Second Austin - Nicklaus Open Treats Hill Country

Scott R Chilcutt, Lakeway, TX (June 8, 2013)  Lakeway, TX a resort area on the south shore of Lake Travis, 25 miles west of downtown Austin began as a retirement and second-home community. Flintrock Falls Golf Club is one of four courses at The Hills at Lakeway complex, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II.  Playing the course with native areas as lateral hazards helped. but tight fairways, blind shots and confusing sight lines proved once again a challenge for the second annual Austin - Nicklaus Open.

Burnie Rodgers took home the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving in a score card playoff over Bill Matthews.





RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Richard Perez of San Antonio, TX bounced back from a +7 front nine to shoot even par on the back on two birdies for his second win on tour.  Chris Daniluck of Boerne, TX on break from the tour with the birth of his son, Cameron, birdied the par 4 -14th to get even with Andre van der Post of Port Elizabeth, now residing in Buda, TX to share the second place honors.

Palmer Flight:  Having never seen the course, Jacob Morton of Ft. Hood, TX maneuvered around the layout in even par on the front on two birdies recording his third win on the year and fifth on tour.  One stroke back, San Antonio, TX member Dave Davlin took the runner up finish to stay within 65 points of Morton in the Order of Merit Championship standings.  Tony Eno of Fort Worth, TX birdied the par 5 -18th to slip into the third place spot.

Hogan Flight:  Michael Mathis has won twice on the Am Tour and both wins have come at the Flintrock Falls course.  Mathis, back in San Antonio and back to the tour after a recent deployment carded five birdies on the day to stay one stroke clear of Magnolia, TX resident and Houston Tour Director Jeff Zemencsik.  Zemencsik went out in +3 and parred his last five holes to maintain a five stroke cushion over a pair of players knotted up in the show position.  Derrick Matthews of Killeen, TX birdied the par 3 - 2nd and par 4 -4th to share the third place honors with Leander, TX member Bryan Wood after Wood struggled on the final hole of the day.

Senior Hogan Flight:   Houston Tour member, Bill Mathews and his +1 finish equaled his best score on tour for the first time since 2009.  Matthews, another player to have never seen the course had three birdies on the day for his 17th win on tour, 5th of the year on 86 total events. Terry Dennis of Schertz, TX tied his best finish on his first year on tour in the second spot with recently promoted, Austin, TX resident Homer Turbeville rounding out the top three.

Sarazen Flight:  Ronnie Davis of Converse, TX birdied five holes on the day for his twelfth win on tour and first since his 2011 Major Championship at the Texas Masters at TPC San Antonio.  Five strokes back, first time player Robert Walker of Corpus Christi, TX birdied the par 5 - 16th to record the second place finish, one stroke ahead of Daniel Mcgrath of Austin, TX with his best finish on the year.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Haslet, TX resident and Dallas Tour member Burnie Rodgers brought his easy swing driver to the short and tight layout for his tenth win on tour and first since a self promotion to the Senior Sarazen group.   Houston Tour member Lane McKinney of League City, TX, the winner at the 2012 Austin - Nicklaus Open, started the day with a birdie on the par 4 -1st, but went +9 on the back to split the second place finish with Bastrop, TX player Gene Rampy. Rampy two back going out made up ground on the back nine with six pars.

Jones Flight:  Tom West of Giddings, TX proved once again he doesn't have a problem competing with the younger players.  West, a three time winner on the year, two of those coming when the Jones flight was combined, birdied the par 3 - 6th and par 4 -11th to secure a six stroke cushion over Cedar Park, TX player Joshua Barron.  One stroke back of Barron, David Castillo of San Antonio, TX birdied the par 4 -7th to equal his best finish on the year.

Snead Flight:  Cedar Park, TX member Dwain Smith and Myron Brown of Sommerville, TX  finished regulation play even.  With the course unavailable for a playoff due to darkness, the scorecard playoff went to Smith for his fourth win on tour and second of the year.  Barry Stone, from Del Valle, TX rounded out the top three.


     

SKINS:

Giant:  1 -- Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX; Michael Mathis, San Antonio, TX; Lane McKinney, League City, TX.

Championship / Palmer:  2 -- Mark Greene, Austin, TX. 1 -- Jacob Morton, Ft. Hood, TX; Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX; Chris Daniluck, Boerne, TX.

Hogan:  3 -- Michael Mathis, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Derrick Matthews, Killeen, TX; Demetrio Young, Killeen, TX.

