Kerrville Championship in the Hill Country of Texas

Scott R Chilcutt, Kerrville, TX (February 20, 2016)    Kerrville, TX is nestled in the Texas Hill Country, just northwest of San Antonio along the Guadalupe River.  Golf Channel AM Tour players from around the state and country traveled to The Club @ Comanche Trace for the Golf Channel AM Tour Kerrville Championship.  

Overcast and drizzle into the morning helped slow hard and fast fairways, off the over seeded schedule of past years, but the day turned to the best weather in the last 6 years.  Smooth bentgrass greens running around 11 on the stimpmeter, challenged players to either get to the right side of the hole, or make some phenomenal putts.

John Pickens (Jones Flight), was "Up for the Srixon Challenge", winning his prospective flight playing a Srixon ball and will get a dozen sent to him for the win. Pickens also went on to win for the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving, with a career low round. 

The winner of the Feherty's Troops First Foundation 50/50 raffle, grabbed $370, bringing the year to date total from the Texas Tours to $1,430 contributed to the Foundation.


RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  San Antonio, TX, player Genaro Davila, carded a couple of bogies on the day, but they were only minor blips on the radar.  Davila, added four birdies and two eagles, including a hole out from off the green on the par 5 - 7th to shoot -6 for his fifth win on tour in eight attempts and second on the season.  Seven strokes back, Ernesto Beyer, of San Antonio, TX, with four birdies on the day and Spring Branch, TX, player Jackson Wolfe carding a birdie on his first hole of the day, split the runner up finish.

Palmer Flight:  Senior Palmer Flight player, Doug Collins of Iraan, TX, became a six time winner on tour in a combined, Palmer / Senior Palmer flight.  Collins, with birdie on the par 4 - 5th added two more on the back at the par 5 - 13th and par 4 - 15th for the win.  Four strokes back,  San Antonio, TX member Oscar Gonzalez, with three birdies on the day, Crystal River, FL, member Wendall Sheffield, with three birdies of his own and Danna Hoover, off the tour since 2010, knotted up the second place finish.

Hogan Flight:  Brian Cox of Killeen, TX, was able to overcome a late charge from New Braunfels, TX, member Michael Campbell, to secure his seventh win on tour.  Cox, with birdies on the par 5 - 4th and par 5 - 11th, made par on the last hole to stay just ahead of a trio of players tied in the runner up finish.  Campbell, with birdie on his final hole of the day, jumped up into the runner up finish with San Antonio, TX, Rene Realme and Anchorage, AK, Hill Country Member, Micah Carroll after both took doubles on 18.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Wimberly, TX, member Little John Hilgers, made the turn with two consecutive birdies on the par 4 - 10th and par 4 - 11th to run away with his twelfth win on tour.  Cuyahoga Falls, OH traveler, Ed Ruper finished in the runner up spot on his own, just three strokes back, one stroke ahead of a pair locked in the show place finish.  With three birdies on his round, Terry Jackson of George West, TX, and Portland, TX resident, Tim VanLandingham, shared the third place finish.

Sarazen Flight:  In the only, extra hole playoff of the day, Carlos Benavides of Crystal City, TX, and Marion, TX, member John Schott, required extra holes to settle the score.  Back to the par 4 - 1st, Schott would overcome a tough start to the hole, to secure his second win on tour and first of the season.  Second time player Ryan Helm of San Antonio, TX, secured his best finish with the third place honors.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Austin, TX standout, Michael Brewer, stayed on a consistent track to pick up his second win on the season, two in a row, sixth on the tour and second at the Comanche Trace track.  Four strokes back, Hawaii Tour transplant, Mervyn Jobe, now from San Antonio, TX, carded the runner up finish with a birdie on the par 4 - 14th with David Day of McClendon-Chisholm, TX, with a birdie of his own on the round, rounding out the top three.

Jones Flight:  John Pickens of Montgomery, TX, shot the round of his career to pick up his second championship on tour.  Pickens, starting on the tenth hole, made birdies on the par 5 - 13th and par 4 - 15th to solidify a big lead making the turn.  Austin, TX, member Joseph Tyson stayed in the hunt, finishing only three strokes out of the win, with Terry Everts, of Eastland, TX, carding a birdie on the par 5 - 4th grabbing the third place finish.

