Local qualifying for the 2017 U.S. Open has concluded, with approximately two dozen golfers with Georgia ties advancing to sectional qualifying. Sectional qualifying is scheduled for June 5 at 10 sites throughout the U.S., including one at Hawk’s Ridge in Ball Ground. Two of the local qualifiers were held in the Atlanta area, with Summer Grove in Newnan and Stone … [Read more...]
Chris Nicol Wins Georgia PGA Event at Rivermont by 6 Shots
There wasn’t much doubt who was the best player in the field in the Georgia PGA’s Rivermont Championship, played May 8 in the suburbs of north Fulton. Chris Nicol, an assistant at Georgia Golf Center in Roswell, shot 8-under 134 with scores 68-66 to win the one-day, 36-hole event by six strokes over Kyle Owen, whose second round 69 was the only other score in the 60s in the … [Read more...]
Brian Harman Scores Second PGA Tour Win With Birdie-Birdie Finish
As the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship was nearing its conclusion, the CBS broadcast was anticipating a rematch of the Dustin Johnson-Jon Rahm battles from the two WGC events earlier this spring. Rahm appeared to be the only player capable of denying Johnson a fourth consecutive victory in his first start since suffering a back injury in a household fall just … [Read more...]
Mariah Stackhouse Ties for Second in Symetra Classic at Atlanta National
Although Mariah Stackhouse was unable to capitalize on her first opportunity for a victory in her young pro career Sunday, her strong showing and runner-up finish in the Symetra Classic at Atlanta National left her with positive feelings going forward. Stackhouse, who grew up in Riverdale on Atlanta’s south side and now lives in Alpharetta in the metro area’s northern … [Read more...]
Mariah Stackhouse Shoots 66 In First Georgia Start As a Professional
Things went pretty well for Mariah Stackhouse in her first tournament start in Georgia as a professional. Stackhouse, who grew up in Riverdale and now lives in Alpharetta, made her first pro start in her home state April 28 in the Symetra Classic in Atlanta National, and when she completed her round, was in first place after a 6-under 66. Shortly after she signed her … [Read more...]
James Mason Wins Georgia Senior Open for Third Time After Shooting His Age in First Round
Judging by the quality of his recent golf, age is just a number to veteran Georgia PGA member James Mason, with that number now representing a target on his best days on the course. The 66-year-old Mason bettered his age for the second time in a month in tournament play in the opening round of the Yamaha Georgia Senior Open at Chattahoochee GC, and held off former champion … [Read more...]
Augusta’s Scott Parel traveled tough road to Champions Tour
The Champions Tour is not exactly welcoming to players like Augusta’s Scott Parel, who made it to the age of 50 without ever earning membership on the PGA Tour. Parel, who is exempt on the Champions Tour this year for the first time after sharing medalist honors in the finals of Q-school late in 2016, has no problem with that. After turning pro at the age of 31 … [Read more...]
Stephen Ames Wins Champions Event at Sugarloaf by 4 Over Bernhard Langer
When the final round of the Champions Tour event at Gwinnett’s TPC Sugarloaf began, 26 players were within five strokes of 36-hole leader Stephen Ames, who was winless in 48 starts since turning 50 in 2014. When Ames chipped in for birdie on the par-4 seventh, he moved to 4-under for the day and 13-under for the tournament and had distanced himself from all but two of his … [Read more...]
Masters Report: Sergio Garcia Defeats Rose in Playoff to End Career Frustration in Majors
After a long string of close calls in major championships, Sergio Garcia had seemingly resigned himself to concluding an otherwise successful career without a victory on one of golf’s Grand Slam events. Despite waving a figurative white flag in what he viewed as a losing battle with Augusta National, Garcia continued to keep giving the Masters a shot, and in his 19th … [Read more...]