Chattanooga, TN – The only thing hotter than the temperature at Council Fire Golf Club this week was the putter of 2010 Tennessee PGA Champion Kip Henley.Henley, a native of Chattanooga and current caddy for PGA Tour Player Brian Gay, conquered the heat and 65 of the top PGA Professionals from the Tennessee Section to the title with a scorching -10 under total.Henley started the day at -6 under after two rounds and got off to a quick start with 3 birdies on the first 6 holes.Henley was challenged by Brian Lackey the East Ridge native and current PGA Teaching Professional at Johnny Warren’s Golf Academy and Brock Shafer the PGA Director of Instruction at Windyke Country Club.After Henley double bogeyed #10 and Lackey eagled #11, these fierce competitors were locked at a three way tie at -7 under until the 16th hole.Henley finished birdie, birdie, birdie on the final three holes to close the door on Lackey and Shafer.Lackey hung tough and had an eagle putt on #18 to try and close the gap, but he had to settle for birdie and a solo second finish.Shafer’s bogey on #18 left him in third place at -6 under.The top 5 finishers earned spots into the 2011 PGA Professional Championship next June in Hershey, Pennsylvania where the top 20 competitors will advance to the 2011 PGA Championship, professional golf’s final major.The final two spots were earned by Chase Brannon (-4 under) from Richland Country Club and Bruce Etter (-2 under)from Chattanooga Golf & Country Club.The staff at Council Fire Golf Club, led by PGA Director of Golf Hunt Gilliland, treated the players to special week at a first class venue.A special thank you to Titleist/Footjoy, Club Car and Mercedes-Benz who served as title sponsors and presenting sponsors Mobile Pro Shop, Tifosi, Sterling Cut Glass and the PGA Tour.
Chattanooga