After two hotly-debated rules controversies and a mostly dreary final round, the 2013 Masters produced a nail-biting finish that tournament patrons and television viewers have come to expect from golf’s most revered championship. Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera provided a stirring conclusion to regulation when they both birdied the 18th hole to force a playoff. They followed with … [Read more...]
How Georgians at the Masters Performed
Of the six players in the Masters with Georgia ties, four made the cut; with former Masters champion Larry Mize missing by just one shot at the age of 54. Fellow former champion Zach Johnson opened with a 69, but struggled in difficult conditions the second round and ended up in the middle of the pack at 3-over 291. Defending champion Bubba Watson needed seven second-round … [Read more...]
M.J. Daffue wins NeSmith Chevrolet Classic
Some people may have scoffed when Justin Lower said that NGA TOUR fields are so deep there could be 18 different winners this season. But with each passing event, Lower’s words only become more prophetic. M.J. Daffue became the sixth different winner in six events this season by outlasting Sihwan Kim on Sunday afternoon in the NeSmith Chevrolet Classic at Sapelo Hammock Golf … [Read more...]
Expert Panel makes picks for NGA’s NeSmith Chevrolet Classic
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NGA TOUR, we have assembled a “Panel of Experts” who specialize in the golf industry and have the experience of covering the NGA TOUR for multiple seasons. This panel of experts will make their top-five selections each week for the NGA TOUR 18 Pro Series events this season and they continue with this week’s NeSmith Chevrolet Classic … [Read more...]
Bulldog Duo Begin PGA Tour Careers; English, Harman Ace Q-Cchool Test
By Mike Blum The University of Georgia contingent on the PGA Tour for 2012 more than doubled after outstanding efforts by four former Bulldogs in the finals of Q-school. Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner, teammates on Georgia’s 2005 NCAA Championship team, regained their status on the tour by placing among the top 25 finishers. They will be joined by Harris English and Brian … [Read more...]
‘Medalist’ Todd Returns to PGA Tour; Q-School Effort Caps Comeback After Lengthy, Puzzling Slump
By Mike Blum More than most sports, golf is frequently unexplainable, Take Brendon Todd as a prime example. Todd was a key member of Georgia’s 2005 NCAA Championship team and turned pro in 2007 after an outstanding college career in Athens. It didn’t take him long to make his mark as a professional. In his first start on the Tar Heel (now eGolf) Tour, he won. Three … [Read more...]
Skinner Shooting for Champions Tour Success; Just Misses Exempt Status in Finals of Qualifying
By Mike Blum For the past three decades, Sonny Skinner has been grinding away on various professional tours, putting thousands of miles on whatever car he happened to be driving at the time. Skinner has enjoyed some success here and there, winning twice on what used to be known as the Ben Hogan (now Nationwide) Tour and playing full time for four years on the PGA Tour in the … [Read more...]
Griffin Classic Back on Georgia PGA Schedule; Match Play Event Returns to Early Season Date
By Mike Blum The 2012 Georgia PGA tournament schedule gets off to an earlier-than-usual start this year, as one event makes its return and another changes its date from near the end of the season to among the first to be held. The Griffin Classic, which was last played in 2009, is back on the schedule this year, but instead of its traditional mid-Summer date, will open the … [Read more...]
Henley Leads Georgians on Nationwide Tour; Swafford, Haley Also Among State’s Rookies
The 2012 Nationwide Tour tees off this month in South America with a mostly veteran contingent among the 20 Georgians competing on the tour this year. Six Georgians graduated from the 2011 Nationwide Tour to the 2012 PGA Tour, while seven players with ties to the state earned Nationwide Tour status in the finals of Q-school. Leading the way among the newcomers is Macon’s … [Read more...]