Celebrate the New Year!

Happy New Year!

Great things are happening, new schedule, renewed local sponsorship, NEW local sponsorship and a continued effort to make the Oklahoma Tour the best Golf Channel Am Tour area in the country!

On behalf of Loyd Welch and myself, be safe this New Year weekend and we look foward to seeing everyone in 2011!

As always if I can do anything for any of you, please let me know.

Scott R Chilcutt
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
405-513-1467

Swanson takes top honors at Winter Championship

Scott R. Chilcutt, Orlando, FL (December 12, 2010) Oklahoma tour member Al Swanson from Edmond battled the elements and members from around the country to pick up the Championship flight win at the Winter Championships contested at the famed Grand Cypress courses in Orlando this weekend.







For more information:
Scott R Chilcutt
405-513-1467
schilcutt@gcamtour.com

Schedule of Events - National Championship - Senior National Championship

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Events from the GCAT Site - http://www.thegolfchannel.com/amateurtour/national-championship/schedule/

17 Oklahoma Tour Members at the National Championships

Links, Flight Information and Course Rotations for the Oklahoma Tour Players competing at the National Championships!

You'll be able to click on the names / flights below for quick access to the results as they events are contested.

Championship Saturday – Part TWO – Champions Take the Stage

Thirteen Year End Award Presented

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (September 1, 2010) When we took over the tour, Tom Casady, Loyd Welch and myself set out to make the Tour Championship a special event. When the lights were turned down and the trailer was loaded we had already started working on making next year’s event even more special.

But in the end……. It’s only special with the stars of the stage and that’s all the players that took their time to spend days with us!

Ninety Nine different players from 9 states and Canada representing 7 Tours would take that stage on the Oklahoma Tour. Fourteen of those players competed in over 10 Oklahoma events while an astounding thirty nine spent 5 or more weekend days with us.

In the end, 107 trophies and 2 staff golf bags worth over $4,100 along with over $8,400 in Golf Galaxy Gift Cards were shelled out to those performers on the 2010 Oklahoma Golf Tour stage. And we must not forget Labor Finders and David McDaniel, they provided those beautiful Tournament Champion Trophies and customized Callaway Staff bags.

In recognition of the efforts and sacrifices EVERYONE made to play with us this year we will have a continuing account of the struggles and accomplishments of our membership in 2010 during the off season. Here is the first installment to that end with the final recognition of our Championship Saturday Part TWO:

Championship Flight: Al Swanson from Edmond and a graduate of Edmond Memorial a few years after me first joined the Am Tour in late July 2009: ever since has had his guns a blazing. During the 2010 point season Al has played 28 rounds with the tour, including majors at Barton Creek, the Western Invitational and Western Masters, the Hall Of Fame Major in Florida as well as the Western Open and Western Classic back on the west coast. During that time he picked up 6 wins, 16 top 5’s and 19 top 10’s. Swanson amassed 1,640 points for the year and heads to TPC Sawgrass and the National Championship with his sights on the big prize!

Palmer Flight: 37 year old Chickasha native Brook Lister now residing in Tulsa first contacted me before our kickoff event at the KickingBird Challenge. He had been playing with the men’s club and his uncle, Michael Hicks was going to join the tour. He first asked, “Can I play as a guest”? Of course our answer was yes, but if he really wanted to play and compete he should simply join the tour. After further conversation it was apparent that his hesitation resolved around his wife Leslie’s approval. Some short days later and much due diligence on her part, “she read the entire website”, added Lister he joined the tour. Brook went on to play 9 Oklahoma events and one Major in TPC San Antonio, with 2 wins and 8 top 5’s and built up 590 points to take the Palmer Flight Championship. Watch results as Lister also has his sights set on TPC Sawgrass.

Senior Palmer Flight: 10,000+ miles later ( I couldn’t give him credit for the TPC San Antonio event since he flew) , Texhoma, TX Mel Yates a retired school administrator and teacher has reached arguably ½ way to what he set out to accomplish this year, Oklahoma Callaway Point Leader in the Senior Palmer Flight. Yates now moves 1,500 more miles to the east to Ponte Vedra and the Senior National Championship. Mel, a first year player on the tour racked up 6 wins in his 14 events of the year including a National Qualification at only his second tournament by winning the Texas Open at Barton Creek in March. While some player would sit out the rest of the year with that qualification buffer, Yates kept the momentum by traveling and staying sharp with the tour. As many have told me and I've witnessed, “he’s got a great short game”, look out for MR. 10,000+ miler at the Nationals.

