KickingBird Challenge Lives up to the Billing

KickingBird Challenge Lives Up To the Billing
Tournament of "FIRSTS"

Scott R Chilcutt, Edmond, OK (March 13, 2010) Billed as the “KickingBird Challenge” the golf course along with help from mother nature helped the event live up to its billing. Chilly north winds and a well marked and maintained golf course proved to be a challenge of nerves, skill and course management and met the players with a defiance of sub par scores.

A tournament of “FIRSTS” this event has set a benchmark for many stories to come.

First Time Players – In addition to 12 new players to the Oklahoma Tour we had 6 players rejoin and participate at KickingBird that haven’t played with us since 2008.

First Time “Labor Finders” Tournament Champion Award – New to the game of golf and a recent addition to the Golf Channel Am Tour – Oklahoma’s Ryan Cummings from Stillwater, OK finished out the #1 handicap 18th hole with a birdie to take the Championship Trophy with a net 74. The 18th hole proved to live up to its billing, playing 1.74 strokes over par and the largest differential on the course. Labor Finders, a commercial, industrial and construction temporary staffing agency, is sponsoring the Tournament Champion trophies for 2010.

First Time @ KickingBird – With the help of Head Golf Professional, Brian Soerensen, Course Superintendent, Brad Jolliff and the entire staff at KickingBird, we were able to set up the course to our standards and utilize a designated section of the range and grill area.
First Time Golf Channel Staff Visit – Drake Schunck, Regional Director, Events Division made his first visit and appearance by the Golf Channel Corporate Office to an Oklahoma Event. Drake was here to meet and greet the tour players and takes back to the Orlando headquarters, the ideas and feedback from our members.



Flight Winners:

Championship Flight – James Fowler from Checotah, OK, playing his first event since 2008, fired a 9 over par 79 despite woes on the 18th hole to take home the Championship Flight honors by one stroke over 25 year old first time player Brad Kerr from Claremore, OK.
Palmer Flight – Roland Lewis, two time 2009 flight winner from Tulsa, OK had to battle three playoff holes to best Mel Yates, first year tour player from Texhoma, OK, to take the trophy with an 11 over par 81. The continuing story of challenges at the 18th hole let Roland earn the playoff spot.

Hogan Flight – 47 year old Todd Chapman from Tulsa, OK bested the new comer, 33 year old Chad Coogle of Betheny, OK in a sudden death playoff that took 3 holes to finalize the flight champion accolades. Despite finishing the final stretch of 3 holes in 3 over par against Chad’s 1 over, Todd's cushion proved enough to force the playoff.

Senior Hogan Flight - Bill Copeland, a Providence, RI native residing in Tulsa, OK brought home his first GC Am Tour win by edging out Chris Abels by three strokes, a member of our strong contingent from Tahlequah, OK making the trip to KickingBird.

Sarazen Flight – Multiple Jones Flight winner, Allan Barnett, Cheyenne, OK in his first tournament since progressing to the Sarazen flight bested Scott Word of Oklahoma City, OK. Allan’s par on the tough 18th and 1 over during the last 3 was too much of a hurdle for Word to overcome.

Jones Flight – 40 year old tour rookie Jimmy Smethers, Stigler, OK edged out hard charging Tournament Champion Ryan Cummings with a par on the 18th hole to take the victory by 1 stroke. Only 1 double bogie, with pars on 8, 9 and 18 helped create the consistent round of 86 for Jimmy to take home the prize.

Snead Flight – Crescent, OK’s Ron Walker shot a strong 87 to win over 2009 Snead Point Champion and 2nd place 2009 Oklahoma Player of the year, K.C. Montgomery of Fairvew, OK. Walker birdied the 7th hole to go for a stretch of 1 under par from the 7th to the 12th hole to take home the trophy.

SKINS:
Gold Tee – Jim Crawford – 2 - $70; Mel Yates – 2 - $70
Blue Tee – Bill Copeland – 2 - $52: L Pat Dunn – 1 - $52: Fred Schmidt – 2 -$52: Todd Chapman – 1 - $26: Robert Lakey – 1 - $26
White Tee – Scott Bundrick – 2 - $50: Gary Chrisman – 1 - $25: Ryan Cummings – 1 - $25: G. Bob Farley – 1 - $25: Rick Henthorn – 1 - $25: John Kingery – 1 -$25: Jimmy Smethers – 1 - $25

Closest to the Hole - presented by KickingBird Golf Club.
#3 - Darren Montgomery - $40
#6 - Mel Yates - $40
#11 - G. Bob Fraley - $40
#14 - Mike Hicks - $40

For a complete list of results and pictures click here For more information:
Scott R Chilcutt
schilcutt@gcamtour.com
405-513-1467