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.

Results:

Championship Flight - Brad Christianson from Tulsa held on for his 2nd win in as many tries just one stroke over newcomer Steve Lusk from Ponca City. Lusk shot a 2 over on the back to edge out Curt Howard from Sapulpa and Brad Kerr from Claremore.

Palmer Flight – The Texas Traveler, Texhoma, TX’s Mel Yates racked up another 724 miles to fire a tournament low 74 for his 3rd win of the year including the Texas Open Major at Barton Creek. After a shaky start Tulsa’s Roland Lewis finished the last ten holes at 2 over par with a birdie on par 4 12th.

Hogan Flight – Tulsa’s Todd Chapman won by four strokes over high school classmate David Shales also from Tulsa for his 2nd win of the season. Shales bested playing partner, another two time winner Chris Blankenship from Stigler, by three strokes.

Senior Hogan Flight – Tahlequah’s Mike Johnson sat down to his post round sandwich only to learn he needed to retrieve his equipment to compete in a playoff against Bill Copeland from Tulsa and Tahlequah neighbor Jim Crawford. In the Copeland won the tournament on the 2nd extra hole giving him a perfect 4 for 4 win percentage.

Sarazen Flight – Arkansas tour player, Kirby Rogers from Muldrow, OK won his 2nd Oklahoma Tour event in as many tries in a one hole playoff over Cheyenne’s Alan Barnett. Rogers struggled through the middle of the round but birdied the tough 18th hole to even the score against Barnett’s par. Wichita, KS first time AM Tour player Steven Bacci finished 3rd.

Jones Flight – Stillwater’s Ryan Cummings lapped the field with his strong 5 over par 75. Van Buren, AR Jay Williams took 2nd over Yukon’s Jerry Hardin. Despite shooting a two over par back nine with two birdies Hardin couldn’t overcome Williams three over coming to the clubhouse.

Snead Flight – In his 2nd attempt at Cherokee Hills, Rick Henthorn from Yukon made this one count. Henthorn debuted on the Golf Channel Am tour in July 2009 at Cherokee Hills. Eliminating 14 strokes over last year, Rick bested Ron Walker from Crescent by two strokes. Walker with pars on 10, 13 and 18 and a birdie 12 bested Henthorn by one stroke on the back nine but couldn’t overcome a tough start to the round to catch Rick.



SKINS:

Championship/Palmer – Mel Yates – 3: Brad Christianson – 1: Brad Cooper – 1: Curt Howard – 1:

Hogan / Senior Hogan / Sarazen – Kirby Rogers – 2: Jim Crawford – 1: Michael Hicks – 1:

Jones /Snead – Ryan Cummings – 2: Jerry Hardin – 2: Jay Williams – 2: Rick Henthorn – 1: Ron Walker- 1:

See complete list of details here:

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