Auburn, Ala. - The No. 10-ranked Auburn women's golf team received a bid to the NCAA East Region, which will be held at the University of Georgia Golf Course May 8-10, NCAA Women's Golf Committee Chair Nancy Cross announced Monday.
The Tigers, ranked No. 10 in the latest Golfweek poll, are coming off a fourth place finish at the SEC Championship two weeks ago in Louden, Tenn. The Tigers finished off the three-day tournament with a final round 3-over 291.
Senior Margaret Shirley fired a season best 2-under 70 on the final day to tie for fourth, en route to earning her third straight Second-Team All-SEC honor. Freshman Cydney Clanton was voted SEC Freshman of the Year and earned First-Team All-SEC honors, while sophomore Candace Schepperle earned second team honors.
"We are happy to go wherever the NCAA places us," Auburn head coach Kim Evans said. "We are in a very strong East Region, but we are ready to go. We are familiar with the course having played there a few weeks ago and we hope to build off our performance on the last day at SEC's. We are excited about continuing play in the post-season and look forward to finishing up strong in the last two tournaments."
Auburn will face six of the top 20 teams including top seed and No. 2 ranked Duke, No. 4 Florida, No. 8 Georgia, No. 14 Wake Forest, No. 18 Tennessee and No. 20 New Mexico. Georgia will serve as host for the tournament. Auburn is 39-18-1 versus the 20-team field this season and will meet eight teams for the first time.
Central Region competition will be held at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas, and the West Region will take place at the Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Sacramento, Calif. For a complete list of all teams competing at each regional, please visit www.ncaa.com.
The top eight teams in each of the three regions will advance to the NCAA Championship in Albuquerque, N.M., at the University of New Mexico Golf Club, May 20-23.
For live coverage of the East Regional please visit www.golfstat.com or follow daily updates of the Tigers on www.auburntigers.com.
East Regional Teams
1. Duke
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Auburn
5. Wake Forest
6. Tennessee
7. Virginia
8. New Mexico
9. Vanderbilt
10. Louisville
11. South Carolina
12. Furman
13. East Carolina
14. Georgia State
15. Central Florida
16. Missouri
17. North Carolina Wilmington
18. Jacksonville State
19. Charleston Southern
20. Jackson State
Individual Qualifiers
Dori Carter, Mississippi
Emma Degroot, Chattanooga
Paula Hurtado, Florida International
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Alabama Women's Golf Earns Bid to NCAA Central Regional
Tide earn third straight berth to NCAA Regional
Mic Potter has been at the helm of 15 straight regional squads.
April 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama women's golf team earned its third-straight bid to postseason play by being selected to compete at the Central Regional as announced by the NCAA today. The Tide will head to Austin, Texas to play at the University of Texas Golf Course and will start play on May 8.
Since head coach Mic Potter has taken the reigns the Crimson Tide has reached the postseason in each of his three years. The selection is the 10th in school history and the sixth since 2001 for the Tide women. For Potter, the regional berth marks the 15th consecutive appearance by a team under his direction. The Hall of Fame coach has now led a team to a regional bid in each season since the format came into inception in 1993.
Alabama earned a third seed in the regional and will be joined in Austin by No. 1 seed UCLA and No. 2 seed Purdue. The only other SEC squad in the Central Regional is LSU, who checks in at the No. 7 seed.
Last season the Tide finished seventh in the East Regional with a final score of 868 (+4). The finish earned the Tide its third trip to the NCAA Championship in school history and the second consecutive trip under the watch of coach Potter.
The year before, the Tide also competed at the East regional, earning its first NCAA Championship berth since 1987 by finishing in eighth place following a dramatic one-hole playoff victory over Virginia.
Mic Potter has been at the helm of 15 straight regional squads.
April 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama women's golf team earned its third-straight bid to postseason play by being selected to compete at the Central Regional as announced by the NCAA today. The Tide will head to Austin, Texas to play at the University of Texas Golf Course and will start play on May 8.
Since head coach Mic Potter has taken the reigns the Crimson Tide has reached the postseason in each of his three years. The selection is the 10th in school history and the sixth since 2001 for the Tide women. For Potter, the regional berth marks the 15th consecutive appearance by a team under his direction. The Hall of Fame coach has now led a team to a regional bid in each season since the format came into inception in 1993.
Alabama earned a third seed in the regional and will be joined in Austin by No. 1 seed UCLA and No. 2 seed Purdue. The only other SEC squad in the Central Regional is LSU, who checks in at the No. 7 seed.
Last season the Tide finished seventh in the East Regional with a final score of 868 (+4). The finish earned the Tide its third trip to the NCAA Championship in school history and the second consecutive trip under the watch of coach Potter.
The year before, the Tide also competed at the East regional, earning its first NCAA Championship berth since 1987 by finishing in eighth place following a dramatic one-hole playoff victory over Virginia.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ultimate springtime golf fitness tips for "real" golfers
By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.
Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.
Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."
So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:
• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.
Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.
• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.
Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.
• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.
• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?
Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.
• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!
• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.
• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.
So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.
• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.
The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?
• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.
• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.
National Golf Editor
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.
Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.
Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."
So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:
• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.
Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.
• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.
Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.
• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.
• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?
Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.
• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!
• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.
• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.
So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.
• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.
The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?
• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.
• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Ultimate springtime golf fitness tips for "real" golfers
By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.
Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.
Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."
So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:
• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.
Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.
• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.
Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.
• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.
• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?
Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.
• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!
• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.
• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.
So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.
• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.
The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?
• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.
• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.
National Golf Editor
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.
Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.
Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."
So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:
• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.
Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.
• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.
Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.
• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.
• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?
Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.
• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!
• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.
• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.
So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.
• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.
The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?
• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.
• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Valley Landing Golf Course
Valley Landing Golf Course opened last Labor Day weekend. This facility was financed by a bond issue floated by the city of Courtland and is located about 30 minutes west of Decatur in northwest Alabama.
The name came after the city conducted a contest to name the course. Dwight Crow, general manager of the course, explained.
This part of Lawrence County is known as the valley, with the south part of the county known as the mountain. Also this part of north Alabama is known as the Tennessee Valley.
The landing part comes from the airstrip located to the rear of the property. Crop dusters to Lear jets from the the nearby Lockheed Martin facility use this landing strip and thus the name: Valley Landing.
The idea for the golf course started as an item of discussion with the mayor and town council approximately three years ago, Crow said. The back nine is next to an industrial park. The idea was to maybe attract industry and bring traffic out this way. The project was officially approved in April 1999 and work started in June 1999. It took two years to come to fruition.
John Millhouse of Strategic Golf Design designed the course. His company is based in California, but he has some Alabama connections with his family living in Birmingham and he attended Auburn University.
Value for money is paramount at Valley Landing. Most of their play comes from the Shoals area of Northwest Alabama, as well as some from Decatur and surrounding towns. It costs $26 to play in the week, $3 more on weekends. This includes cart, but the flat terrain is very walkable so many people will choose this option. The clubhouse is very functional and a good size, with the driving range conveniently located immediately to the rear of the clubhouse.
The course features tift dwarf bermuda greens, some of which have quite a bit of roll. At 6910 yards from the back tees, it has plenty of length.
Talk about a tale of two nines. The front nine was built on an old cotton farm and is flat and has few distinguishing features. Several man-made ponds provide hazards to be avoided, but you should be able to score quite well on this side, which is also 170 yards shorter than the far more challenging and much more picturesque back nine.