Hogan Flight: First year player Chris Blankenship came to the final tournament in 2nd place but finished the Tour Championship ahead of the field. Chris, an attorney from Stigler contacted us at the beginning of the season. “I’ve been playing the O-Tour and want to know what the deal is”, he stated. Eleven Oklahoma Events, five wins and eleven top 5’s and we are sure Blankenship made the most of the move.

Senior Hogan Flight: What can you say about Providence, RI native Bill Copeland’s year but “WOW”? Copeland a Tulsa resident has won more than 50% of his tournaments taking the top spot in 7 of 12 events with his worst finish, a 5th spot, at the DFW tournament at Cowboys in Arlington. Bill takes his Callaway Points Championship to the Nationals with vieing to follow up on Kelly Smith’s 2008 in the Senior Hogan Flight and come back win the “package”. Ranging in scores over the year from 78 to 88 Bill, a member since February of 2008, has been arguably the most consistent player on the tour.

Sarazen Flight: Scott Word from Bethany and I first got close during the Tour Championship at The Territory in Duncan finalizing the 2008 season. Word would try his hand at the 2009 season playing through off season injuries to win the March event at Rose Creek but would opt to sit out the rest of the season. Scott, a postal carrier and Sky Caddie course engineer (you’ve seen the commercials with the guy and the backpack? He’s one of those ….) would emerge into the 2010 season with a renewed vigor for the tour. Playing 7 Oklahoma events he won at WinterCreek and finished the year with 405 points taking the Championship honors.

Senior Sarazen Flight: I first played with Allan Barnett at the Belmar Open in July of 2008. We played Belmar, now referred to as Toby Keith’s “I love this Course” with then guest and now convert Ron Walker. At the time I suspected that Barnett, from Cheyenne a HSE Coordinator with Thru Tubing Solutions was probably not properly flighted: but his Jones designation would hold while he sat out the entire 2009 season. Once he rejoined the tour and won the Texoma Stroke Play / Match Play Kickoff Classic in November of 2009 he finally recognized he should move to the Senior Sarazen Flight. Barnett has 3 wins on the season to go with 3 runner up placing. Allan has already determined he needs to move to Senior Hogan, where some guys from Tahlequah, Edmond and Tulsa’s Bill Copeland will have something to say about his self proclaimed move.

Jones Flight: 31 year old first year tour player Gary Chrisman from Oklahoma City had perfect attendance on the Oklahoma Tour this year. In addition to those 14 events, Gary traveled to the San Antonio, Kansas City and DFW’s tours, adding to those Majors at Payne Stewart and TPC San Antonio. Chrisman won his first event at Patricia Island where he missed out on the Tournament Championship by a score card playoff. Traveling to the Cowboys Golf Club he grabbed the DFW Tour Championship where he won by 6 strokes over his nearest competitor. Already in preparation for the National Championship, Gary has his hands full with twin daughters but makes time to keep his game in order.

Senior Jones Flight: Another of my roommates at the 2008 Tour Championship in Dunkin, Yukon’s Jerry Hardin was one of many Oklahoma Tour players that sat out the 2009 season. Unsure whether we could change things around with the program he renewed with the thought he might get some more of my cooking. I did fail him this year in that respect, but hopefully he’ll let me make it up to him in the off season. Hardin played in 11 events this year, picked up 3 wins, a Tournament Champion Trophy at Bailey Ranch and a couple of runner up spots at WinterCreek and the Oklahoma Tour Championship.

Snead Flight: Bundrick, Bundrick as we call him and I first played together at Patricia Island in 2008. Scott, at the time lived in Miami (Miamah) and was just getting his feet wet with the Amateur Tour. Bundrick now living in the Checotah area with his construction foreman movement sat out the beginning of the 2009 season but would recommit himself in 2010. With 23 rounds under the belt, including majors at Barton Creek, Payne Stewart and TPC San Antonio Bundrick would compile 840 points and 3 wins.

Senior Snead Flight and Senior Player of the Year: Professional Photographer, Graphic Artist and Advertising Exec, Fairview’s K.C. Montgomery is as competitive as they come. A former power lifter at the University of Oklahoma, K.C. has learned that tempering that power and introducing finesse would helped his game. After shedding a bunch of pounds over the winter and working with PGA Professional Steve Ball he started the year with a big bang, winning two of his first 4 events, including Tournament Champion Trophies to commemorate career low rounds. Adding another win at the Edmond Summer Classic, Montgomery got busy with work and family but came back to the Tour Championship with his eye on the prize. “When I stepped up to the 18th tee, I knew what I needed to do”, stated K.C.. “I was nervous and it felt great” he added. After a hectic Labor Day weekend shooting a large horse show in Amarillo, K.C. will get back to the finesse just in time to make a run at the Nationals.