Snead Flight:  First time player Paul Tyus of Shertz, TX, used a birdie on the par 5 - 4th, his thirteenth hole of the day, to command the win by five strokes over a pair of players tied up in second.  Jim Lamberth of The Woodlands, TX with a birdie on the round and Copperas Cove, TX, player Daniel O'Shea shared the second place finish.




SKINS:

Giant Skins:  ($160/each)  2 -- Wendall Sheffield, Crystal River, FL. 1 -- Genaro Davila, San Antonio, TX; Little John Hilgers, Wimberley, TX.

Championship:  ($45/each)  3 -- Genaro Davila, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Mark Miller, Spring Branch, TX; Al Smith, San Angelo, TX.

Palmer:  ($22/each)  3 -- Doug Collins, Iraan, TX. 2 -- Oscar Gonzalez, San Antonio, TX; Wendall Sheffield, Crystal River, FL. 1 -- Fernando Davila, San Antonio, TX; Aaron Brougher, Spring, TX; Danna Hoover, Burnet, TX.

Hogan:  ($50/each)  2 -- Michael Campbell, New Braunfels, TX. 1 -- Rene Realme, San Antonio, TX; Micah Carroll, Anchorage, AK.

Senior Hogan:  ($30/each)  2 -- Little John Hilgers, Wimberley, TX. 1 -- Kirby Rogers, Muldrow, OK; Paul Wuerdeman, San Antonio, TX; Terry Jackson, George West, TX; Steve Wade, Boerne, TX; Jerrod Hoyle, Brenham, TX.

Sarazen / Senior Sarazen:  ($35/each)  3 -- Xavier Bardy, San Antonio, TX. 2 -- Ryan Helm, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- John Schott, Marion, TX; David Day, McClendon-Chisholm, TX; Mervyn Jobe, San Antonio, TX; Charles Sagray, San Antonio, TX.

Jones / Snead:  ($35/each)  2 -- Mark Colwell, Selma, TX; Steve DiPaola, San Antonio, TX; Terry Everts, Eastland, TX; Larry Harper, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- John Pickens, Montgomery, TX.

CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($140/each)  #3 - David Sipe - 4';  #8 - Sean Fenton - 8' 5";  #12 - James McKee  - 6' 9";  #17 - Kevin Turner - 3'.

Upcoming Texas Events:

Hill Country Players travel back to the 2nd best valued courses in the country, rated by Golf Advisor, Delaware Springs, in Burnet, TX for the Classic at the Springs on Sunday, March 6th. Entry deadline, is Friday, February 26th at 11:59 PM EST.

Dallas Tour players open the 2016 calendar year in North Richland Hills, TX at the Iron Horse Open on Sunday February 28th, 2016. 

The Houston Tour continues the season on March 5th for the Sealy Open at River Ridge with the event sold out before closing.  Spots are still available on the waiting list.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

www.gcamtour.com

On The Gulf - Port Aransas Open

Scott R Chilcutt, Port Aransas, TX (January 30, 2016)  Players from around Texas, and beyond gathered on the Gulf Coast for the Port Aransas Open to open the 2016 calendar on the Houston and Hill Country Tours.  Palmilla Beach Golf Club, a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, designed by Arnold Palmer, takes advantage of the rugged wind-swept coastline consistent with links golf, located in Port Aransas.  Port Aransas, the only town established on Mustang Island, one of the longest barrier islands on the Texas Coast is a beach, resort and fishing town. 

Partly cloudy, and warm with breezy winds would make the comfort level on the upper side, but what comfort the weather brought, the course took away. The course, while playing relatively short for the par 71 layout, didn't give up a single eagle. Players garnered 56 birdies for 94 players entered, but OTHERS, won the war.  218 over double bogey, added to another 317 doubles would tell the tale of the tricky layout.

Bruce Beakley (Senior Palmer Flight), was "Up for the Srixon Challenge", winning his prospective flight playing a Srixon ball and will get a dozen sent to him for the win. Beakley also went on to win a scorecard playoff over Nacho Orozco for the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving.  

$290 was raised for the Feherty's Troops First Foundation by the players participating in the 50/50 Raffle

RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  Playing in his first season the the tour and second event, Ernesto Beyer of San Antonio, TX, made his way to the top of the leader board.  Beyer, one back of a couple of players making the turn, turned it on the back nine, with two birdies, one under par to pick up his first win by a stroke.  Spring Branch, TX, member, Mark Miller, made birdie on the par 5 - 10th, but couldn't get anything going to catch up to Beyer and finished one stroke back for the runner up spot.  Hayden Adair, of College Station, TX, rounded out the top three.