Senior Hogan:  3 -- Bill Mathews, Houston, TX. 1 -- Edward Villasana, Del Valle, TX; Darrell Wilson, Georgetown, TX.

Sarazen:  2 -- Ronnie Davis, Converse, TX. 1 -- John Heintz, San Antonio, TX; Daniel Mcgrath, Austin, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  2 -- Joe Abreo, Bulverde, TX. 1 -- Alfredo Garcia, San Antonio, TX; Gerald Cato, Bastrop, TX; Lane McKinney, League City, TX; Burnie Rodgers, Haslet, TX.

Jones / Snead:  3 -- Tom West, Giddings, TX. 2 -- Mark Loughead, Austin, TX. 1 -- Coy Dayton, Buda, TX; John Scott, Houston, TX; David Castillo, San Antonio, TX; Myron Brown, Somerville, TX; Dwain Smith, Cedar Park, TX.


NEXT UP:

Hill Country Tour returns to "Birthplace of the Senior PGA Tour" at the historic Onion Creek Golf Club for the Legends of Golf Classic on June 23rd.  Registration closes on Friday June, 14th at 11:59PM EST.  

The Dallas Tour members will tee it up next for the Monday July 8th at the Championship at TPC Craig Ranch. The Oklahoma Tour will resume play on July 13th at the Grand Lake Showdown at Patricia Island.

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

Back To Kerrville - Mr. Nelson Open

Scott R Chilcutt, Kerrville, TX (May 11, 2013)  The Mr. Nelson Open, contested at the Riverhill Country Club, took place on the eve of the HP Bryon Nelson Championship to the north at TPC Four Season Las Colinas.  Riverhill, designed by Joe Finger and Bryon Nelson, rolls through the hills south of Kerrville and was once characterized as Mr. Nelson's favorite golf course to play.

Two nights of welcomed rain the area kept players on the cart paths.  Soft conditions, very nice greens that went with some favorable local rules introduced some some record level scoring.  Traveling player Mike Jones of Midland, TX shot a career low round to grab the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving.  




RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  In a controversy filled group, the first foursome on the course contributed to 14 of the 20 birdies in the flight on the day.  Soon to be relocated to the Orlando area, Matthew Brandt of San Antonio, TX carded his second win on the season with a tournament low, three under par 69.  Playing the back nine in five under par, Brandt edged out another San Antonio player Richard Perez by one stroke.  Lynn Cormier visiting from Missouri City, TX rounded out the top three, four strokes back.

Palmer Flight:   Defending Mr. Nelson Open Champ, Todd VanDerSchaegen of San Antonio, TX went directly from his driver's seat to the first tee after getting hung up in a crash near his home.  It only took VanDerSchaegen the first hole to warm up, playing the next seventeen in +3 for a one stroke win over Palm Springs Tour member Daniel Desilets residing in Kermit, TX. Desilets, with birdies on the par 5 -4th and par 4 - 9th held out a three stroke advantage over Dallas Tour travelers,  Gregory Haddon of Rowlett, TX and Brack Blackwood of Grandbury, TX.

Hogan Flight:  Bryan Wood of Leander, TX picked up his twelfth win on tour and third of the year with a six stroke cushion. New Braunfels, TX player Michael Campbell equaled his best finish on tour just two weeks after his National Championship qualification third place finish at the Missouri Valley Championship. One stroke back of Campbell, Tim Haverly of San Antonio, finished in the show position.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Houston Tour member Christopher Phillips of Richmond, TX and back on the tour after a year hiatus, Jimmy Boehm of Round Rock, TX finished their rounds deadlocked.   After a quick jaunt down the first hole for the playoff, Phillips recorded his third win on tour and second in as many attempts after winning the week before at the HOU - High Meadow Ranch "Memorial" . Manuel Estrada of Kyle, TX solidified his best finish on tour one stroke back on two birdies on the day.

Sarazen Flight:   Rene Realme has a knack for getting into playoffs.  Normally it's with good fortune, but in this case after taking a two stroke penalty for playing from the wrong tee he and Arkansas Tour player Kirby Rogers from Muldrow, OK headed back out to formalize the finish.   On the first playoff hole, Realme won his third event of the year, ALL extra hole finishes.  Rogers carded an eagle after holing out from the fairway on the par 4 -3rd and grabbed some skins money.  Ronnie Davis of Converse, TX and Odessa, TX member Joe Luman shared the third place honors.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  The second of two Houston Tour winners on the day, Lee Brunell ran away from the field with a five stroke advantage with the help of birdies on the par 3 - 2nd and par 3 - 7th for his second win on tour both on the 2013 points season.  Richard Huyck of San Antonio, grabbed the runner up finish with Gregg Smith of Austin, TX and Bastrop, TX resident Gene Rampy finishing T-3.