Onto the golf course. An interesting touch is that Nos. 1 and 8 share a double green. The two greens are joined together by a narrow strip of green making for a huge overall surface. The first is a gentle opener, providing a good birdie opportunity.
On the fifth hole you have be more attentive as a crescent-shaped pond cuts into the fairway, particularly near the green on this short par 4. Definitely favor the right half of the fairway here to leave a short iron second to a sloping green.
The sixth provides quite a different look as a huge waste area stretches down the right side of this longer par 4. From the back tee it is hard to determine how much of this waste area to cut off with your tee shot, so aim a little bit more to the left than you might think. From the forward tee the hole plays straighter and thus there is no need to play over the waste area.
No. 8 is a driveable par 4 with a big blow, but look out for the water hazard to the left of the green. It comes even more into play as the lay of the land slopes towards it and it is particularly tricky as it is not entirely visible from the tee. Raised bunkers guard the right half of the fairway, so if you can't fly the ball a long distance in the air just lay up leaving a short second.
Somewhat unusually the nine ends with a par 3. It will be a mid-iron for most players to a large green with a bunker front right. The nine has looped back adjacent to No. 1 tee and you will head back toward the clubhouse and the 10th tee. Immediately it is like you have been transported to a different golf course altogether. Five of the six lowest handicap holes are found on this side, with Nos. 10 and 11 ranked the first and third hardest holes right out of the box.
The tee shot on No. 10 will instantly get your attention. Having played a front nine where accuracy is not terribly important this hole seems even more confining. It has everything a good golf hole should making you think before you swing. Tree-lined, a pond left of the fairway and green, and multiple bunkers make for a challenging par.
Immediately following is the longest par 4 on the course. Without a doubt, the hardest hole out there, No. 11 measures 455 yards from all the way back and demands a long and straight tee shot to have the chance to reach the green in two shots. Tree-lined just like its predecessor, a creek crosses the fairway but this is out off range from the tee. A stern test, you will be delighted to leave this hole with a par.
The good run of holes continues with the par 3 twelfth. Again you will have to think here as water is in play for any ball pulled a little left. Only 150 yards, it will nonetheless claim some victims, especially if the flag is back left bringing the water more and more into play. The small green is angled away from the tee, making it appear to be an even smaller target.
No. 13 is a true three-shot par 5 - being just a shade under 600 yards will see to that. Two well played shots should leave you a short iron third to this beautifully framed green complex, with hardwoods providing a pleasant backdrop beyond the putting surface.
A steady run of holes, played for the most part between mature trees on either side, continues until you reach the final hole.
Quick question. What do most golfers fear above all else on a closing hole? Water to the right, is what I would say as the vast majority of players slice the ball. Well there's water aplenty on No. 18, only a mid-length par 4, but packed with trouble. A water hazard runs down the entire right side of the hole, so the way to play this finisher is to take the water out of play by aiming well left, leaving a second shot across the corner of the water, with also a large bunker left of the large putting surface. Par here will win more bets than it loses, that's for sure.
Valley Landing is what it is - a golf course that won't break the bank for you to play. Fire away on the front nine, respect the much tougher holes on the back nine, and you should post a respectable score. And we all know, there's nothing wrong with that.
Technorati Profile
The name came after the city conducted a contest to name the course. Dwight Crow, general manager of the course, explained.
This part of Lawrence County is known as the valley, with the south part of the county known as the mountain. Also this part of north Alabama is known as the Tennessee Valley.
The landing part comes from the airstrip located to the rear of the property. Crop dusters to Lear jets from the the nearby Lockheed Martin facility use this landing strip and thus the name: Valley Landing.
The idea for the golf course started as an item of discussion with the mayor and town council approximately three years ago, Crow said. The back nine is next to an industrial park. The idea was to maybe attract industry and bring traffic out this way. The project was officially approved in April 1999 and work started in June 1999. It took two years to come to fruition.
John Millhouse of Strategic Golf Design designed the course. His company is based in California, but he has some Alabama connections with his family living in Birmingham and he attended Auburn University.
Value for money is paramount at Valley Landing. Most of their play comes from the Shoals area of Northwest Alabama, as well as some from Decatur and surrounding towns. It costs $26 to play in the week, $3 more on weekends. This includes cart, but the flat terrain is very walkable so many people will choose this option. The clubhouse is very functional and a good size, with the driving range conveniently located immediately to the rear of the clubhouse.
The course features tift dwarf bermuda greens, some of which have quite a bit of roll. At 6910 yards from the back tees, it has plenty of length.
Talk about a tale of two nines. The front nine was built on an old cotton farm and is flat and has few distinguishing features. Several man-made ponds provide hazards to be avoided, but you should be able to score quite well on this side, which is also 170 yards shorter than the far more challenging and much more picturesque back nine.
Onto the golf course. An interesting touch is that Nos. 1 and 8 share a double green. The two greens are joined together by a narrow strip of green making for a huge overall surface. The first is a gentle opener, providing a good birdie opportunity.
On the fifth hole you have be more attentive as a crescent-shaped pond cuts into the fairway, particularly near the green on this short par 4. Definitely favor the right half of the fairway here to leave a short iron second to a sloping green.
The sixth provides quite a different look as a huge waste area stretches down the right side of this longer par 4. From the back tee it is hard to determine how much of this waste area to cut off with your tee shot, so aim a little bit more to the left than you might think. From the forward tee the hole plays straighter and thus there is no need to play over the waste area.
No. 8 is a driveable par 4 with a big blow, but look out for the water hazard to the left of the green. It comes even more into play as the lay of the land slopes towards it and it is particularly tricky as it is not entirely visible from the tee. Raised bunkers guard the right half of the fairway, so if you can't fly the ball a long distance in the air just lay up leaving a short second.
Somewhat unusually the nine ends with a par 3. It will be a mid-iron for most players to a large green with a bunker front right. The nine has looped back adjacent to No. 1 tee and you will head back toward the clubhouse and the 10th tee. Immediately it is like you have been transported to a different golf course altogether. Five of the six lowest handicap holes are found on this side, with Nos. 10 and 11 ranked the first and third hardest holes right out of the box.
The tee shot on No. 10 will instantly get your attention. Having played a front nine where accuracy is not terribly important this hole seems even more confining. It has everything a good golf hole should making you think before you swing. Tree-lined, a pond left of the fairway and green, and multiple bunkers make for a challenging par.
Immediately following is the longest par 4 on the course. Without a doubt, the hardest hole out there, No. 11 measures 455 yards from all the way back and demands a long and straight tee shot to have the chance to reach the green in two shots. Tree-lined just like its predecessor, a creek crosses the fairway but this is out off range from the tee. A stern test, you will be delighted to leave this hole with a par.
The good run of holes continues with the par 3 twelfth. Again you will have to think here as water is in play for any ball pulled a little left. Only 150 yards, it will nonetheless claim some victims, especially if the flag is back left bringing the water more and more into play. The small green is angled away from the tee, making it appear to be an even smaller target.
No. 13 is a true three-shot par 5 - being just a shade under 600 yards will see to that. Two well played shots should leave you a short iron third to this beautifully framed green complex, with hardwoods providing a pleasant backdrop beyond the putting surface.
A steady run of holes, played for the most part between mature trees on either side, continues until you reach the final hole.
Quick question. What do most golfers fear above all else on a closing hole? Water to the right, is what I would say as the vast majority of players slice the ball. Well there's water aplenty on No. 18, only a mid-length par 4, but packed with trouble. A water hazard runs down the entire right side of the hole, so the way to play this finisher is to take the water out of play by aiming well left, leaving a second shot across the corner of the water, with also a large bunker left of the large putting surface. Par here will win more bets than it loses, that's for sure.