Palmer Flight:  Derrick Matthews of Killeen, TX, rebounded from a tough front nine to card, +2 on the back for his eleventh win on tour and first of the season. Houston Tour member, Roger Maskek of Sugar Land, TX, picked up a couple of strokes on the back nine to finish in the runner up spot with Brooke Schlemeyer finishing out the podium finish, equaling her best on tour.

Senior Palmer Flight:  Houston, TX, player Bruce Beakley, went six over par on his first three holes.  Not waiting on things to change, he made the change, a swing change to go one under par over his next fifteen holes.  But three birdies on the back nine would not seal the deal.  Doug Collins of Iraan, TX, had his own troubles on the front nine, but played the back in even par to force a playoff with Beakley.  Back to the par 5 - 10th for sudden death, Beakley prevailed with a par to win his ninth on tour and first of the season.  Bryan, TX, first time player Ricky Napper finished just one stroke out of the win with two birdies on the day.

Hogan Flight:  Terry Jackson of George West, TX, worked it just into his hands for his second win on the season.  Some big strokes on a few holes looked to derail his second Championship, but a birdie on the par 3 - 11th made it happen.  One stroke back, Michael Campbell of New Braunfels, TX, birdied the par 5 - 9th and par 5 - 18th to secure a second place spot with San Antonio, TX, player John Heintz.

Senior Hogan Flight:  Houston, TX, member Arthur Flores, made a statement with his play on Saturday.  Struggling out the gate, Flores played his final thirteen holes in even par with a birdie on the par 3 -17th for his sixth win on tour and first of the season.  Local player, Tim VanLandingham of Portland, TX, struggled with the rest on the front nine, made three birdies on the back at the par 3 - 13th, par 4 - 15th and the par 5 -18th to secure the runner up finish, two strokes back.  Cypress, TX, member, David Anthony, a winner in Florida at the Friday before the TPC Sawgrass Open and a runner up Senior National Championship qualification spot at the Major, rounded out the top three.

Sarazen Flight:  Nacho Orozco of San Antonio, TX, worked the field to a four stroke win with the help of a birdie on the par 4 - 15th. First year player, Gary Hatter of Dripping Springs, TX, followed up a T2 at Sonterra with a second place finish in his own just one stroke ahead of the pair of Katy, TX, member Kristopher Bixby and George Horton, of Houston, TX knotted in the show place finish.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Traveling Dallas Tour member, Tim Brown of Richland Hills, TX, swept the field for his third win on tour with a birdie on the par 3 - 12th for a four stroke advantage. Larry Murphy, of Cypress, TX, took nine strokes off his back nine score for the runner up finish, with Spring, TX, player Gary Gum rounding out the top three.

Jones Flight:  Jeff Gregory of Montgomery, TX, picked up his third win on tour, taking advantage of a birdie on the par 4 - 14th, clearing the field by six strokes. Second time player Carlos Gloria of San Antonio, TX grabbed the runner up finish with, Austin, TX, member Joseph Tyson clearing the top three spot.

Snead Flight:  Houston Tour Member, Jim Lamberth of The Woodlands, TX, commanded his fifth win on tour, playing 10-18 in +6.  Harker Heights, TX, member Marvin Hughes and Mark Colwell from Selma, TX, split the runner up honors.


SKINS:

Giant SKINS: - ($530/each)  1 -- Derrick Matthews, Killeen, TX.

Championship / Palmer:  ($36/each) 1 -- Derrick Matthews, Killeen, TX; Jeff Zemencsik, Magnolia, TX; Oscar Gonzalez, San Antonio, TX; Roger Masek, Sugar Land, TX; Ernesto Beyer, San Antonio, TX.

Senior Palmer:  ($35/each) 3 -- Bruce Beakley, Houston, TX. 1 -- Larry Susen, Austin, TX.

Hogan:  ($25/each)  3 -- Terry Jackson, George West, TX. 1 -- Mike Karlin, Houston, TX; A.J. Englerth, Killeen, TX; John Heintz, San Antonio, TX; Michael Campbell, New Braunfels, TX; Joseph Roy, Rockwall, TX.

Senior Hogan:  ($30/each)  3 -- Tim VanLandingham, Portland, TX. 1 -- Steve Hamilton, Leander, TX; Jeff Shaffer, Spring, TX.