Jones Flight:   Mike Jones of Midland, TX played the first ten holes in two over par to snatch his first win on tour by five strokes over Giddings, TX member Tom West.  West picked up a couple of birdies on his back nine to stay two strokes in front of the pair, James Price of Corpus Christi, TX and Austin, TX member Joe Tyson knotted up in the third place finish.        

Snead Flight:  Oklahoma native Myron Brown now from Somerville, TX became another first time winner on tour.  After sitting out the 2012 season, Brown a four year member edged out Carlos Cruz of San Antonio, TX by a single stroke for the trophy.  Cruz, a winner his last time out stayed clear of Cedar Park, TX member Dwain Smith finishing third for his third time on the year to go with a win and a runner up spot.


SKINS:

Giant Skins:  2 -- Kirby Rogers, Muldrow, OK.  1 -- Richard Perez, San Antonio, TX; Daniel Desilets, Kermit, TX; Tom West, Giddings, TX.

Championship / Palmer:  2 -- Daniel Desilets, Kermit, TX.  1 -- Mark Miller, Bulverde, TX; Tom Newman, San Antonio, TX; Lynn Cormier, Missouri City, TX; Paul Wuerdeman, San Antonio, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan:  1 -- Bryan Wood, Leander, TX; Manuel Estrada, Kyle, TX; Bill Mathews, Houston, TX; Homer Turbeville, Austin, TX.

Sarazen / Senior Sarazen:  2 -- Kirby Rogers, Muldrow, OK; Joe Luman, Odessa, TX. 1 -- Rene Realme, San Antonio, TX; Gregg Smith, Austin, TX.

Jones:  3 -- James Price, Corpus Christi Tx. 2 -- David Castillo, San Antonio, TX; Mike Jones, Midland, TX; Tom West, Giddings, TX.

Snead:  1 -- Myron Brown, Somerville, TX; Mark Colwell, San Antonio, TX; Dwain Smith, Cedar Park, TX.


Next Up:   Hill Country Tour returns to Canyon Springs in San Antonio for the Memorial Championship on May 25th.  Registration closes on Friday, May 17th.  The Dallas Tour members will tee it up next for the Bobcat Open at Texas Star on May 19th.   The Oklahoma Tour will resume play on May 25th at the Broken Arrow Open, registration closes Friday, May 17th.

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

Davlin Champion - Campbell Qualifies

Dave Davlin Champion - Michael Campbell Qualifies Nationals - Missouri Valley Championship

Branson, MO (April 28, 2013)  The annual Golf Channel AM Tour April Major in Missouri returned to Branson, coined as the community that "PUTS THE SHOW IN THE SHOW ME STATE". 

With the clubhouses situated on adjoining hill tops in the Ozark Mountains just south of Branson the John Daly's Murder Rock Golf Club and the Tom Fazio designed Branson Creek Golf Club created two very different challenges.  While rain virtually washed out the practice rounds on Friday, the nearly two inches that fell during the 24 hours changed any tricks that may have been discovered during those rounds anyway.  Overcast and cool mornings, with intermittent showers on Saturday gave way to a semi dry Sunday final round.  Tour players from 17 states and Canada, representing 25 Tours competed for 11 Flight Champion awards and 37 players made their reservations for the National Championship / Senior National Championship events in LaQuinta, CA in late September.

Nearly $1,400 was raised for the  Feherty's Troop First Foundation during the 50/50 drawing.




RESULTS:

Palmer Flight:  After taking a ten during the first round at the par 4 - 8th hole, his 17th of the day, the disappointment was short lived for Dave Davlin of San Antonio, TX when he saw his name on top of the leader board.  Davlin took three strokes off on his second round to pick up his tenth win on tour and second Major Championship by three stokes over a pair knotted up in the second place finish.  Hard charging Chad Schuchmann of Nixa, MO, T12 after round one, shot a course low 74 on day two to snuggle into a runner up tie with Louisville, KY resident Chris Jaggers.

Hogan Flight:  Paired in the second to last pairing of the flight,  Kevin Campbell of Westminister, MD made up an eight stroke deficit after day one for his fourth Major Championship and sixth win on tour.  Campbell, a former AM Tour Director from Baltimore took six strokes off his first day total to hold on to a two stroke win over Lawton, OK runner up, Jeffrey Banner.  The trio of  Joe Deere of Catoosa, OK, New Braunfels, TX member Michael Campbell and Trevor Peck of Shiloh, IL made a fivesome for National Championship qualifications.