Mid-Am Player of the Year: Just a little over one year after laying his hands on his first golf club, Ryan Cummings, former Moto Cross racer from Stillwater took to completive golf like making a jump on the track. “My work out routine is different than many” states Cummings. “Instead of going to the gym, I get up and head to the range, a few hundred balls later, get a shower and head to work”. He goes on to say, “Then after work I head to the course to get as many holes in as I can before darkness”. While being handicapped by a midyear move to the Sarazen Flight, Cummings had his sights on the Player of the Year Prize with 4 wins and a tournament Champion award to go with 13 top 5’s including the Payne Stewart Major in Branson. Cummings looks to make some noise, on a different type track, at TPC Sawgrass.





From the 1977 Jackson Browne song Load Out:

Now the seats are all empty
Let the roadies take the stage
Pack it up and tear it down
They're the first to come and the last to leave
Working for that minimum wage
They'll set it up in another town

On behalf of the “roadies”, Tom Casady, Loyd Welch and me, we’re ready to “set it up in another town”

For more information:

Scott R Chilcutt
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
405-513-1467

Championship Saturday – Part ONE - Tournament Results

Rescheduled Venue Proves a Great Facility for the Tour Championship

Scott R Chilcutt, Shawnee, OK (August 28, 2010) When we first met with Brad Fulton, PGA Professional at Shawnee Country Club he welcomed us with open arms. Originally scheduled for a spring tournament, Brad would later suggest we delay the tournament since they were in transition with course superintendants and wanted to make sure the course was ready. We opted for the Tour Championship.

Little did any of us know the 100+ degree days would have all the courses in Oklahoma scrambling to keep the Bent Grass alive and smooth? What didn’t change was Shawnees commitment make it a great event, from the staff to the facilities it proved to be a great choice. 22 players took to the course for practice rounds specially set up for tournament members was the beginning of the hospitality that extended to Closest to the Pin sponsorship, all the way to the menu designed for the awards ceremony.

On a day that was 15 degrees cooler than our last event at River Oaks, Brad Cooper picked up his first Tournament Champion trophy, presented by Labor Finders, shooting a net -5 par.

This wasn’t the first time that Cooper was in the hunt for the trophy, he waited around an extended time at The Open @ Coffee Creek in April to find he was locked in a 4 way tie, ultimately losing the glass vase in a score card playoff to G. Bob Fraley. Cooper, in the first group to finish (in 3:40 minutes) watched the updated scoring on the screen as entered from the 13th hole and looked like his wait might have a similar fate. But in the end, that gross 73, net 66 and bettered the field with a 4 shot cushion over Gary Chrisman, the only other player under par with a net 70.

Water, Ice Towels and Spotters

River Oaks Continues to Counter Punch the Oklahoma Weather Opponent

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (August 14, 2010) When I first met with Andy McCormick, PGA Professional and Director of Operations at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond over the winter I was excited that “he would give it a try”.

After all, the Oklahoma Tour had not been into a private golf club for the last couple of years with previous events held at Dornick Hills and BelMar Golf Club. In both of those instances, they didn’t really give us a try, but simply opened the course on a Monday and expected us to bring a large group of participants and were then disappointed by the turnout.

In this case, it was simple, how can we play your golf club and minimize the disruption on your membership? That’s where the 2:00 pm tee times came in, “most of our members will play in the morning, go to the grill for lunch and will be out of here by 2:00”, explained McCormick.

On Friday, Tom, Loyd and I set up a time to play and review the course at 3:30pm. Since that would be approximately our last tee time on Saturday it would give us an idea of the heat and darkness issues we might face.

Heat - no surprises here, it was going to be hot, we arranged for more water and ice towels.

Darkness - It wouldn’t be a problem if we kept to our normal pace of play policies, but we better make sure we have plenty of spotters available. We added Andy Dixon to the committee and would relieve Tom of his interactive scoring duties when we got going for further on course help. The slowest round was 4:42 on a very difficult course with lots of blind shots.

Golf Course - With all of the weather challenges since the record duration of cold temperatures during the winter to the recent scorching high heat it’s apparent that River Oaks Course Superintendent, Tom Dougherty and staff haven’t thrown in the towel but continued to battle the elements. All of the staff from top to bottom made us feel welcome, assisted where necessary and made it an enjoyable venue to work with.

On Course... with Tom Casady - It's what you say that counts!

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (August 11, 2010)  This is different. Short, too. This is a request for participation, and if we can get Scott to keep it up on the front page for a long time, it may be a lot of fun. If you prefer, e-mail me at TC3ofCnC@aol.com, and I will gather your responses and post your comments.

Turn Around or The End of the Trail?