Valley Landing is what it is - a golf course that won't break the bank for you to play. Fire away on the front nine, respect the much tougher holes on the back nine, and you should post a respectable score. And we all know, there's nothing wrong with that.
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Immelman’s Steely Nerves Win Masters
Trevor Immelman's swing has been compared to Ben Hogan by one of golf's great players, Gary Player, a three-time Masters Champion.
There is another quality Immelman shares with Hogan that until Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club probably had not received enough attention.
Hogan, also a Masters Champion, was recognized as golf's Wee Ice Mon for his steely nerves. Immelman demonstrated over 72 holes at Augusta National that he has the same kind of determination and cool demeanor.
Immelman shot a final-round 75 Sunday for a 280 total, eight-under-par, and a three-shot victory over four-time Champion Tiger Woods. It is the highest final round score by a winner since Arnold Palmer shot 75 in 1962.
Immelman made it look easy at times, but everybody knows winning the Masters certainly is anything but. He showed resolve and perseverance at every turn. When he needed to hit a key shot or make a clutch putt to ward off challengers, he did. It was quite a display of golf.
Immelman underwent surgery last December 18 to remove a non-cancerous tumor lodged beneath his ribs. He didn't touch a golf club for six weeks and then only was allowed to hit a few pitches and chips.
Now, less than four months later, he is at the pinnacle.
"I made a pretty fast recovery, got back out on tour eager to play, but my game wasn't quite there," he said. "I wasn't happy with the way I was playing. I felt I had to start from zero again. Here I am after missing the cut last week Masters Champion. It's the craziest thing I've ever heard of."
Immelman knew the conditions would be difficult, with a blowing, swirling wind.
"It was a tough day out there," Immelman said. "I knew it was going to be tough out there for us and I knew I had to stick to my game plan, play one shot at a time, and just be tough. I'm proud of myself for doing that.
"This has been the ultimate roller coaster ride and I hate roller coasters."
Two American challengers with six Masters titles between them - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - were poised to challenge Immelman but came up short.
They shot even-par 72 in the final round. Woods was runner-up by three shots; Mickelson finished at 286, six strokes behind the winner.
"I just didn't quite have it this week," Woods said. "I didn't make the putts I needed to make this entire week."
Mickelson, winner in 2004 and 2006, posted three rounds at par or better, including a second-round 68. His inability to play the par 3s with efficiency was costly. He made double-bogey and bogey the final two rounds at the 16th hole. He also had two bogeys each at the par-3 sixth and 12th holes.
"I hit two good shots today and made bogeys on four and 16, putting them in a tough spot and three-putting," Mickelson said. "Another three feet and the ball could have rolled down and I could have had a good opportunity (for birdie) both times. Some of it might have been play but some of it might have just been unfortunate."
Mickelson's most unfortunate break came at the par-5 eighth hole during Saturday's third round. His third shot hit the flagstick and caromed away. Instead of a short birdie putt, he three-putted. His charge had ended and try as he might, there was little he could do in the final round.
"I was hoping to make more of a run than I did," Mickelson said. "But it was a tough day and I felt like I had to fight pretty hard to keep it around par. But I certainly had some chances that could have brought it lower. It just doesn't look like it would have been enough anyway.
"I thought I struck the ball pretty well this week and it's encouraging that playing the majors I'm striking the ball better than probably I ever have. My chipping came around this week. It hasn't been where I wanted it."
Vartan Kupelian is the golf writer at The Detroit News.
There is another quality Immelman shares with Hogan that until Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club probably had not received enough attention.
Hogan, also a Masters Champion, was recognized as golf's Wee Ice Mon for his steely nerves. Immelman demonstrated over 72 holes at Augusta National that he has the same kind of determination and cool demeanor.
Immelman shot a final-round 75 Sunday for a 280 total, eight-under-par, and a three-shot victory over four-time Champion Tiger Woods. It is the highest final round score by a winner since Arnold Palmer shot 75 in 1962.
Immelman made it look easy at times, but everybody knows winning the Masters certainly is anything but. He showed resolve and perseverance at every turn. When he needed to hit a key shot or make a clutch putt to ward off challengers, he did. It was quite a display of golf.
Immelman underwent surgery last December 18 to remove a non-cancerous tumor lodged beneath his ribs. He didn't touch a golf club for six weeks and then only was allowed to hit a few pitches and chips.
Now, less than four months later, he is at the pinnacle.
"I made a pretty fast recovery, got back out on tour eager to play, but my game wasn't quite there," he said. "I wasn't happy with the way I was playing. I felt I had to start from zero again. Here I am after missing the cut last week Masters Champion. It's the craziest thing I've ever heard of."
Immelman knew the conditions would be difficult, with a blowing, swirling wind.
"It was a tough day out there," Immelman said. "I knew it was going to be tough out there for us and I knew I had to stick to my game plan, play one shot at a time, and just be tough. I'm proud of myself for doing that.
"This has been the ultimate roller coaster ride and I hate roller coasters."
Two American challengers with six Masters titles between them - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - were poised to challenge Immelman but came up short.
They shot even-par 72 in the final round. Woods was runner-up by three shots; Mickelson finished at 286, six strokes behind the winner.
"I just didn't quite have it this week," Woods said. "I didn't make the putts I needed to make this entire week."
Mickelson, winner in 2004 and 2006, posted three rounds at par or better, including a second-round 68. His inability to play the par 3s with efficiency was costly. He made double-bogey and bogey the final two rounds at the 16th hole. He also had two bogeys each at the par-3 sixth and 12th holes.
"I hit two good shots today and made bogeys on four and 16, putting them in a tough spot and three-putting," Mickelson said. "Another three feet and the ball could have rolled down and I could have had a good opportunity (for birdie) both times. Some of it might have been play but some of it might have just been unfortunate."
Mickelson's most unfortunate break came at the par-5 eighth hole during Saturday's third round. His third shot hit the flagstick and caromed away. Instead of a short birdie putt, he three-putted. His charge had ended and try as he might, there was little he could do in the final round.
"I was hoping to make more of a run than I did," Mickelson said. "But it was a tough day and I felt like I had to fight pretty hard to keep it around par. But I certainly had some chances that could have brought it lower. It just doesn't look like it would have been enough anyway.
"I thought I struck the ball pretty well this week and it's encouraging that playing the majors I'm striking the ball better than probably I ever have. My chipping came around this week. It hasn't been where I wanted it."
Vartan Kupelian is the golf writer at The Detroit News.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
ASU Women Win Southern Presidential Golf Tournament
Gonzales, LA - The Alabama State men's and women's teams continued their resurgence with strong performances at the Southern University Presidential golf tournaments.
The ASU women, led by Kyla Reay, captured the tournament championship. The men took third place.
Reay won her third tournament of the season, with a two day score of 160.
Devin Crenshaw's 151 led the ASU men. His score also earned All-Tournament honors. Todd Hutchenson and Kyle Demeester each fired 158 over the two days.
The Southern Presidential tournament was held at the Pelican Pointe Golf club in Gonzales, LA.
The teams, coached by Gary Grandison, will compete in the SWAC championships on April 20-22.