Next Up:    Hill Country Tour will be back in Kerrville for the Mr. Nelson Open at Riverhill on May 11th.  REGISTRATION DEADLINE Friday May 3rd. The Dallas Tour members will tee it up next for the Bobcat Open at Texas Star on May 19th.    The Oklahoma Tour will resume play on May 11th at the Valley View Invitational in Farmington, AR.

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

 

 

Devil's Backbone - Battle @ Blanco

Scott R Chilcutt, Blanco, TX  (April 20, 2013)   The scenic drive looping through the Texas Hill Country's Edwards Plateau known as the Devil's Backbone begins and ends just south of Blanco, TX near the Rockin' J Ranch development, home to this year's Battle at Blanco on the Golf Channel Am Tour Texas Hill Country Tour. 

"Vaaler Creek boasts variety and playability between San Antonio and Austin" as seen last year on Golfchannel.com, is far from easy or for that matter easy to find.  One player stated, "do you search for these courses by helicopter?", while a few locals proclaimed, "this is the areas best kept secret".  In reality, no aerial searches or payoffs to locals, but it came to our attention after a round last fall at nearby River Crossing when two of our members highly recommended the layout. 

Beautifully conditioned undulating greens, tight pin placements and breezy conditions proved devilish for the full field of 96 players. Late entry, Tim Haverly of San Antonio, took home the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving.  

RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Richard Perez of San Antonio doubled the par 4 - 14th, but backed it up with four straight pars to force extra holes with fellow San Antonio first year player Matthew Brandt.   On the first hole approach to the green, Brandt injured his hand by an apparent rock lodged under the ball, opening the door to the first win on tour for Perez.  First time tour player Andre van der Post of Buda, TX rounded out the top three.

Palmer Flight:  San Antonio, TX member Dave Davlin  played his final thirteen holes in +1 with a birdie on the par 5 - 8th to get into a playoff with Brack Blackwood of Grandbury, TX.  On the second extra hole, Blackwood finished off the win to pick up his seventh win on tour and first of the year with three players two strokes back.  Craig Hart of Killeen, TX, Randy McGinnis of San Antonio, TX and Coupland, TX resident Chris Wadle shared the third place finish.

Senior Palmer Flight:   Creeping up the leader board with a runner up finish his last time out and a previous third place at the Texas Open at Horseshoe Bay, Robert Lippert of Copperas Cove, TX took home his first trophy on the AM Tour.  Lippert played the back nine in +2 and carded the only birdie of the day on the difficult par 4 - 18th for a four stroke advantage over Frank Davis of San Antonio. Also from San Antonio, Paul Wuerdeman finished in the show position two strokes back of Davis.

Hogan Flight:   Tim Haverly of San Antonio, TX picked up his tenth win on tour and first since the 2011 Fall Season - Event 2 by four strokes in front of a trio tied in the runner up spot.  A flight best +3 on the back nine put San Antonio member Bill Troutz in the three way tie with Michael Campbell of New Braunfels, TX and Derrick Matthews of Killeen, TX.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Liberty Hill, TX first year player Mike Ozga grabbed his first win in two attempts on tour.  Ozga went +1 over the last seven holes to best Houston Tour member Daryl Epperson by one stroke. Runner up Epperson held a two stroke advantage over fellow Houston Tour member Bill Mathews who carded the only birdie on the tough green at #9 and Terry Dennis of Schertz, TX.

Sarazen Flight:  Rene Realme of San Antonio, TX made it two for three in playoffs with a sudden death playoff win with Ronnie Davis of Converse, TX.  Davis made par on the eighteenth hole to help force the tie when Realme tripled the tricky over water par 4.  John Heintz of San Antonio, birdied the par 4 - 7th and followed with an eagle three on the par 5 - 8th to finish three strokes back in the third place position.

Senior Sarazen:  San Antonio resident, Alfredo Garcia took advantage of a birdie on the par 5 - 8th hole to claim his first win on tour.  Two strokes back, traveling Dallas Tour member Rick Allaire held on to tie up the second place finish with Gene Rampy of Bastrop, TX after Rampy parred the final three holes to go with three birdies on the day.

Jones Flight:   Mark Rivera became the third, first time time winner living in San Antonio on the day.  Rivera held on for a two stroke win over Houston Tour traveler Alan Brumley of Atascocita, TX with Austin resident, Charles Cox rounding out the top three.