Sarazen:  ($50/each)  2 -- Kristopher Bixby, Katy, TX. 1 -- Nacho Orozco, San Antonio, TX; George Horton, Houston, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  ($33/each)  2 -- Richard Huyck, Live Oak, TX. 1 -- Mervyn Jobe, San Antonio, TX; Tim Brown, Richland Hills, TX; David Day, McClendon-Chisholm, TX; Greg Faubion, Richmond, TX.

Jones:  ($34/each)  2 -- Joseph Tyson, Austin, TX. 1 -- Carlos Gloria, San Antonio, TX; Jay Mills, Austin, TX; Mark Boles, Sealy, TX; Heath Rood, Porter, TX; Jeff Wadsworth, El Campo, TX.

Snead:  ($25/each)  2 -- Miguel Chapa, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Marvin Hughes, Harker Height, TX; Charles Watson, Llano, TX; Gene Hanley, San Antonio, TX; Mark Colwell, Selma, TX; Dan OShea, Copperas Cove, TX.

CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($120/each)  #2 - Terry Bowling - 12' 10";  #6 - Mark Boles - 7' 6 1/2"";  #11 - Terry Jackson  - 5' 1/4";  #13 - Marvin Hughes - 13' 3"".

Upcoming Texas Events:

The Houston Tour starts at the home of the Shell Houston Open for the Golf Club of Houston - Redstone Classic on Saturday, February 13th.  While the event has been sold out for some time waiting list spots are still available.  Registration closes on Friday, February 5th.

Hill Country Players will take on the Kerrville Championship at Comanche Trace on Saturday, February 20th, with an entry deadline of Friday, February 12th.

The Dallas Tour opens the 2016 calendar year in North Richland Hills, TX at the Iron Horse Open on Sunday February 28th, 2016 with an entry deadline of Friday, February 19th.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

www.gcamtour.com

Houston Tour Retains Cup - South Texas Winter Championship

Scott R Chilcutt, New Ulm, TX (December 6, 2015)  Concluding the second of two one day events, The Hill Country Tour hosted the Sunday South Texas Winter Championship finals at The Falls Resort and Golf Club in New Ulm, TX.  

With very similar conditions, you might think that course familiarity would reduce scores on Sunday.  The course actually played almost a 1/2 stroke harder on average.   While course handicaps on the holes held pretty true to form, with the hardest hole, the short par 4 - #7 remaining tough it took some hole positions to change things around.  The Par 3 - #12 played the easiest hole on Saturday and jumped to the eighth hardest on Sunday, with #14 swapping spots. 

Team Championship bragging rights were still in play, with players from each tour pitted against each other based upon Saturday finishes to determine The South Texas Team Championship.   In similar form to the 2014 version, the Houston Tour came out on top for another plate on the traveling trophy.

Mark Miller (Championship Flight), Will Whitley (Senior Hogan Flight) and Kristopher Bixby (Sarazen Flight) were "Up for the Srixon Challenge", winning their prospective flights playing a Srixon ball and will get a dozen sent to them for the win. Carl Eaton won a scorecard playoff over Art Henry for the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving.  

RESULTS:

Championship Flight:  The first of three follow up winners on the weekend, this flight had virtually the same finishes as Saturday.  With a notable birdie on the top three finishers scores cards, they all came on different holes.  Mark Miller of Spring Branch, TX, took one stroke off his Saturday finish to pick up his 23rd win on tour, while Sapulpa, OK traveler, Curt Howard took two off his first round to finish one stroke back.  Rounding out the top three, Damon Garcia of Fannett, TX, dropped a couple of strokes, but still finished in the same spot.

Palmer Flight:  The biggest shake up of the weekend came in the Palmer Flight where the winning score on Saturday would have been a T5 on Sunday.  James Sheppeard, of Tomball, TX, bettered his Sunday round by ten strokes to take home his 22nd win on tour.  Three strokes back, Killeen, TX, member Derrick Matthews, lowered his score by seven to take the runner up finish, while Chris Wadle of Coupland, TX grabbed the third place spot.

Hogan Flight:  Granbury, TX, member Brack Blackwood made the turn both days with a birdie on the first hole of the back, to capture the weekend flight trophies. Brack lost three strokes to the field on Sunday, but it was still plenty to win by two strokes over a pair of players tied in the runner up finish.  Bobby Duty of Midland, TX, with his best finish on tour jumped from the 14th place finish on Saturday and Orange, TX player Matt Purgahn, with a birdie on the par 3 - 8th, came from T6 to T2.