WOMEN
1st Alabama State 755
2nd Texas Southern 787
3rd Southern 912
Prairie View 969
Mississippi Valley 1079
MEN
1st Jackson State University 612
2nd Texas Southern University 622
3rd Alabama State University 630
Alabama A&M University 662
Southern University 675
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 689
Alcorn State University 704
Mississippi Valley State University 717Saturday, March 22, 2008
Latest NCAA Men's D1 Rankings
Adjusted Avg.
Division Scoring Drop Versus#
Team *Record Average Score Top 25 Wins@
1 Alabama, U. of 289- 0 71.32 76.99 23- 0 5
2 Georgia, U. of 288- 1 71.35 76.45 19- 1 2
3 UCLA 287- 2 72.24 76.57 13- 2 2
4 Charlotte 286- 3 71.34 75.37 16- 3 4
5 Southern California 285- 4 72.64 76.80 15- 4 1
6 Oklahoma State U. 281- 8 72.64 76.72 13- 6 1
7 Georgia Tech 281- 8 72.09 77.98 11- 8 0
8 Florida, U. of 280- 9 72.67 77.65 14- 9 1
9 Stanford University 280- 9 72.41 76.88 8- 8 1
10 Tennessee, Univ. of 279- 10 72.25 77.01 12-10 2
11 Duke University 278- 11 72.70 76.99 11- 9 1
12 Florida State Univ. 277- 12 73.16 76.94 10-11 2
13 Auburn University 275- 14 71.88 76.17 10- 8 1
14 Wake Forest Univ. 275- 14 72.69 77.66 9-11 1
15 South Carolina 275- 14 72.61 77.51 9-12 1
16 Clemson University 271- 18 72.77 77.51 3-14 0
17 Mississippi, U. of 269- 20 72.50 78.53 4-10 4
18 UCF 269- 20 73.04 78.55 5-18 1
19 Tenn.-Chattanooga 269- 20 71.92 76.40 2-13 2
20 UNLV 269- 20 71.71 75.96 3-13 2
21 Indiana University 268- 21 73.39 77.62 4-13 1
22 UAB 266- 23 72.69 77.87 6-11 1
23 Texas Tech Univ. 266- 23 72.69 77.31 3-15 3
24 Louisville, U. of 265- 24 72.92 77.42 6-10 1
25 Michigan State U. 264- 25 73.64 77.60 3-13 1
Friday, March 14, 2008
Tide Golfers Ranked No. 1 In Golf World Nike Coaches' Poll
TUSCALOOSA – The University of Alabama golf team will try to make it three in a row this weekend when the Crimson Tide, winner of both of its spring tournaments so far, will go for a third straight title at the March 14-16 E-Z-Go Schenkel Invitational. The tournament is in its 29th year. It’s a march that has propelled the Crimson Tide to the No. 1 ranking in the Golf World Nike Coaches Poll released on Wednesday.
Alabama moved from No. 3 to No. 1 in the polls, its second time the Tide has been ranked the nation’s best as it was ranked No. 1 for several weeks in the fall of 2006 through February of 2007. Alabama overtook Georgia for the top spot this week as the Bulldogs move to second. The top 10 also includes, in order, Charlotte, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Southern California, Stanford, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Florida. Auburn is No. 11.
The Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational will be held Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16 at Forest heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga., a par 72 layout. The field includes Alabama, UAB, Auburn, Augusta State, Boston College, Florida, Georgia Southern, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan State, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Carolina State, North Florida, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
“There are some very good teams there, especially from our conference with Florida and Auburn and Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky and LSU,” said Alabama men’s golf coach Jay Seawell. “So you get a chance to see a little bit more of the SEC this week as we get closer to the SEC Championships, so that will be good.”
Among the teams competing who are ranked in the Top 25 are Alabama, which is ranked No. 2 in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings and No. 1 in the Golf World Nike Coaches’ poll, No. 11/No. 11 Auburn, No. 12/No. 10 Florida, No. 15/No. 15 Michigan State, No. 23/No. 23 North Carolina, No. 20/No. 16 South Carolina and No. 8/No. 9 Tennessee.
“It’s a good tournament,” said Seawell. “It’s an older tournament. A fun part of it is that a lot of our (golf) alumni have played in this. We played in it in the 1970’s so it’s one that our alumni can identify with also. It’s a unique tournament. The Phi Mu’s (a sorority) are a sponsor, so there are sororities are out there and the school has been really involved with it for 30 years. It’s nice to be a part of a tournament that has such a good tradition.”
Competing for Alabama, after a qualifier was held for two spots earlier this week, will be Michael Thompson, Mark Harrell, Matthew Swan, Stewart Whitt and Matt Hughes. It is the seventh different lineup Alabama will have used this season in its seven stroke play tournaments. Alabama also played in the Collegiate Match Play championships in the fall with a different mix.
“We’ve played seven tournaments, and we have not played the same lineup. We have not played the same lineup twice yet and we’ve won four tournaments with four different lineups. Now we’re taking our eighth different lineup this week which is good. I think it’s a credit to the players that the guys who haven’t been playing are continuing to work hard and also our depth. But we’re also at a time where we need to start getting a lineup. So after the Schenkel, we’ll take some time and it will become more of a pick system instead of a qualifying system just so we can get a little bit more consistency in our lineups,” said Seawell whose players get five automatic exemptions with individual wins and one exemption for each top 10 individual finish and holds qualifiers for any remaining open spots. “The guys are playing well, so I’m proud of them.. And it’s remarkable the talent we are leaving behind because of how well they are all playing. That’s a great tribute to our depth but also to our players and how hard they are working.”
Alabama has played in six stroke play tournaments this season and has won four of those, including both of its spring tournaments played so far, the February 17-19 John Hayt Intercollegiate at Sawgrass Country Club and the February 29-March 2 Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Mar Beach, Puerto Rico. In the fall it won the Carpet Capital Collegiate in September and its own Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in October. All four of the tournaments featured fields packed with Top 25 ranked teams. Alabama has produced the individual champion in three tournaments this season, Joseph Sykora (-14) at the Topy Cup in Japan, Mark Harrell (-15) at the Jerry Pate, and its latest victor, Matthew Swan (-12) in Puerto Rico.
One more team win this season will set the school record for most team tournament championships. One more individual win will tie the 1974 team for individual titles. Jerry Pate won two championships that year and Alan Pate and Tony Hollifield both also had wins.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
SOUTH ALABAMA MEN’S GOLF TIED IN 15th AT RIO PINAR
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of South Alabama men’s golf team finished day one and 36-holes of the Rio Pinar Invitational tied for 15th place after shooting a 14-over par 590, Monday. Central Florida fired a blazing 15-under par 561 to lead the team portion of the tournament, while Golden Knights golfer Greg Forest is the individual leader at eight-under par 134.
During first round action, senior Jonny Caldwell lit up Rio Pinar Country Club with a three-under par 69. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, the rest of the team could not keep up with Caldwell’s pace. Junior Daniel Burns, sophomore Marc-Etienne Bussieres and freshman Jack Hiluta all carded four-over par 76. Junior Greg Gowen turned in a five-over par 77.
In the second round, Caldwell again turned in a three-under par 69, while Bussieres shot one-over par 73. Daniel Burns carded 74, Gowen shot 77 and Jack Hiluta turned in 81.
“Obviously as a team are very disappointed with the way we played today,” head coach Ben Hannan said. “Tomorrow we have to come out and play some good golf and sneak up on some people.”
Behind Forest in second is teammate Mike Stern (136) and Ian Rochester of Memphis (137). Caldwell is in fourth place with 138, while Paul Apyan (139) from USM is in fifth.