Turn Around or The End of the Trail?
Bailey Ranch Open Recap


Scott R Chilcutt, Owasso, OK (August 7, 2010) Bailey Ranch Golf Club a city of Owasso run facility just northeast of the downtown Tulsa area was deep in the heat on tournament day. Owasso is an Indian word meaning “Turn Around” or “End of the Trail”

The tournament committee raced around the track just a week earlier and while the fairways, that didn’t have winter kill, were getting a little bare the greens rolled pretty well. Consistent 100+ degree temperatures during the last week appeared to have signaled the “End of the Trail” for most all of that bent grass that was present on the previous Saturday.

Player of the Year Points Battle Heats Up!

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (August 6, 2010)   Just when I thought we could order the embroidery for our Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year custom Tour Bags, the battle heats up.

On Course....... with Tom Casady - The Ball, the Argument, and More

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (August 4, 2010)   Eduardo Romero, at the the US Senior Open at Sahalee, WA caused a big flurry of comments regarding a ruling made on the opinion of whether he should be penalized for his ball moving. See some of the many comments and of opinions about the situation - HERE. Based upon this controversy, I wish to state some rules that should help you decide the proper ruling when you find yourself in a like situation.

Antigua Joins Golf Channel Am Tour Sponsors

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (August 4, 2010)  The Golf Channel Am Tour is happy to announce a new Official Partner, Antigua. Antigua has joined the other fine tour sponors as the Official Apparel of the Golf Channel Am Tour for the remainder of 2010 and the 2011 season.  With this partnership members will have the opportunity to access an online Tour Store that will allow the players to choose and purchase logoed apparel.

The Antigua Group, Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of men’s, women’s and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear under the distinctive Antigua label. 2009 marked Antigua’s 30th anniversary serving the accessory and apparel needs of the Golf, Licensed Sports, Corporate and identity Specialty Retail markets. In 2007, the famous Slazenger and Dunlop brands were added to the company’s profile through licensing agreements. Today, the Antigua Group offers these distinctive brands and product offerings under one roof.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
405-513-1467

Fast Pace, Fast Greens, Hot with plenty of Shade Trees

Recap - Edmond Summer Classic
Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (July 25, 2010) Despite the groups of five scheduled into the front of our starting times, players maintained a scorching pace on the 6,700 yard par 70 Kicking Bird Golf Club. The first groups finished in just minutes over 4 hours and even the last groups rallied to the 18th hole in under 4 ½.

Fast greens and great conditions on arguably one of the most played courses in the area gave way to great scoring for those that could stay out of trouble, most notably the trees. While those trees were welcome while waiting to play the shots, they cost a number of strokes for players that found there balls in those areas.

Both Ron Walker from Crescent and Yukon’s Jerry Hardin’s Tournament Champion hopes came down to a scorecard playoff. After the calculations were completed Walker prevailed shooting a season low 82, gross 66 for the hardware presented by Labor Finders.

Player of the Year Points

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (July 22, 2010)   Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year points are updated through the Forest Ridge Classic.

On Course....... with Tom Casady - The Handicap, Day 2, The Process

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (July 21, 2010)  Have you ever wondered, “Why do I have a handicap differential?” Well, the answer is simple, but the process is a little more complicated. The answer is based upon the theory that the best ten (10) scores out of the last twenty (20) scores posted will give the best indication of a player's ability, and the player's handicap differential is the best way to evaluate the best scores. That's simple enough, but what is the process?

SOONER GOES LOW ON THE FIELD AT THE TEXAS MASTERS

Scott R. Chilcutt, San Antonio, TX (July 18, 2010)   On Sunday as the sun set over the JW Marriot San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, the Texas Masters at TPC San Antonio was in the books with a Sooner on top of the over 180 participants.

On Saturday 48 year old Curt Howard from Sapulpa, OK shot a 76 on the very difficult AT&T Oaks Course, the Greg Norman designed home of the PGA 2010 Valero Open.  Following up with a 77 on the equally challenging Pete Dye, AT&T Canyons Course, Curt finished with an 153 - 36 hole total securing the Championship Flight trophy and low two day total for the tournament.

In addition to the Texas Master bragging rights, Howard secured his eligibility for the 2010 Golf Channel Am Tour National Championship at TPC Sawgrass in September.

The Oklahoma contigent also added a National Championship spot for Edmond, OK's Michael Hicks, T3 in the Senior Hogan flight shooting 87-89-176.  First day leader in the Snead Flight, McAlester's Loyd Welch finished in the 2nd spot just missing his third Major Tourmanent win of the year.

Tournament Photo Gallery may be found HERE .

