ALBANY, Ga. — Gary Bernson of Marietta and Scott Resseguie of Augusta posted rounds of 70-68-70, totaling 8-under-par 208, and held on to their 36-hole lead to win the Georgia Four-Ball Tournament. The winning tandem finished one stroke ahead of David Matthews and Doug Rayford, both of Valdosta, at 7-under-par 209 (70-71-68). The 25th edition of this annual event took place at Doublegate Country Club and Stonebridge Golf and Country Club, March 22-24.
Over the three-day event, Bernson and Resseguie recorded 13 birdies and only five bogeys at Doublegate Country Club. Coming off a 4-under effort in round two, which gave them the lead, the winning duo never looked back despite a one hour and 30 minute delay to start Sunday’s final round due to overnight rain. This year’s runner-ups, Matthews and Rayford, won the Georgia Four-Ball Tournament in 2011.
Finishing in third place overall from the championship flight was the duo of Craig Wentworth of Thomasville and Lee Gerdes of Macon at 6-under-par 210 (69-70-71). In fourth place overall from flight two were Danny Daniels of Kingsland and Mike Wooten of St. Mary’s at 3-under-par 213 (71-68-74). From the championship flight and finishing fifth overall was the team of Hap Fleming and Jason Myers, both of Kennesaw, at 2-under-par 214 (71-70-73). Rounding out the top 10 overall were seven teams at even-par 216: David Maddox of McDonough/Richard Carlisle of McDonough (72-74-70); Greg Brock of Calhoun/Howell Kerr of Dalton (73-71-72); Bruce Wood of Suwanee/Tommy Beman of Alpharetta (69-71-76); John Riordan of Duluth/Ray Zepp of Doraville (71-73-72); George McCanless of Forsyth/Wade Turner of Roberta (70-71-75); Chris Tallent, Sr., of Rocky Face/Kyle Pettyjohn of Dalton (73-70-73); and Clay Garner of Newnan/John Miles, Jr., of Fayetteville (71-73-72).
Due to heavy rain in the Albany area overnight Saturday, Stonebridge Golf and Country Club was deemed unplayable, therefore the final round for flights four-seven were cancelled. The 36-hole scores for those flights are considered final.
Chad Davis of Social Circle and Frank Webster of Conyers won the fourth flight at 7-under-par 137 (68-69). In the fifth flight, George Akins teamed with Ricky Tucker, both of Tifton, to claim flight honors at 3-under-par 141 (71-70). The duo of Doug Lunsford of Flowery Branch and Scott Caloway of Canton won the sixth flight at 2-over-par 146 (69-77). Rounding out the flights, Anthony Akers and Pat Payton, both of Loganville, topped flight seven at 2-over-par 146 (72-74).
The field of 96 two-man teams was divided into eight flights based on handicap index. The Championship through third flights, which were eligible for the overall title, played at Doublegate Country Club. The fourth through seventh flights competed at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club.