Wichita State (567) is six strokes behind UCF (561) in second place and Ole Miss (570) is nine-strokes back in third. Louisville (573) and Iowa State (574) are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The final round of the Rio Pinar Invitational continues with an 8 a.m. double-tee start, Tuesday. Tournament results can be accessed at usajaguars.com.
T-15 South Alabama 297 – 293 – 590
4 Jonny Caldwell 69 – 69 – 138
T-63 Marc-Etienne Bussieres 76 – 73 – 149
T-66 Daniel Burns 76 – 74 – 150
T-80 Greg Gowen 77 – 77 – 154
T-89 Jack Hiluta 76 – 81 – 157
During first round action, senior Jonny Caldwell lit up Rio Pinar Country Club with a three-under par 69. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, the rest of the team could not keep up with Caldwell’s pace. Junior Daniel Burns, sophomore Marc-Etienne Bussieres and freshman Jack Hiluta all carded four-over par 76. Junior Greg Gowen turned in a five-over par 77.
In the second round, Caldwell again turned in a three-under par 69, while Bussieres shot one-over par 73. Daniel Burns carded 74, Gowen shot 77 and Jack Hiluta turned in 81.
“Obviously as a team are very disappointed with the way we played today,” head coach Ben Hannan said. “Tomorrow we have to come out and play some good golf and sneak up on some people.”
Behind Forest in second is teammate Mike Stern (136) and Ian Rochester of Memphis (137). Caldwell is in fourth place with 138, while Paul Apyan (139) from USM is in fifth.
Wichita State (567) is six strokes behind UCF (561) in second place and Ole Miss (570) is nine-strokes back in third. Louisville (573) and Iowa State (574) are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The final round of the Rio Pinar Invitational continues with an 8 a.m. double-tee start, Tuesday. Tournament results can be accessed at usajaguars.com.
T-15 South Alabama 297 – 293 – 590
4 Jonny Caldwell 69 – 69 – 138
T-63 Marc-Etienne Bussieres 76 – 73 – 149
T-66 Daniel Burns 76 – 74 – 150
T-80 Greg Gowen 77 – 77 – 154
T-89 Jack Hiluta 76 – 81 – 157
Monday, February 25, 2008
Gamecocks golf gets going Monday
For the first time in more than a decade, New Brockton High School has a golf team, and its season starts Monday.
The Gamecocks will travel to the Andalusia Country Club to take on county rival Elba and Andalusia and Charles Henderson.
For Gamecocks head golf coach Brad Smith, the goals for this inaugural season are simple.
"If I can get them on the bus and off the bus, I’ll be doing fine," he said. "I just want to introduce these kids to competitive golf."
And introduce is probably the proper word for half of the golfers on the team.
Only three of the six players have previous tournament experience.
The most experienced is Smith’s son Steven, who competed on the Robert Trent Jones Junior Golf circuit this year. Smith finished second in the 14- and 15-year-old division.
Steven is a freshman.
Junior Michael Redd competed with Enterprise’s team last year, but has since transferred into New Brockton.
Sophomore John Donaldson is the other golfer with experience. Donaldson competed on the junior high level in California.
Brad Smith realizes for the others, golf will be a bit different from what they are used to.
"On the weekend, if you hit it in the bunker, you just pick it up and throw it out, and you don’t count the stroke.This is by the book," he said.
Smith took his team to a recent rules seminar at Highland Oaks Golf Course in Dothan.
The U.S. Golf Association sponsored the seminar.
Despite the players having to pay more attention to the rules, Smith said another objective is to keep the game fun.
The coach said there is no pressure to win a state title or even play for collegiate scholarships this year.
Smith added some players, with additional help, could possibly get a scholarship by the time they graduate.
"(Sophomore) Sawyer (Whittaker) is hitting the ball better than I expected. If he continues to get better, he could have a shot at a small-time college scholarship," Smith said.
In his first year coaching golf, Smith said his coaching philosophy revolves around the short game.
"Most of the strokes are lost on and around the green. If you can chip and putt, you’ll be OK," he said.
Smith said that is why the team will be on the putting surface three of the four days the team practices each week.
The coach said he is proud to have a golf program this year at New Brockton.
"I’m looking forward to it. We’ll keep it alive as long as there is interest in it. I’m hoping it’ll catch on," he said.
Eight people tried out, with six making the team: seniors Colton Bastion and Josh Roberts, Steven Smith, Donaldson, Redd and Whittaker.
Smith knows without parents’ help, the team could not exist.
"Golf is a very expensive sport. I want the team to be self-sufficient, so I charged a $100 fee to come out," he said "Parents are responsible for equipment, shoes and the fee. (They) and the kids made this happen. My hat’s off to them."
New Brockton’s first match is set for a 12:30 p.m. start.
NBHS golf tourney set for April 3
The New Brockton Alumni Association Olen D. Roberson Foundation is sponsoring its fifth annual sgolf tournament Thursday, April 5, at Tartan Pines Golf Club in Enterprise. Registration begins at noon with the tournament starting at 1 p.m. The format is a two-person scramble.
Entry fee is $65 per person (team of two) and includes green fee, cart fee and dinner following prize awards.
Make checks payable to: New Brockton Alumni Association, Inc. For more information, call Sandy Griffin at 894-6570, Esta Underwood at 393-0949, Cheri Clark at 477-3389 or Jerry Goodson at 347-5961. Each golfer receives a bag full of goodies and super door prizes.
Entry fee is $65 per person (team of two) and includes green fee, cart fee and dinner following prize awards.
Make checks payable to: New Brockton Alumni Association, Inc. For more information, call Sandy Griffin at 894-6570, Esta Underwood at 393-0949, Cheri Clark at 477-3389 or Jerry Goodson at 347-5961. Each golfer receives a bag full of goodies and super door prizes.
Hallman elected president of state PGA
Chet Hallman, head golf professional at Gunter’s Landing in Guntersville, was recently elected president of the Alabama Chapter of the Dixie Section PGA. He had just completed a two-year term as vice president and had also served as secretary for two years.
The PGA of America is comprised of 41 sections. The Dixie Section includes Alabama and the Florida panhandle, and its headquarters in Pelham at Balantrae Golf Club.
Hallman has been the head golf professional at Gunter’s Landing for seven years. Previously, he was the director of golf at Cherokee Ridge in Union Grove and the general manager/head pro at Woodland Forrest in Tuscaloosa. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and a member of the Guntersville Rotary Club.
Hallman lives in Arab with his wife, Susan, and children, Lindsey and Tanner.
The PGA of America is comprised of 41 sections. The Dixie Section includes Alabama and the Florida panhandle, and its headquarters in Pelham at Balantrae Golf Club.
Hallman has been the head golf professional at Gunter’s Landing for seven years. Previously, he was the director of golf at Cherokee Ridge in Union Grove and the general manager/head pro at Woodland Forrest in Tuscaloosa. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and a member of the Guntersville Rotary Club.
Hallman lives in Arab with his wife, Susan, and children, Lindsey and Tanner.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Two Tide Golfers Named to Ben Hogan Award Watch List
TUSCALOOSA – One made a trip into the 2007 U.S. Open field and the other was a 2007 U.S. Amateur finalist. And for their success on the golf course, two University of Alabama golfers have been placed on the Watch List for the Ben Hogan Award.
Crimson Tide seniors Mark Harrell of Hazlehurst, Ga. and Michael Thompson of Tucson, Arizona are among the 24 players named Wednesday to the list. The Ben Hogan Award is considered the most prestigious collegiate golf award, presented annually to the top men’s NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or junior college golfer. It takes into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the past 12 months.