Senior Hogan Flight:  While, Will Whitley of Cypress, TX, took a four stroke hit on his final round, he was still able to muster the sixth win on tour.  With a birdie on the par 5 - 15th, Whitley, finished two strokes clear of a pair of Houston Tour members knotted in the second place finish.  Wharton, TX, first year member Jimmie Chambers started the day with a birdie on the par 5 - 1st and finished as he had on Saturday with a runner up spot, this time sharing the honors with George Smith of Magnolia.

Sarazen Flight:  Kristopher Bixby of Katy, TX, was able to stay with the field on his front nine, got into some trouble on the back, but was able to force a playoff with Kevin Montague of Spring, TX.  With Montague, not available for an on course playoff, Bixby notched his eleventh win on tour.  Houston, TX, player Massimo Passini, the winner on Saturday, carded a birdie, only the second of the weekend on the par 4 - 7th to round out the top three.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Taking nine strokes off his Saturday score, Spring, TX, player Chris Neelley, jumped into the winners circle for the fourth time of his career and first on the points season.  Meanwhile, Rodney Wren of Dallas, TX, and Bridge City, TX, resident, Mark Kirby held true to the Saturday finishes, with a second and third place showing respectively.

Jones Flight:  Traveling Hill Country partners, from the Corpus Christi, TX area, William Speck and James Price couldn't finalize the deal in regulation.  Back to the tough hole position on #10, Price would pick up his sixth win on tour and second of the points season.  For Speck it was his best finish since a promotion from the Snead Flight.  First year player, Richard Lagrone of Spring, TX and Montgomery, TX, member Jeff Gregory, shared the third place finish.

Senior Jones Flight:  The Sunday shake up of finishers continued with the Senior Jones Flight with only one player making the top three both days.  Houston, TX, member Rick Halprin, reduced his score from Saturday by five strokes, just enough for his ninth win on tour.  David Sipe, also from Houston, took four strokes off, with the help of a birdie on the par 3 -16th for the runner up finish with a pair of players two strokes back.  Saturdays winner, Larry Tolson of Fariview, TX, and Huntsville, TX, resident Neil Macdonald, shared the show position finish.

Snead Flight:   Carl Eaton of Conroe, TX, had one of the biggest turn arounds after his Saturday finish.  Taking eleven strokes off his first round, Eaton grabbed his sixth win on tour and second of the season by four strokes.  Victoria, TX, player Art Henry, took ten strokes off his Saturday round to command a four stroke advantage over first year player Michael Pierce of Montgomery, TX, who bettered his round by seven strokes to round out the top three.


TEAM RESULTS:

Houston Tour 13 1/2 - Hill Country - 8 1/2


Roger Masek, HOU v. Oscar Gonzalez, HC - R. Masek Won 1 up

James Sheppeard, HOU v. Chris Wadle, HC - J. Sheppeard Won 2 and 1

Derrick Matthews, HC v. Todd McLane, HOU - D. Matthews Won 3 and 1

Kyle Young, HOU v. John Heintz, HC - K. Young Won 2 and 1

Charlie Dial, HC v. HOU - C. Dial Won 10 and 8

Matt Purgahn, HOU v. Brian Cox, HC - M. Purgahn Won 7 and 5

Will Whitley, HOU v. Steve Wade, HC - W. Whitley Won 2 and 1

Massimo Passini, HOU v. Les Costales, HC - M. Passini Won 5 and 4

Kristopher Bixby, HOU v. C.D. Dunem, HC - K. Bixby Won 5 and 4

John Schott, HC v. Patrick Richardson, HOU - J. Schott Won 2 up

Kendall Hisey, HOU v. Carlos Cruz, HC - K. Hisey Won 5 and 4

Devin Brown, HC v. Judson Severson, HOU - D. Brown Won 3 and 1

Mark Kirby, HOU v. Richard Huyck, HC - M. Kirby Won 2 and 1

William Speck, HC v. Joe Michetti, HOU - W. Speck Won 4 and 2

James Price, HC v. Jeff Wadsworth, HOU - J. Price Won 2 up

Jeff Gregory, HOU v. Daryl Nixon, HC - Match halved

Richard Lagrone, HOU v. Christopher Cobb, HC - R. Lagrone Won 3 and 1

Marcy Glidden, HOU v. HC - M. Glidden Won 2 and 1

Jimmy Clanin, HC v. Mike Murphy, HOU - Match halved

Mark Miller, HC v. Damon Garcia, HOU - M. Miller Won 5 and 3

Robert Jackens, HC v. Travis Nichols, HOU - Match halved

Carl Eaton, HOU v. Gene Hanley, HC - C. Eaton Won 8 and 7



SKINS:

Giant Skins:  ($110/each)  1 -- Curt Howard, Sapulpa, OK; Derrick Matthews, Killeen, TX; Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX; David Sipe, Houston, TX; Matt Purgahn, Orange, TX; Massimo Passini, Houston, TX.

Championship / Palmer:  ($65/each)  1 -- Curt Howard, Sapulpa, OK; Mark Miller, Spring Branch, TX; Damon Garcia, Fannett, TX; Chris Wadle, Coupland , TX.

Hogan:  ($65/each)  2 -- Rick Houchins, Houston, TX. 1 -- Gus Aldana, Spring, TX; Matt Purgahn, Orange, TX.

Senior Hogan:  ($36/each)  1 -- Stephen Lamb, Garland, TX; Manny Martinez, Cisco, TX; Scott Harris, Fort Worth, TX; George Smith, Magnolia, TX; Will Whitley, Cypress, TX; Jimmie Chambers, Wharton, TX.

Sarazen:  ($25/each)  2 -- Kristopher Bixby, Katy, TX. 1 -- Wayne Waldrep, Spring, TX; Judson Severson, College Station, TX; Kendall Hisey, Humble, TX; Carlos Cruz, San Antonio, TX; Massimo Passini, Houston, TX.

Senior Sarazen:  ($40/each)  2 -- Tim Brown, Richland Hills, TX. 1 -- Michael Bell, Pearland, TX; Mark Kirby, Bridge City, TX; Richard Huyck, Live Oak, TX.

Jones / Senior Jones:  ($60/each)  2 -- Rick Halprin, Houston, TX; Jeff Wadsworth, El Campo, TX. 1 -- Terry Collins, Spring, TX; David Sipe, Houston, TX.

Snead:  ($30/each)  2 -- Jimmy Clanin, Pflugerville, TX. 1 -- Art Henry, Victoria, TX; Michael Pierce, Montgomery, TX; Javier Quintero, Houston, TX; Carl Eaton, Conroe, TX.

CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($167/each)  #3 - Chris Wadle - 9' 2 1/2";  #8 - Jimmy Chambers - 13' 1 3/4"";  #12 - Dave Hanson  - 4';  #14 - Michael Pierce - 15' 8"".

Upcoming Texas Events:

Back to action after the New Year:

Hill Country - Houston Tours will travel back to Palmilla Beach Resort for the Port Aransas Open on January 30th, 2016.  Registration closes on Friday, January 22nd.

The Dallas Tour opens the 2016 year in North Richland Hills, TX at the Iron Horse Open on Sunday February 28th, 2016 with an entry deadline of Friday, February 19th.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

www.gcamtour.com

Windy for the Fall Challenge at Sonterra

Scott R Chilcutt, San Antonio, TX ( November 21, 2015)  The Club at Sonterra an exclusive members only facility in North Central San Antonio, played host for the first time to a Golf Channel AM Tour event.  The tricky Robert von Hagge/ Bruce Devlin layout, uses the natural terrain of the area, along with man made waterfalls and plenty of rocks and trees to make for a tough test of patience.  Then add the 40+ MPH northerly gusts that brought with it a cold front and the test didn't get any easier.

Scott Thompson bested the field for the Tournament Champion Trophy, presented by Carlisle's Engraving.


RESULTS:

Championship:   Genero Davila, of San Antonio, TX, picked up where he left off after an injury sidelined him for the Tour Championship in August.  With nothing special going on during the round, Davila, went -1 on his last three holes, with a birdie on the par 4 - 16th to pick up his fourth win in six attempts on tour.  First time San Antonio, TX, player Ernesto Byer birdied the first and last hole of the day to slide into a runner up tie with Mark Miller of Spring Branch, TX.