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
405-513-1467

On Course....... with Tom Casady - The Colors are Showing

Tom Casady,  Edmond, OK (July 15, 2010)  Red and yellow colors always show us a meaning: on water, dangerous cargo or sending a request; in a NASCAR event, cease racing or use caution; for nations, China or the Vatican City; and so also in golf, they can only mean one thing – a hazardous situation that needs to be scrutinized, analyzed, mulled over, and picked apart until the best way to lick the problem is solved. So what's all the fuss about?

Texas Masters - TPC San Antonio

Good Luck to the Oklahoma Players at the Texas Masters - TPC San Antonio

Full Screen Click Here

All THINGS - SOUTH CENTRAL

Recap - Forest Ridge Classic

Scott R Chilcutt, Broken Arrow, OK (July 10, 2010) During the morning shadows of The South Central Section PGA offices in Broken Arrow sits the Forest Hill Golf Club. We arrived at the course, much earlier than usual, where we hosted a live remote of the South Central Golf Magazine radio show that airs on the Sports Animal – Tulsa and 97.1FM between 8-9am.


Upon arrival the grounds crew was feverishly setting up water pumps to drain out the pond, aka the driving range. Over 4” of rain for the month and virtually no wind or sun for July had the ground saturated beyond the point of quick relief from the pumps dispersal of standing water.

Despite the disappointment of not have a driving range, the course was under the circumstances, playable and after the torrential rains we have had in the state during the month of July that was in itself a feat of dedication from the grounds crew at Forest Hills.

But the feats of the players were not to be outdone: With cart path only and soft conditions, our first group finished, in less than 4 hours and our last groups were done with play in less than 5 hours and that was commendable. And how about Kelly Smith? Less than a week ago he wasn’t able to walk and with superior medical care and Dr. Craig Phelps, they both joined us for the competition.

Mark Helms from Broken Bow, 210 miles south of Broken Arrow, shot his best round of the year, 82, to take the Tournament Champion Trophy presented by Labor Finders with a net 69 two strokes over previous winner Bill Copeland.

Oklahoma Tour on the Sports Animal Tulsa - Saturday

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (July 8, 2010) The South Central Golf Radio Show plays every Saturday morning on 1550 AM and 97.1 FM at 8-9 A.M and this week the Golf Channel Am Tour - Oklahoma will sponsor the  "live remote" from Forest Ridge.

Dave Stittler from the Tulsa World, Tracy Phillips the Director of Instruction: Buddy Phillips Golf Learning Center at Cedar Ridge Country Club will be joined by Lynn Blevins the Head Golf Coach @ Rogers State University and the head of the Buffalo Golf Group to speak about the latest news on the golf front.  Be sure to listen in on your way to the course!

Road Warriors

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (June 29, 2010) The Oklahoma Tour surpassed the entire 2009 year with rounds played last weekend and it’s obvious that we accomplished that feat with a lot of highway miles.

Prior to embarking on the highways, flyways and waterways for the 4th of July weekend I wanted to recognize all of the Road Warriors that have participated in events from Blanchard to Grove and from Stillwater to Ft. Smith.

While I get a kick out of reporting on Mel Yates' travels and his commitment of time and natural resources to join us, we'd be remiss if we didn't recognize the travels of our members that don't live in the Panhandle, but also rack up the miles.

Grouping the regions, here are the members and what the travel looks like:

Fast and Firm?

Scott R Chilcutt, Blanchard, OK (June 26, 2010) Less than a week after the USGA touted its new “FAST and FIRM” initiative we wondered if Winter Creek Golf Club had a head start on the process when the Tour Committee hit the course on Friday for our normal reconnaissance round. That thought was short lived once we arrived at the first green. On Friday they didn’t have a lot of play before we went out so it seemed that, even though the greens were spongy, they would be very receptive to approach shots and although slow, rolled well.


Saturday would prove to be a little different. The course sold out of carts before our first 11:00 tee time and was an indication of things to come. They called in rentals by a local supplier when we refused to combine our groups into foursomes as demanded by former Oklahoma Tour Director, Larry Merrick who works part time for the course.

While an impending cart disaster was averted, all the play they booked in front of us turned those spongy greens into spongy bumpy greens that proved to be a test of patience.

Apparently not lacking any patience, Texhoma, TX ace Mel Yates fired the tournament low gross round for the 2nd week in a row shooting a 3 over par 75. Mel also won the Tournament Championship Trophy, presented by Labor Finders for the 2nd time in three weeks. James Fowler from Checotah, mentioned “he doesn’t miss any fairways”. When asked how the round was going, Roland Lewis stated “I’m just having fun watching Mel play”.

The Oklahoma Tour, surpassed the entire 2009 year in rounds played with the 7th tournament of the year at Winter Creek.

