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.