Palmer Flight:  Dallas, TX, resident, Jeff Blackwood took five strokes off his first nine scores on the back and forced a playoff with Dave Davlin  of San Antonio, TX.   Back to the course for the sudden death, Blackwood would prevail, notching his first win on tour, since the mandatory promotion after his 2014 National Championship in the Hogan Flight. One stroke out of the playoff, Chris Wadle of Coupland, TX, landed the third place honors.

Hogan Flight:  Taking a two stroke lead to the back nine, Brack Blackwood of Granbury, TX, ran into troubles on the back, but the flight followed him, replicating those troubles.  For Blackwood, it was his eleventh win on tour and first since the 2014 season.  One stroke back, Helotes, TX, player, Scott Thompson used a birdie on the par 4 - 12th to finish with a two stroke advantage over a trio tied up in the third place finish.  Rene Realme of San Antonio, TX, New Braunfels, TX, player Michael Campbell with a birdie the par 5 - 1st and Terry Jackson of George West, TX shared the show place finish.

Sarazen Flight:  Starting his second points season on tour, Carlos Benevides of Crystal City, TX, was able to pick up his second win on tour with the help of eight pars on the day.  Five strokes back,  George Peddy of San Antonio, TX, recently self moved from the Senior Sarazen group, tied up the runner up finish with first time Dripping Springs, TX, player Gary Hatter.

Senior Sarazen Flight:  Round Rock, TX, resident Michael Brewer, grabbed his fifth win on tour.  Two strokes back, Charles Sagray took the runner up honors with Spring, TX, traveler, Gary Gum finishing out the top three.

Jones Flight:  After a self promotion to the Jones Flight, Austin, TX, member Christopher Cobb, used his confidence, with the help of a birdie on the par five fifth to card his fifth win on tour.  Three strokes back, Larry Atchley, of Kyle, TX, with a birdie on the par 3 - 14th took home the second place honors, with Corpus Christi, TX, player William Speck rounding out the top three.

Snead Flight:  After the second to last group of the day, left the course because of darkness, the flight was awarded, according to USGA and Tour guidelines on the first nine holes of play.  Taking the championship hardware, his second in as many attempts, by a single stroke was Jimmy Clanin, of Pflugerville, TX.  Llano, TX, member, Charles Watson, carded his best finish in five attempts on tour for the second place prizes, with John Thomas of Victoria, TX, rounding out the top three.


SKINS:

Giant Skins:  ($84/each)  2 -- Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Ernesto Beyer, San Antonio, TX; Joe Wade, Austin, TX; Larry Atchley, Kyle, TX; Joseph Tyson, Austin, TX; Christopher Cobb, Austin, TX.

Championship / Palmer:  ($48/each)  2 -- Ernesto Beyer, San Antonio, TX; Dave Davlin, San Antonio, TX. 1 -- Jeff Blackwood, Dallas, TX.

Hogan:  ($60/each)  1 -- Kenny Mire, Pflugerville, TX; Joe Wade, Austin, TX; Jorge Rodriguez, Round Rock, TX; Michael Campbell, New Braunfels, TX; Mike Karlin, Houston, TX.

Sarazen:  ($75/each)  1 -- Scott Chilcutt, Midlothian, TX; Carlos Benavides, Crystal City, TX; Eric Chavers, Walker, LA; Louis Torres, San Antonio.

Senior Sarazen:  (20/each)  3 -- Joe Abreo, Bulverde, TX. 2 -- John Scott, Houston, TX. 1 -- Richard Huyck, Live Oak, TX; Mervyn Jobe, San Antonio, TX.

Jones / Snead:  ($35/each)  2 -- Bobby Ashcraft, San Antonio, TX; William Speck, Corpus Christi, TX; Larry Atchley, Kyle, TX; Joseph Tyson, Austin, TX; Christopher Cobb, Austin, TX. 1 -- James Price, Portland, TX; Jimmy Gutierrez IV, Helotes, TX.

CLOSEST TO THE HOLE:

($125/each)  #3 - Scott Thompson - 5' 6";  #6 - Rich Huyck - 6' 5 1/2";  #10 - Garrett Tidman  - 7 1/2";  #14 - Larry Atchley - 6".

Upcoming Texas Events:After a Thanksgiving weekend break, more will flock to The Falls in New Ulm, TX, for the two SOLD OUT tournaments in two days at the South Texas Winter Championship on Saturday, December 5th and Sunday December 6th. 

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Director - Texas Tours

Dallas  Tour - Hill Country Tour  - Houston Tour

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467

schilcutt@gcamtour.com

www.gcamtour.com