Howard Qualifies for State Amateur Championship

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (June 25, 2010)   Golf Channel Am Tour Player Curt Howard from Sapulpa qualified for the OGA State Amateur Champsionship throught the Page Belcher qaulifying.  Curt shot a 3 over par 74 to hold on to a T17 rank.  Howard stated, "I played pretty darn good to get my 74" and added "Same fool who shot 82 at Cherokee is going to the show"!

The OGA State Amateur Championship, a match play event, will be contested at Cedar Ridge Country Club July 12th-14th.

Meet the Tournament Committee - Tom Casady

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (June 24, 2010) Tom grew up in the San Francisco Bay area playing guitar in a band and had aspirations of making it big. But Uncle Sam got in the way of his national stage in 1968 and shipped Tom to Okinawa where he and his wife Trish spent the next two years.


After returning from his Army service, Tom enrolled in the Cal State University system; where he would gain bachelor degrees in History and Philosophy and would go on to form a CNC machine shop business. In the early 90’s he would sell that business and relocate to Edmond, OK to be near family.

He has since built Casady ‘n’ Company, a business similar to the one he sold in California, employees 15 people in good times, and designs, creates and manufactures a wide range of very technical products.

But what has Tom done in his spare time? Autocross racing & car rallies in the 1960's, whitewater kayaking and rafting in the 70's & 80's, and rock climbing in the 80's and 90's.

He still enjoys reading, traveling, tennis and obviously golf. After taking up the game in 1973 he co-founded and was a Director of Bay Area Masters Golf Association in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area.

In 2007 I talked Tom and his nephew in trying out the Golf Channel Amateur Tour and they competed at Forest Hills as guests. Tom won his flight but opted to play closer to home and didn’t join the tour.

Finally successful in getting Tom to join the tour during the fall of 2008 he helped me with signage last year and competed in every Oklahoma Tour event winning the Sarazen Flight Championship and barely missed out on player of the year awards.

Tom is Chief Editor of The Revised Lectionary Bible Study, published by Paraklete Press of California, and was actively affiliated with an interdenominational Bible study ministry for 14 years.

Next time you see Tom, I’ll bet you can find something to talk about!



Tom Casady is a member of the Oklahoma Tour Tournament Committee and is a partner with Scott Chilcutt and Loyd Welch in the operation of the Oklahoma Tour. Tom can be reached @ TC3ofCnC@aol.com.

Between a Rock and a Hard Spot

Cherokee Hills Squeezes out the Best

Scott R Chilcutt, Catoosa, OK (June 19, 2010) Nestled between the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the historic ridge to the north lies the Cherokee Hills Golf Club. The course set up for the two day Club Championship had ½ of the pins in very difficult positions and added the battle with winter kill with cart paths only. Combine that with the 82% humidity and 96 degree temperatures and the conditions put the players directly in the middle of a Rock and a Hard Spot.

Ryan Cummings from Stillwater seemed up to the task, firing a career low 75, playing even par on the back nine to take his 2nd Tournament Champion, presented by Labor Finders, trophy. Cummings denied Mel Yates attempt at two in a row by one stroke.

On Course....... with Tom Casady - The Flukes of Hazard (s)

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (June 17, 2010)     Since we are going to be competing at Cherokee Hills this weekend, I thought it might be good to forewarn everyone about a local rule on the scorecard of the golf course: “All native and wooded areas are to be played as lateral hazards”. The following should be kept in mind as we play in our tournament.

Beware, Summer is HERE!

G. Bob Fraley, MD, Edmond OK (June 15, 2010)    I was watching the St Jude, PGA tournament in  Memphis, listening to the announcers talk about the temperature and humidity. I heard about how important it was to keep well hydrated, drinking plenty of water and trying to stay cool. I heard how difficult the conditions were on the golf course relating to the weather instead of the pin placements. I also, noted how many of the pros, caddies, and support people were carrying water to keep hydrated. It was clear the focus was on avoiding a heat related problem.

On Course....... with Tom Casady - The Handicap, Day 1

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (June 11, 2010)  I presently have in my possession a book of 149 pages. It is titled, “The USGA Handicap System”. I thought when I started reading this tomb that it was impossible to have very much to say about a simple number. I found out soon how wrong I was, again!

In the late 1970's, I was a founding member of the Bay Area Master's Golf Club, an associate golf club belonging to the Northern California Golf Association, located on the east side of the San Francisco Bay Area. One of my functions was handicaps, so I went to a class sponsored by the NCGA to learn how to use the handicap system. During the next 10 years, the new, Handicap Index system was coming into use throughout the United States, starting out with a new slope rating for courses and evolving into what we have today. And what took maybe 10 pages of instructions then, now is a book full of charts, rules and formulas. I hope I can help you understand some of it over a series of articles I have titled, “The Handicap, Day (#)”.