Alabama golfer Marten Olander won the Hogan Award in 1993, his senior season with the Crimson Tide. The 1993 All-American graduated from Alabama at the end of that season, putting together a perfect 4.0 GPA in business his senior year, and went on to play professionally in the European PGA. Olander won the 2001 European PGA Hardelot Challenge de France.
Returning PING First-Team All-America selections Billy Horschel of Florida, Southern California’s Jamie Lovemark and Kyle Stanley of Clemson, British Amateur champion Drew Weaver of Virginia Tech and Walker Cup participants Rickie Fowler of Oklahoma State and Wake Forest’s Webb Simpson highlight the list. Others on the 24 player watch list include Florida State’s Jonas Blixt, Ryan Brehm of Michigan State, UCLA’s Kevin Chappell and Lucas Lee, Jonas Enander Hedin and Stefan Wiedergruen of Charlotte, Georgia’s Harris English and Brian Harman, Derek Fathauer of Louisville, Stanford’s Rob Grube, Chesson Hadley and Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech, UNLV’s Seung-su Han, Minnesota’s Clayton Rask, Joel Sjoholm of Georgia State and Sonoma State’s Jarin Todd.
Harrell competed as an amateur in the 2007 U.S. Open and missed the cut in the PGA event by just one stroke, exiting in the same scoring group that sent Phil Mickelson home. Thompson, a 2007 Ping All-American, made it to the finals of the 2007 U.S. Amateur. He is a three-time U.S. Amateur participant. Harrell has competed in the U.S. Amateur the past three straight years, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The Hogan Award semifinalists will be announced on April 16. Three finalists will be named on May 7 and will gather at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas for the May 18 ceremony announcing the winner.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Lady Trojans Struggle In Opener
LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Troy University women’s golf team struggled without one of its top players in the teams’ opening tournament of the spring season.
Playing without sophomore Desirae Zine, who was suffering from a stomach ailment, the Trojans placed 13th in the 16-team field of the Koasati Pines Collegiate Classic at the Koasati Pines Resort near Lake Charles. The annual event is hosted by McNeese State.
The Trojans finished with a three-round score of 991, 127 strokes over par on the 6,203-yard, par-72 layout.
Sun Belt Conference foes Florida International and South Alabama battled to the final hole for the team crown, with the Golden Panthers edging the Jaguars by one stroke at the end. FIU shot a 56-over-par 920 with USA one stroke back at 921.
Two other Sun Belt Conference teams, ULM and Arkansas State, also competed in the event. The Warhawks finished ninth with a score of 962 and ASU placed 12th with a score of 974.
“Our team played the entire tournament as if they were in quicksand,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “They played well in the practice round, and tried hard, but the harder they struggled, the worse it got for them.”
FIU’s Cristina Marin was the individual medalist for the tournament with a total score of 222, good for six-over-par. Her closing round 70 not only sealed her one-shot victory over three other players, it also set a tournament record for low round.
Troy teammates Kaley Branton and Danielle Skipper tied for team honors. Both players shot 247 for the tournament, finishing in a tie for 53rd. Annelies Anderson was one shot back of her teammates and Liz Balkcom was another stroke behind. Sarah Weldon finished with a score of 291.
“You could see them struggling on the course during the tournament,” Terry said. “They have to get over the hump during the next three weeks, before playing in the next event. We have a lot to work on.”
The Trojans will return to action March 2-4 at the USA Lady Jaguar Invitational in Mobile.
Playing without sophomore Desirae Zine, who was suffering from a stomach ailment, the Trojans placed 13th in the 16-team field of the Koasati Pines Collegiate Classic at the Koasati Pines Resort near Lake Charles. The annual event is hosted by McNeese State.
The Trojans finished with a three-round score of 991, 127 strokes over par on the 6,203-yard, par-72 layout.
Sun Belt Conference foes Florida International and South Alabama battled to the final hole for the team crown, with the Golden Panthers edging the Jaguars by one stroke at the end. FIU shot a 56-over-par 920 with USA one stroke back at 921.
Two other Sun Belt Conference teams, ULM and Arkansas State, also competed in the event. The Warhawks finished ninth with a score of 962 and ASU placed 12th with a score of 974.
“Our team played the entire tournament as if they were in quicksand,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “They played well in the practice round, and tried hard, but the harder they struggled, the worse it got for them.”
FIU’s Cristina Marin was the individual medalist for the tournament with a total score of 222, good for six-over-par. Her closing round 70 not only sealed her one-shot victory over three other players, it also set a tournament record for low round.
Troy teammates Kaley Branton and Danielle Skipper tied for team honors. Both players shot 247 for the tournament, finishing in a tie for 53rd. Annelies Anderson was one shot back of her teammates and Liz Balkcom was another stroke behind. Sarah Weldon finished with a score of 291.
“You could see them struggling on the course during the tournament,” Terry said. “They have to get over the hump during the next three weeks, before playing in the next event. We have a lot to work on.”
The Trojans will return to action March 2-4 at the USA Lady Jaguar Invitational in Mobile.
SOUTH ALABAMA'S MEN’S GOLF FINISHES IN FIFTH AT GATOR INVITATIONAL
GAINSVILLE, Fla. – The University of South Alabama men’s golf team finished in fifth place after turning in 851 at the star-studded Sun Trust Gator Invitational, Sunday. The Jaguars (72nd) finished in front of five top-50 teams, including ninth ranked Duke, and near the top with four other top-30 teams.
“Obviously, I am proud of the guys, as the greens were difficult today, but they really closed well,” head coach Ben Hannan said. “The depth of this field shows that we can play with anyone and lets us know that we can play nationally.”
Sophomore Marc-Ettienne Bussieres lead the Jagaurs on the final 18-holes with a scorching three-under par 67. Freshman Jack Hiluta continued his strong play with an even-par 70 as he finished overall with a 209, one-under par. Juniors Daniel Burns and Dan Swomley shot 73 and 78, while senior Jonny Caldwell carded 76.
Florida, ranked 18th in the country, dominated the field with a 20-under par 820 on the way to the team title. The Gators finished 12 strokes ahead of no.15 Florida State (832) and 22 strokes in front of Mississippi State (842). UAB (844) finished in fourth place, while the Jags (851) rounded out the top-five.
“We should have a lot of confidence heading to Orlando so we need to continue to work hard and get better for each tournament this spring,” Hannan added.
South Alabama returns to the course in Orlando, Fla. at the Rio Pinar Invitational, Feb. 24-25.
5 South Alabama 283 – 282 – 286 – 851
T-6 Marc-Ettienne Bussieres 68 – 72 – 67 – 207
T-12 Jack Hiluta 72 – 67 – 70 – 209
T-23 Jonny Caldwell 68 – 69 – 76 - 213
T-57 Daniel Burns 75 – 74 – 73 – 222
70 Dan Swomley 78 – 75 – 78 – 231
“Obviously, I am proud of the guys, as the greens were difficult today, but they really closed well,” head coach Ben Hannan said. “The depth of this field shows that we can play with anyone and lets us know that we can play nationally.”
Sophomore Marc-Ettienne Bussieres lead the Jagaurs on the final 18-holes with a scorching three-under par 67. Freshman Jack Hiluta continued his strong play with an even-par 70 as he finished overall with a 209, one-under par. Juniors Daniel Burns and Dan Swomley shot 73 and 78, while senior Jonny Caldwell carded 76.
