GC Am Tour Oklahoma: April 2011

Tunnel To Trouble

Scott R Chilcutt, Broken Arrow, OK (April 2, 2011) After a one year abscense by the Golf Channel Am Tour from the Emerald Falls Golf Club, those familiar were reminded and those new to the layout were educated on the tunnel that joins the course by the South 305th East Avenue division. Heading west is trouble, but after you've finished the batch of holes the east bound ride is welcome.

The first three holes of the championship, par 72 layout tend to give you a false sense of security, then when you head back towards the clubhouse the 4th hole picks up in difficutly, but nothing like the drive around the pond at 18 and under the street to meet the 5,6,7 and 8th holes. Of the four holes only 1 birdie was carded out of the 42 golfers and in that stretch the stroke average was 1.825 over par. The 8th hole was the toughest playing 2.48 strokes over par and in the 4 holes over 54% of the scores were double bogie or higher.

Kirby Rogers picked up the Tournament Championship Trophy, presented by Labor Finders wth a net 72. Rogers weathered the 4th -7th holes with pars but found trouble with a triple on 8th.

Next UP - Forest Ridge Classic - April 18th, The Open at Rose Creek - April 30th.

Results:

Championship: Playing in 3, 2010 tournaments with two wins and a National Championship qualifying 3rd place finish at The Classic at the Payne Stewart Golf Club Major , Brad Christianson from Tulsa whipped up on the course and the field carding an even par 72. Christianson's card included 5 bogie's and 5 birdies to go along with a steady 8 pars to take the trophy. 2nd place finisher Douglass Duke, also from Tulsa par'd the 18th hole to stay one stroke ahead of Pauls Valley player, Brandon Henry who finished 3rd.

Palmer: Far south central Oklahoma golfer, Jim Payne from Burneyville debated making the trip with traveling partner, Don Shuggart but made the best of it taking the Palmer flight by 4 strokes over hometown Broken Arrow resident Allen Sawvel. Oklahoma City's Hank Darcey and Darren Montgomery along with another Broken Arrow resident David McDaniel tied for 3rd with McDaniel taking the scorecard playoff for the last gift card award.

Hogan: Muldrow, OK player Kriby Rogers picked up his 3rd win of the 2011 points season by one stroke over Stigler's Chris Blankenship. Blankenship fared better that Rogers over the 5th-8th holes but couldn't stay ahead after Kirby pared the final 3 holes. Newcomer Travis Klein from Del City had the lone birdie on the 6th hole rounded out the top 3 only two strokes out of the lead.

Senior Hogan: Two years departed from a disqualification at Emerald Falls for a mixup on the hazard lines, Tahelquah's Jim Crawford made amends with his second win on the Am Tour. 2008 National Champion, Kelly Smith from Sentinel couldn't overcome a tough stretch on the front nine finishing in the 2nd spot two strokes clear of Mike Johnson from Tahlequah.

Sarazen: The second flight trophy going back to Tahequah, Christian Abels stayed clear western Oklahoman Robert Lakey from Sayre by two strokes. Abels first win of his Am Tour career solidified the lead after Lakey tripled the par 5 - 18th hole. Denver tour player Tony Solano from Aurora, CO rounded out the top three.

Jones: Fairview's, K.C. Montgomery picked up his first win of the season and fourth of his career shooting 16 over 88. Montgomery, not unscathed on the 5th - 8th hole stretch birdied the 11th in his win over Loyd Welch of McAlester. Welch's heroics chopping out a perfect layup from the water on the 18th wasn't enough to make up ground on KC, but did get to cool off from the heat. First time player Eric Einarsson from Tulsa finished in the show spot.

Snead: Jerime Parker from Blanchard thought twice about playing after impending work issues kept him occupied but in the end was able to focus on the job at hand, taking his first win in his first attempt on the Am Tour. Three time tour winner, Rick Henthorn finished in 2nd over Checotah's Scott Bundrick.

Skins:

Championship: 3 -- Brad Christianson. 2 -- Jeff Boyer; Daniel Burcham. 1 -- Douglas Duke; Brandon Henry.

Palmer: 2 -- Hank Darcey. 1 -- Allen Sawvel; D'Wayne Lowery; Jimmy Westfall.

Hogan / Senior Hogan: 1 -- Kirby Rogers; Todd Chapman; Jim Crawford; Ryan Cummings; Michael Hicks; Stan Wilson.

Sarazen: 4 -- Jay Williams. 3 -- Christian Abels; Robert Lakey.

Jones: 3 -- Eric Einarsson; Kent Montgomery. 1 -- Ron Hardy; Loyd Welch.

Snead: 5 -- Scott Bundrick; Rick Henthorn. 3 -- Mike Olson.

For More Information:

Scott R Chilcutt

Tour Director

Dallas / Fort Worth - Oklahoma

GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour

405.513.1467 - 972.302.9478

schilcutt@gcamtour.com