Players from Six States and Three Tours Take on Patricia Island Golf Club

Oklahoma Tour takes FIVE out of EIGHT Flight Champion Trophies

Scott R Chilcutt, Grove, OK (June 5, 2010) Players from Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas representing the Arkansas, Kansas City and Oklahoma Tours took to the Patricia Island Estates and Golf Course to vie for the Grand Lake Showdown awards.

Iced towels and plenty of liquids greeted the players to sunny skies, high humidity with temperatures in the 90’s. Despite a few bumpy greens, the course set itself up to some fine scoring with almost ½ the field taking to the tee’s on Friday for a practice round that proved, for some, to be an advantage.

Of those to take advantage of that practice session was first year Oklahoma / Texas Panhandle player Mel Yates. Yates has logged in excess of 5,800 highway miles this year from his Texhoma, TX home to take on the Golf Channel Am Tour competitors. In addition to winning his flight, Mel won the Labor Finders Tournament Championship trophy in a score card playoff with Gary Chrisman from Oklahoma City, OK both shooting net scores of 7 under 65’s. Mel had to get leave shortly after his Flight presentation, in route for an Albuquerque, NM benefit golf tournament on Monday.

On Course ....... with Tom Casady - Etiquette

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (May 27, 2010)   Consideration is a matter of character and style; but mostly, it's a matter of politeness conveyed from one person, or group, to another. And that's what this game is all about. That's why it's still called, “a gentleman's game”.


I remember playing at a small nine hole course in San Leandro, CA, when a threesome asked to play through. Being in no hurry, we stood back and watched in horror as the woman went up to the ladies tee box and hit her ball at the same time her husband hit his ball over her head from the men's tee box. I have never forgotten the sight of this strange lack of consideration for the safety of another - and his wife, to boot!

Recap - Payne Stewart Classic - 2010

Scott R. Chilcutt, Branson, MO (May 23, 2010) TPC Sawgrass and National Championship qualification was on everyone’s mind when they arrived at the Payne Stewart Classic on Friday, May 21st.   Many of our Oklahoma group set out on practice rounds trying to get a feel for the Chuck Smith, Bobby Clampett design.

Beautiful weather, tough thick roughs and excellent competition landed 5 Oklahoma Players with National qualifications.

Oklahoma Tour Invades the "Live Music Capital of the World"

24 Tour Members Travel to Branson, Mo for The Classic at Payne Stewart Golf Club!

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (May 18, 2010)   Branson, MO. the self proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" is host to the final Spring Major of the Golf Channel Am Tour at the new Payne Stewart Golf Club.

Vying for double points, a double prize fund and an automatic qualification to the National Championship for the top 3 in each flight at TPC Sawgrass in September 2010 check out a preview of the Oklahoma Tour Players making the trek by clicking "READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP".

Ball in a Box!

On Course... with Tom Casady

Now that we have been out on the course a few time together, I thought it would be a good idea to address some of the interesting occurrences I have observed or heard about from members of our group, and 27 year old Austin Case  from Edmond, provides just what this tour needs: a funny, yet complicated, situation.

Austin is our newest Oklahoma Tour member playing in the Hogan Flight. During the Bixby Classic at White Hawk this last weekend, he choose to demonstrate how easy it is to hit into a hazard, saving his expertise for the end of the 18th hole. Into the willows he went, and upon inspection, found his ball resting in an overturned empty golf ball box top nestled between the reeds to the front of the 18th green.

www – Wind, Winter-kill, Winners

www – Wind, Winter-kill, Winners

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (May 8, 2010) While Al Gore may have arguably “created the internet”, he surely has no answer for the Oklahoma Tours version of WWW.

Wind – Tahlequah’s Mike Johnson asked me after the round, “will we ever play a round without wind”? For the record I’ve spent 9 days on the course this year, including the Majors at Barton Creek and TPC Deere Run and have had only 1 day without 15+mph. So while I’m currently 1-9, the odd’s have got to be for a few good days coming our way.

Winter-kill – Tulsa golf courses certainly took a beating over the winter with the cold weather, the spring has not helped with the sustained warmth needed for Bermuda grass to start the germination process. Our next event is in Grove on June 5th and they report NO winter-kill, so hopefully by the time we get to Cherokee Hills on June 19th they will have had a rebound of the fairways.