Snead Flight:  San Antonio player Carlos Cruz became a two time winner on tour.  Cruz the winner at the 2012 Texas Masters at Barton Creek carded eight pars on the day for a seven stroke advantage over Rickie Franklin of Fischer, TX.  One stroke back of Franklin, Mark Colwell of San Antonio and Somerville, TX member Myron Brown shared the third place honors.  
 





SKINS:

Giant Skins:  2 -- Mark Greene, Austin, TX; Robert Lippert, Copperas Cove, TX; Brack Blackwood, Granbury, TX. 1 -- Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX; Joe Benzing, Midland, TX; Bill Mathews, Houston, TX.

Championship / Palmer / Senior Palmer:  3 -- Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX. 2 -- Mark Greene, Austin, TX; Robert Lippert, Copperas Cove, TX; Brack Blackwood, Granbury, TX. 1 -- Randy McGinnis, San Antonio, TX.

Hogan / Senior Hogan:  2 -- Joe Benzing, Midland, TX. 1 -- Christopher Timmerman, Georgetown Texas; Darrell Wilson, Georgetown, TX; Bill Mathews, Houston, TX.

Sarazen / Senior Sarazen:  1 -- John Heintz, San Antonio, TX; Kirby Rogers, Muldrow, OK.

Jones:  1 -- Jerry Thompson, San Antonio, TX; William Speck, Corpus Christi, TX; David Castillo, San Antonio, TX; James Price, Corpus Christi Tx.

Snead:  2 -- Carlos Cruz, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Mark Colwell, San Antonio, TX; Thomas Kerwin, Pflugerville, TX; Ramon Colen, San Antonio, TX.   

Next Up: After a break for the Missouri Valley Championship, The scheduled Dallas / Hill Country Clash has been canceled due to course conditions. The Hill Country Tour will be back in Kerrville for the Mr. Nelson Open at Riverhill on May 11th.   Dallas Tour members will tee it up next for the Bobcat Open at Texas Star on May 19th.  The Oklahoma Tour will resume play on May 11th at the Valley View Invitational in Farmington, AR.

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

RKL Financial Management to Present Hill Country Tour Player of The Year Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RKL Financial Management to Present Hill Country Tour Player of The Year Awards

Hill Country Tour Flight Leaders will be awarded Bridgestone Staff bags at the Tour Championship

Waco, TX (March 28, 2013)  The Hill Country Tour announced today that RKL Financial Management, Waco, TX has joined the tour to present the Player of the Year Awards.  Merit Points leaders in each flight will be presented with a customized Bridgestone Staff bag with the players name and 2013 Flight Champion embroidered on the front pocket.  Awards will be presented after the final 2013 points year event, the Tour Championship @ La Cantera Golf Resort in August.

“Kyle Lewie, the founder of RKL has been a member since October, 2010 and has been a great supporter of the Tour” noted Scott R Chilcutt, Hill Country Tour Director.  Chilcutt continues, “In addition to playing in 20 events during that time, Kyle has referred many players now active on the circuit, not to mention cooking the staff great steak dinners when we have visited Waco.”

“We looked at all aspects of sponsorship possibilities with the Golf Channel Am Tour Hill Country Tour and it was evident that the Player of the Year Award was directly in line with the financial advice to our customers”, stated Lewie.  “Player longevity, diversity of shot making skills and ultimately, performance over the points year is what crowns a Player of the Year and we are proud to support that effort”, added Kyle.

About RKL Financial Management:   After 23 years as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, Kyle Lewie of Waco, TX was bound and determined to find a better way to work for the customer.   With extreme stockholder pressure from the big banks, he was certain that those organizations were working for the stockholders and not the customers.   While even the largest companies must perform for the customer, at the end of the day it’s what shows up in the annual report that matter and RKL has set out to work for the customer success.  RKL Financial launched in the fall of 2012 supported by LPL Financial, Inc. to make the investors money work for financial health and well being.

About Golf Channel AM Tour
Golf Channel Am Tour is managed and operated by Golf Channel.  As the largest amateur golf tour in North America with more than 6,500 members, the Golf Channel Am Tour is open to the public and provides the most professional tournament experience for players of all ages and abilities, as well as offering unparalleled access to some of the most renowned and challenging golf courses across the country. Broken up into 60 local chapters throughout North America, the Golf Channel Am Tour conducts more than 800 local championships and 25 "Major" Championships throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information on the Golf Channel Am Tour and the national championships, visit www.gcamtour.com

 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