Roswell, GA — Sonny Skinner, PGA head professional from Spring Hill Country Club in Tifton successfully defended his title at the weather delayed Yamaha Atlanta Open presented by Bushnell, Bolle, Camelbak and Chase 54 played at St Ives Country Club in Johns Creek. Skinner carded a final round of five-under par 67 for a two-day total of seven-under par 137, and outlasted amateur Jason Mendel of Norcross and Adam Morris of Acworth in a hole-by-hole playoff on the third playoff hole.
Skinner, the only person to earn both the PGA of America’s Player of the Year and PGA of America’s Senior Player of the Year in the 100 year history of the association, collecting five Senior Player of the Year titles. For his efforts, Skinner took home the Lyman R. Hunter trophy and the first place check for $4,000. He is the first repeat champion since Matthew Russell in 1995 and 1996.
Mendel and Morris shared low amateur honors. Mendel is a rising junior at the University of South Alabama. Morris is a rising sophomore at Dalton State College located in North Georgia. Both players birdied the par five 18th hole to earn their respective spots in the playoff, with Morris narrowly missing his eagle attempt from seven feet to win the championship.
Morris was eliminated on the first playoff hole as Skinner and Mendel moved on with birdies. They halved the second playoff hole with pars, with Skinner winning the championship by making a 15 foot birdie putt the third time they played the Par 5 502 yard 18th hole.
Rounding out the top five was 2007 Champion Bob Royak of St. Ives Country Club who finished the championship at six-under par 138 and PGA apprentice Gus Wagoner of the Cherokee Town & Country Club in Sandy Springs who tied for 4th place at six-under par 138.