Florida, ranked 18th in the country, dominated the field with a 20-under par 820 on the way to the team title. The Gators finished 12 strokes ahead of no.15 Florida State (832) and 22 strokes in front of Mississippi State (842). UAB (844) finished in fourth place, while the Jags (851) rounded out the top-five.
“We should have a lot of confidence heading to Orlando so we need to continue to work hard and get better for each tournament this spring,” Hannan added.
South Alabama returns to the course in Orlando, Fla. at the Rio Pinar Invitational, Feb. 24-25.
5 South Alabama 283 – 282 – 286 – 851
T-6 Marc-Ettienne Bussieres 68 – 72 – 67 – 207
T-12 Jack Hiluta 72 – 67 – 70 – 209
T-23 Jonny Caldwell 68 – 69 – 76 - 213
T-57 Daniel Burns 75 – 74 – 73 – 222
70 Dan Swomley 78 – 75 – 78 – 231
Tigers Return To Action February 20-22 In Wahiawa, Hawaii
The 2007-08 Auburn men's golf team, with six returning lettermen, is off to its best start in 14 seasons with three consecutive top-five finishes followed by a top-10.
Auburn opened the season drenched by heavy showers in a trip to Rocky Face, Ga., for the Carpet Capital Collegiate hosted by Georgia Tech Sept. 14-16. The Tigers (298-287-290--875) finished fourth in a tough field, featuring 12 teams in Golfweek's preseason top-30. Auburn was led by senior Gordon Strother (71-73-73--217), who finished tied for 15th.
"We were in the hunt the entire weekend," said Griffin. "It really helped in giving us something to build on for the rest of the season."
Next for the Tigers was a trip to Birmingham for UAB's Shoal Creek Invitational on Sept. 24-25. After the first two rounds, Auburn (303-282-295--880) was in third place thanks to a brilliant second round team performance of 6-under par.
The Tigers would finish the tournament in third, behind Kizzire (75-68-72--215), who finished 1-under par to tie for fourth, just two shots off the individual lead.
"I'm proud of the way we fought in the Shoal Creek," said Griffin. "Patton had another really great showing."
In two weeks time, Auburn returned to Birmingham for The Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Old Overton Golf Club. With four players carding rounds in the 60s, Auburn (284-266-280--830) shot its lowest team round and lowest team 54-hole score in school history and went on to finish fourth.
Moseley (66-67-68--201) placed fifth individually and broke the school record for low 54-hole shot total with his 201. He also holds the Auburn record for lowest 54-hole score in relation to par (-14), a mark he set at the 2006 John Burns Intercollegiate in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
"It's a really great thing," commented Griffin on the record performance put up by the Tigers. "Jay has both of those records in the books. I can't believe we played that well and didn't finish first. It shows how truly tough the field was."The Tigers concluded the fall season on Oct. 12-14 with The Bank of Tennessee at the Ridges Golf Club. Auburn (287-288-286--861) finished eighth with Moseley (70-70-73--213) again leading all Tigers at 3-under to finish tied for 13th.
"All in all, it was a good fall," said Griffin. "We were productive and got better in some important areas."
It has been a group effort from the Tigers with four different players leading in three major statistical categories. Northcutt leads the team in stokes average with 71.56 per round. Moseley leads in most sub-par rounds with 6, while Strother and Kizzire lead in rounds counted with 10.34/12 (.862).
Auburn finished the fall season ranked 12th nationally in the Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches' Poll after a three week stay in the top 10.
The Tigers return to action Feb. 20-22 at The John Burns Intercollegiate in Wahiawa, Hawaii. It will be their 17th appearance in as many years at the event where the Tigers have found success in the past, finishing first in 1996 and second on three occasions.
No. 2 Ranked Golf Team Heads To Sawgrass to Defend Title
TUSCALOOSA – So far the University of Alabama men’s golf team is two-for-two this season in successfully defending the tournament championships it won last season. This weekend the Crimson Tide will try to make that stat three-for-three when it travels to Pontre Vedra Beach, Fla., and Sawgrass Country Club to defend its 2007 championship at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational.
Competing for Alabama will be Michael Thompson (68.67), Mark Harrell (71.58), Joseph Sykora (72.00), Matt Hughes (71.11) and Matthew Swan (74.67).
Alabama goes into the three-day tournament, which begins with first round play on Sunday, ranked No. 2 in the Golf Week/Sagarin rankings and No. 3 in the Golf World/Nike Coaches’ poll. Jay Seawell’s Crimson Tide team, winner of four tournament championships last season, has already won two tournament championships this season, the Carpet Capital Intercollegiate and the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, two events it won last season as well.
The John Hayt Collegiate Invitational is hosted by the University of North Florida. The 2008 field includes Alabama, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Florida, Georgia State, Indiana, Notre Dame, Pepperdine, South Carolina, Tennessee, UAB, Central Florida, UCLA, North Florida and Vanderbilt.
“The field is strong. You have Charlotte who hasn’t lost yet. They’ve won every tournament they’ve played in,” said Alabama head golf coach Jay Seawell. “We have defended successfully twice this season, which I think is a testament to the players on our team. It’s really hard to defend. We’re looking forward to that opportunity, especially with this field. So if we’re able to go and successfully defend the title against this caliber of field, it will be a good building block for the rest of the semester.”
The Crimson Tide is the tournament’s defending champion, besting the field of 15 on February 20, 2007 by shooting 303-291-287/881.
“It’s always good being the past champion. We know the golf course well. We know the competition. We’ve just got to go out there and be ready to play,” said Alabama senior golfer Mark Harrell who competed, as an amateur in the 2007 U.S. Open and missed the cut by just one stroke. “From the time I got here my freshman year, I’ve seen a gradual change in attitude. We’ve eventually gone from enjoying playing the game to believing we can win. And that’s what we do every day when we go out and practice. We try to get better because we believe we can win. Last year we came close to winning the NCAA Championship, and I think we’ve got a desire to do better this year and have that opportunity again.”
Alabama’s last event was its final fall event, the October 28-30 Callaway Golf Match Play Championships. Its last stroke play event was the October 8-9 Jerry Pate in Birmingham.
“It does feel like it’s been a while,” said Seawell. “You’re always excited about the beginning of the season and at the same time it’s hard to believe it’s already here. It feels like we just started practicing just the other day. But we’re looking forward to it. It’s a great tournament to start in. The golf course is a very good golf course. It’s a great test and the field is one of the top in the country. You’ve got three teams in the top four who are going to be there, so it’s something to look forward to.”
Among the ranked teams are (with the Coaches’ poll listed first), No. 2/No. 3 Charlotte, No. 3/No. 2 Alabama, No. 4/No. 5 UCLA, No. 10/No. 9 Florida, No. 15/No. 20 South Carolina, No. 22/19 Indiana, No. 23/No. 10 Tennessee, and No. 24 Golfweek Central Florida.
“I think being the defending champion puts a little bit more burden upon you because you remember last year, especially since everyone who was on the team basically last year is on this year’s team,” said Seawell. “However it is the first tournament of the year and you go into those with a little bit more excitement and a little less expectation because it is still winter. We’ve only had a few weeks to get ourselves ready. So it’s kind of a balancing act, the pressure and the burden and honor of being the defending champion. But also it’s the beginning of the year and it’s exciting. Our games are just in the beginning stages of getting where we want them to be.”
