AMATEURS BUCK THE TREND, REPEAT AS CHAMPIONS
(Franklin) After a decade of trading wins back and forth, the Amateur team reversed the trend and retained the John Deal Cup capturing the 44th Annual SunTrust Tennessee Challenge Cup Matches. The matches, which pit the 16 best amateurs (10 Amateurs & 6 Sr. Amateurs) in the state versus the best 16 Tennessee PGA professionals, was held at Vanderbilt Legends Club (South) over the weekend. In the end the Amateurs raised the trophy after ending the Ryder Cup style matches 18.5 – 13.5.
Saturday began with Four-Ball matches, which were delayed an hour and fifteen minutes due to frost. The Professionals started out quick leading several of the matches early, winning the first two, before the Amateurs rallied to take a session lead of one point (4.5 – 3.5). In the afternoon session of Foursomes (alternate shot) the Amateurs made a strong push to go into the final session with significant lead. By the end of the session, the Amateurs had taken 5.5 points out of 8 to end Saturday with a 10 – 6 lead.
Sunday’s Singles matches started bright and early. It would only be a matter of time however before the Amateurs had clinched the John Deal Cup. Needing only six points to gain at least a tie and retain the cup, the Amateur team secured that goal in the first seven matches. After losing the opening match, the team reeled off six straight victories, with Kevin Watford (Franklin) providing the sixth point with a 6 & 5 victory. Watford was named the Bobby Nichols MVP at the conclusion of the matches, finishing the weekend with a 3-0-0 record.
While the retention of the cup was the goal, the Amateur team wanted to win the overall points and was able to secure that in the eleventh match. After losing three straight matches, Steve McDonald (Nashville) clinched the decisive point, winning his match 4 & 3. The Amateurs would add another point and a half in the remaining matches to reach their 18.5 point total.
The 44th Annual SunTrust Tennessee Challenge Cup Matches are one of the many championships conducted annually by the Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA. For more information on the Tennessee Challenge Cup Matches, please visit www.tncupmatches.com or for more information on the TGA or TPGA, please visit us at www.golfhousetennessee.com.
Complete results below…
Saturday Four-Ball Matches
|
Ams |
versus |
Pros |
|
Spencer Provow & Craig Smith |
2&1 > |
Scott Masters & Scott Moran |
|
Tim Jackson & Steve McDonald |
3&2 > |
Richard Rebne & Chase Brannon |
|
Jeff Golliher & Todd Burgan |
< 2&1 |
Greg Wyatt & Euggie Jones |
|
Kevin Watford & Steve Johnson |
< 1 UP |
Kelvin Burgin & Keith Burdette |
|
Matt Robertson & Scott Kammann |
< 2&1 |
Audie Johnson & Loren Personett |
|
Ron Waters & Tony Green |
Halved |
Bobby Bray & Tom Kammann |
|
Mike Carroll & Jim Brown |
< 2&1 |
Gary Robinson & Rich Spraker |
|
Bob Clark & Buzz Fly |
2&1 > |
Mark Houser & Randy Helton |
Saturday Foursomes Matches
|
Ams |
versus |
Pros |
|
Spencer Provow & Craig Smith |
< 2&1 |
Richard Rebne & Chase Brannon |
|
Tim Jackson & Steve McDonald |
1 UP > |
Scott Masters & Scott Moran |
|
Jeff Golliher & Todd Burgan |
< 1 UP |
Kelvin Burgin & Keith Burdette |
|
Kevin Watford & Steve Johnson |
< 2&1 |
Audie Johnson & Loren Personett |
|
Matt Robertson & Scott Kammann |
< 4&2 |
Greg Wyatt & Euggie Jones |
|
Ron Waters & Tony Green |
Halved |
Gary Robinson & Rich Spraker |
|
Mike Carroll & Jim Brown |
2 UP > |
Mark Houser & Randy Helton |
|
Bob Clark & Buzz Fly |
< 6&5 |
Bobby Bray & Tom Kammann |
Sunday Singles Matches
|
Ams |
versus |
Pros |
|
Tony Green |
3&2 > |
Bobby Bray |
|
Todd Burgan |
< 6&5 |
Audie Johnson |
|
Jeff Golliher |
< 1 UP |
Scott Masters |
|
Spencer Provow |
< 6&5 |
Richard Rebne |
|
Ron Waters |
< 4&2 |
Tom Kammann |
|
Steve Johnson |
< 5&4 |
Chase Brannon |
|
Kevin Watford |
< 6&5 |
Euggie Jones |
|
Buzz Fly |
2&1 > |
Randy Helton |
|
Jim Brown |
2 UP > |
Gary Robinson |
|
Matt Robertson |
6&5 > |
Keith Burdette |
|
Steve McDonald |
< 4&3 |
Greg Wyatt |
|
Mike Carroll |
6&5 > |
Rich Spraker |
|
Scott Kammann |
4&3 > |
Scott Moran |
|
Craig Smith |
< 6&5 |
Kelvin Burgin |
|
Tim Jackson |
Halved |
Loren Personett |
|
Bob Clark |
2 UP > |
Mark Houser |
