 1 -- Damian Shipley, Corpus Christi, TX; Artis Stewart, Houston, TX; Mike Jones, Midland,TX.

Snead / Senior Snead:  2 -- Alan Brumley, Humble, TX; Dwain Smith, Cedar Park, TX. 1 -- Carlos Cruz, San Antonio, TX; Dan OShea, Copperas Cove, TX.

Next Up:  Hill Country Tour resumes play at the Challenge at the Springs on July 21st and then a break for the Texas Master at Barton Creek.  The Tour then finishes the year at the Tour Championship at TPC San Antonio for a double points event and last chance for National Championship Qualification on August 11th.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas / Hill Country / Oklahoma Tours
405.513.1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com


    

Challenge at Twin Creeks - Humor by Fred Couples

Scott R Chilcutt, Cedar Park, TX (July 2, 2012)  Twin Creeks Country Club and it's championship golf course is a Fred Couples signature design that is a true cart path engineering marvel.  The course, opened in 2003 and was Fred's first in the state of Texas working with co-designer Lee Schmidt.  Traversing up and down the clubhouse cliff side location was just part of the marvel, nestling playable golf holes into the canyons was the true test.  And a test they made it, with a sure sense of humor along with, at times a kinky thought process that brought that test together.

Josue Duprey from Killeen, TX brought home the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Labor Finders.
  

RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Boerne, TX standout, Chris Daniluck carded his fourth win of the season on two birdies to stay clear of Kyle Lewie from Waco, TX.

Palmer Flight:  Scott Williams from College Station, TX was able to stay up by one stroke for his second win on tour.  Always in the mix, Houston tour traveler Dusty Rhodes played the back nine in three over par to fend off Sean Fenton from Fort Worth and Laredo, TX member Ron Finnerty for the second spot.  Finnerty birdied four holes, but followed them up with some "others" to keep him out of contention.

Hogan Flight:  Another second time winner, Paul Wuerdeman from San Antonio, TX went out in two over par to finish three strokes clear of  Jorge Rodriguez from Round Rock, TX and San Antonio member Michael Mathis.  The pair both birdied the 1st, 3rd and 18th holes, but couldn't keep the doubles off the cards to catch Wuerdeman.

Sarazen Flight:  Cedar Park, TX local, Les Costales snatched his first win in his two years on tour by a single stroke over Austin, TX player Michael Esquivel.  Esquivel in his first event since wrist surgery shot +5 on the front to stay ahead of William Dunem from New Braunfels rounding out the top three.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Homer Turbeville from Austin, TX used a driver off the deck to advance his 2nd shot to the fringe that would extend a playoff with Giddings, TX player Michael Hirsch after Hirsch narrowly missed a long birdie putt.  Hirsch then left his tee shot on the par three 11th in a collection area and came up short with his chip to open the door for Turbeville to pick up his first win of his career.  John Rogers from Waco, TX finished two strokes back of the pair for the third spot.

Jones Flight:  Killeen, TX resident Josue Duprey recorded his fourth win on tour this year three strokes clear of Jardel De Andrade of Round Rock, TX.  Newly promoted from the Snead Flight, Xavier Bardy of San Antonio, TX took the show position eleven strokes back of Duprey.

Snead Flight: Cathay McGee a traveling Houston Tour member stayed one stroke clear of San Antonio, TX player Mark Colwell for her second win on the season.  Two strokes back of Colwell, Thomas Kerwin from Pflugerville, TX rounded out the top three.





SKINS:

Championship / Palmer:  3 -- Ron Finnerty, Laredo, TX. 1 -- Matthew Alvers, Pflugerville, TX; Randy Sellers, Lewisville, TX; Chris Daniluck, Boerne, TX.

Hogan:  2 -- Derrick Matthews, Killeen, TX. 1 -- Edward Villasana, Del Valle, TX; Jorge Rodriguez, Round Rock, TX; Paul Wuerdeman, San Antonio, TX.

Sarazen:  3 -- William Dunem, New Braunfels, TX. 2 -- Daniel Mcgrath, Austin ,Tx. 1 -- Les Costales, Cedar Park, TX; George Peddy, Bedford, TX; Michael Esquivel, Austin, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  3 -- Homer Turbeville, Austin, TX. 2 -- Gerald Cato, Bastrop, TX; Michael Hirsch, Giddings, TX. 1 -- Bob Tuttle, Kingsland, TX; Charles Cox, Austin, TX; Gregg Smith, Austin, TX

Jones:  3 -- Josue Duprey, Killeen, TX. 1 -- Joshua Barron, Cedar Park, TX; Mike Jones, Midland,TX; Scott Thompson, Helotes, TX; Thomas West, Giddings, TX; Jardel De Andrade, Round Rock, TX.

Snead:  4 -- Mark Colwell, San Antonio, TX. 2 -- Thomas Kerwin, Pflugerville, TX; Dan OShea, Copperas Cove, TX; Dwain Smith, Cedar Park, TX. 1 -- Richard Schram, Bryan, TX.


Next Up:  Registration Closes on Friday, July 6th for the La Cantera Classic.  Challenge at the Springs will be held on July 21st before the before the Texas Masters at Barton Creek.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
Tour Director
Dallas / Hill Country / Oklahoma Tours
405.513.1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com