Winners - With the exception of Stigler’s, Chris Blankenship, who took home the Hogan Flight honors all the other winners have been multiple podium finishes this year. Curt Howard, Sapulpa, two in a row in the Championship Flight. Tulsa’s Roland Lewis has three Oklahoma Events in a row and all of the local events he’s played in. Bill Copeland, from Tulsa also has three in a row and all the Oklahoma events he participated in and Fairview’s, K.C Montgomery is two for three events winning the Tournament Champion, presented by Labor Finders in both of those victories.

Tour Flighting - Move UP is Automatic - Move DOWN is at your Request!

While the tour player handbook explains the flight assignments and the policies related, we've had a number of players ask "how it works"?

You've ended up in one of the flights below using the best available verifiable information:

But how can / do you get re-flighted?

Players will be re-flighted throughout the season when/if their indexes change as of the revision dates, January 5th and then every 2nd of every month.

Bixby Classic - Pairings / Tee Times Set

You can find your pairings and tee times HERE for the Bixby Classic at WhiteHawk on Saturday, May 8th.  Please be sure to report 1 hour prior to your tee time.  Look forward to seeing everyone then!

Dormat Grass .... Winterkill ..... Budgets...

Last weekend the tournament committee played a Saturday round of golf at an unspecified location, with an unnamed member that came to Edmond a day early.

This unspecified location had NO grass, or at least everywhere I landed in the fairway it didn't have any and was clearly in the worst shape of any golf course I've played on in years.

That experience push started a lively debate with the group about what the problem was.  

Over fertilize?  Maybe it was kids?  Petroleum substance?  What did it?

Sunday, Sunday - The Open @ Coffee Creek

Sunday, Sunday!

So good to me!

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (April 25, 2010) Known as “Papa John”, John Phillips wrote and arranged Monday, Monday for the Mama’s and Papa’s in 1966. As I made my final site visit to Coffee Creek on Saturday April 24, I immediately thought of the melody while greeting players that had arrived for the April 25th (Sunday) event a day early.

The lyrics, from the only #1 song by the Mama’s and Papa’s to hit the billboard top 100, started with “Monday, Monday, so good to me, Monday mornin’ it was all I hoped it would be”

Edmond, OK’s G. Bob Fraley might have been humming the melody on his way home as he fought off a rough start to the day to bring home the Snead Flight honors with a strong back nine shooting a 94. His triumphant finish brought with it the Tournament Championship trophy, presented by Labor Finders.

Lawton’s, Brad Cooper, Chad Coogle from Bethany and The Cowboy Classic, Tournament Champion, Fairview’s K.C. Montgomery, all finished the day tied with Dr. Fraley at 4 over, net 74’s, but G. Bob prevailed in the 4 scorecard playoff to bring home the glass and sing Sunday, Sunday so good to me on his short drive to his Edmond home!

On Course ....... with Tom Casady - The Provisional

On Course with Tom Casady ......

It's your choice.


Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (April 21, 2010)     Have you been stumped by which rule to pick for a given situation? Don't feel you are alone. I've been reading the Rules of Golf since the 70's, and I still refer to the book. You can reunite annually with a new Rules of Golf book, but just in case you haven't done it this year, below is a little after winter test to see how sharp you still are on your golf's rules.

You've hit your ball into the rough on the right side of a fairway, past a water hazard, and are unable to find your ball. What would you chose as your best choice in this situation: 1) go to the hazard and drop a ball according to the rules regarding hazards and play out the hole; 2) go back to the tee and hit another ball; or 3) hit a provisional before your group leaves the tee box? One of these three choices will prevent delays. Do you know which you should pick?

Meet the Tournament Committee - Loyd Welch

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (April 17, 2010) Loyd Welch and I spoke last fall just before the National Championship @ PGA West about the direction of the Golf Channel Am Tour in Oklahoma.

It didn’t take long for me to realize Loyd shared the passion and excitement about the tour and was “on board” to help us take it to where it needed to go. His excitement and commitment to bringing the tour members great events and doing it the “right” way has contributed to the new Oklahoma Tour!

On Course ..... with Tom Casady "Responsibility of the Marker"

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (April 14, 2010)  We have all had the displeasure of wondering how to handle an awkward situation. It is unpleasant to have to speak to someone about something that is incorrect, feeling it is not our place to correct. So we find ourselves on the golf course, pencil in hand, and about to write a score upon an official document that we will have to sign later showing our approval, when all of a sudden, a score is given with which we don't agree. What do I do as a marker?

Oklahoma Announces Overall Tour Player of the Year Program

Oklahoma Tour Player of the Year and Senior Tour Player of the Year Awards Announced!

Scott R. Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (April 13, 2010) In addition to Flight Champion Player of the Year Awards, Labor Finders and The RealEstate Place have stepped up support of the Oklahoma Tour and challenged each of the tour members to step up your game and win the Player of the Year awards.