Alabama returned with its lineup intact from a 2007 team that placed sixth at the NCAA Championships and won four team championships. Thompson played in three of the four fall tournaments and has a 68.67 stroke average going into the spring. He’s finished under par in three of those tournaments. Just days after returning from California and the U.S. Am, he was on a plane bound for Japan with his teammates to open the team’s season. He finished T-3rd at the Topy Cup, shooting 9-under. He finished second at the Carpet Capital at 5-under and T-3rd at the Jerry Pate at 13-under par. Harrell tied for first at a school record 198 (66-64-68) at the Jerry Pate. He competed in all four fall stroke play events and has a 71.58 stroke average going into the spring. Sykora won the Topy Cup at 14-under par (67-66-69/202) and has a 72.00 average to open the spring.
Seawell says last year’s team, that was ranked No. 1 in the nation from late September through February last season, was good, but this year the men have come back perhaps even stronger and certainly more determined.
“I think I saw it immediately after we left the NCAA’s last year. There was a hunger in their eyes,” said Seawell. “They finished sixth and that’s the second-best finish in the history of the school, but I remember looking at every one of them on the flight home and you could see it. They were thinking, ‘Wow. We didn’t accomplish what we wanted to.’ They wanted to get better. So I’ve seen a hunger and an eagerness to improve on what we did last year. To win some championships, a few more regular season and in postseason. Plus I think the development of (2007 U.S. Amateur participant) Matt Hughes has sparked our team into a really competitive team. We have the five guys returning from last year and then Matt also is one of the top players in the country right now. So the competition within all six guys (including NCAA participant Gator Todd) has just made us a better team.”
Alabama’s remaining two spots were determined by a qualifier with Hughes and Swan winning the final spots. Teams vary formulas for picking who competes at tournaments. At Alabama, it’s all determined on the course. If a player wins an individual tournament championship, he gets five exemptions, meaning he automatically gets to play in five tournaments without going through a team qualifier for an open spot. Harrell and Sykora both won tournaments in the fall, so they’ve had exemptions. Each time a player finishes among the top three individuals, he gets one exemption. Thompson has finished among the top three in all his tournaments, so he’s made the team each time.
“That’s the great thing about golf. It’s decided on the golf course,” said Seawell. “We’re going to leave an All-American or an All-Southeastern Conference caliber player at home which is a tribute to the depth of this team.”
The Old Committeeman: After a hard day’s work,
By Warren Belser
The Old Committeeman walked into the XIX Hole and found the golf chairman and the tournament chairman sitting at the octagonal table with papers spread all over it. The O.C. was greeted with this from the golf chairman: “What on earth brings you to the XIX Hole at this late hour?” “I was on my way home after a game at our neighboring club and recalled that I had not posted my score on their computer. While it was on my mind, I decided to stop here to do it,” the O.C. replied. “I also decided to find out who were the walking wounded left in the XIX Hole.” The Golf Chairman replied, “You find these two stalwarts reviewing last year’s golf program with a view to planning this year’s program. And with a little privacy, we decided to have a go at it.” “Have you anything new and exciting in the works?” the O.C. asked. “Nothing new,” replied the Golf Chairman, “But perhaps you have something new to give us.” The O.C. replied, “Yes, I do as a matter of fact. During my drive over, I thought about my match this afternoon, and it reminded me of the weekly matches that my friend’s club holds every Thursday in the late afternoon during daylight savings time. What they do is to reserve at least three starting times beginning at 2 o’clock. Participation in the match is open to any golfing member holding a current USGA handicap. All you have to do is sign up by 1 o’clock, be ready to play by 2 o’clock, and know your current handicap. The format depends on the number of players signed up. All formats are off handicap and are found in the Rules book or the USGA Handicap manual. Moreover, all matches are played according to the Rules and players can choose the tees that they wish to play off. A last condition is that play is at a fast pace. During daylight savings time, there is enough daylight to play a round between 2 o’clock and sundown. However, slow play is not tolerated and it is not part of this outing.” The Tournament Chairman asked the O.C., “Please explain to me, how far does this group really go to play by the Rules? There are degrees of adherence to the Rules, you know.” “They follow the Rules strictly,” replied the O.C. “In other words, there is no playing mulligans off the first tee, no nudging the ball in the middle of the fairway, and no using a putting ball on the green. Any relief taken is taken precisely as the Rules permit. They play as if they were in an AGA championship. Do you have any other questions?” “I have a few,” said the Golf Chairman. “You said that they play at a respectably fast pace. Please comment about that. We have difficulty at this club, as you know, getting members to move it along not only in club events, but in friendly matches as well.” The O.C. replied, “Let me make two comments about pace of play. In my last daylight savings time round at this club, we were twelve players and we played a four-ball match play competition using a nassau scoring with each nine worth one point each and the 18 worth one point as well. The winner was the side with the most points. “They follow match play strictly. There was none of this ready-play procedure because of the important feature of match play that you should have all the possible options before you when you play a shot. You may put your opponent at a disadvantage with your shot first, then it is his challenge. “Moreover, on the green, if my partner makes a score as good or better than I could make with the sinking of my next putt, I would pick my ball up. This speeds up play.
| For handicap purposes, I would record the most likely score that I could make. If I had a four- or five-footer, I would add one stroke to the strokes already taken, but if it was a 10-footer or more, I would add two. “I have given you three examples of how they would play depending on the sign-up number. For other matches, all you have to do is take a look at the Rules book or the handicap manual. My friend has a listing for all the matches off handicap for groups from three players to fifteen. If you want, I will get you one. “One last point to discuss,” said the O.C., “What if it rains?” “The Golf Chairman said, “That is a question that I have been thinking about as you have expanded on all this glory.” The O.C. replied, “If it rains during the round to a point that play is suspended for the day, the match is played as a nine-hole match provided all groups have cleared nine; otherwise, the match is cancelled. “If it is raining at the first tee off time, delaying play, the match would be played as a nine-hole match when play is resumed, provided enough daylight and players are available. Another way to play would be to play a foursome match, if the sign-up was in groups of four and there was daylight of two and a half hours left after the rain. Apparently my friend’s club played two of these matches last year. The first was confronted with the remark that you play foursomes with women and my friend confronted the complainer with my observation, ‘Yes, that is true and foursomes are also played in the Walker Cup and the Ryder Cup matches. Surely, you are mature enough to play that way.’ The second time it was very well received. “In summary, I like everything about it,” the O.C. said. “You play by the Rules, you play off handicap, you play from various tees. It’s open to all members and you get to know other members better. It also provides, as in my case, a chance for members to invite friends from other clubs during the week for a very competitive match. Finally, the match is played during a cooler part of the day. It has something good for everyone. “Now, I have given you a new idea to work on this year,” the O.C. said. “Where is James?” The Golf Chairman replied, “James has locked up and gone home. Before he left, we asked him where you were today. We were told that he had not seen you today. We had wanted to talk to you and you have come in out of the blue and have given us a new idea. For that we say thanks and bid you good night.” “Good night,” said the O. “What we have discussed,” continued the O.C., “is a four-ball match play event, but suppose the sign-up was eleven players. How would they play? I understand that they would play an individual stroke play competition with the sign up fees to be awarded to the top third of the field. You know that handicaps, as organized, do offer each player an equal opportunity to finish in the top 30 percent of the field. “If nine players sign up, I have been told,” continued the O.C., “that they would play in three groups of three. The match would be stroke play off 90 percent of handicap. The usual sign-up draw would be slightly revised with one of the three low handicappers in each group, then mid-handicappers and last the high handicappers. |
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