ATLANTA, (GA) — For the fourth time since 2017 the Georgia Open presented by L & J Golf, Layr, and E-Z-GO will be contested at The Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill next week. The Championship dates are August 5-8, with the sold-out Pro-Am set for Wednesday, August 4th.
The Georgia Open annually attracts a diverse field, with mini-tour pros and amateurs joining Georgia PGA professionals. Since Stephen Keppler won back-to-back tournaments at Lake Oconee courses in 1994 and 1995, current or recent tour players have won the Georgia Open 21 of the last 24 years. The only exceptions were Georgia PGA members Tim Weinhart, winning at the Legends at Chateau Elan in 2004, Jeff Hull, who won at Champions Retreat Golf Club in 2007 and Paul Claxton in 2017, the first year playing at The Ford.
In last year’s championship, played at Jennings Mill Country Club in Watkinsville mini tour professional Jonathan Keppler joined his dad, PGA Professional Stephen Keppler, as a Georgia Open Champion, becoming the second father-son combo to win the states premier professional event along with DeWitt Weaver Jr and DeWitt Weaver III. The younger Keppler is scheduled to defend his title.
Other professionals expected to contend for the title include 2017 Georgia Open champion, Paul Claxton of Claxton who played on one of the PGA Tours for nearly twenty years. Sonny Skinner, the five-time PGA of America Senior Player of the Year. 2020, Georgia PGA Player of the Year Anthony Cordes of Cherokee Town & Country Club. 2020 Runner-up and mini tour player Zach Caldwell of Alpharetta and 2018 Champion Tim O’Neal of Savannah.
Amateurs that are expected to vie for the title include a pair of University of Georgia players, 2021 GSGA State Amateur Runner-Up Will Kahlstorf of Watkinsville and 2019 Atlanta Open Champion, Eli Scott from Hartwell.
The Ford Field and River Club is one of the finest havens in the country as named by Town & Country magazine; this 1,800-acre private community on the banks of the Ogeechee River offers a select few members the best of every day. Alongside a spectacular Pete Dye golf course, it offers sport fishing, riding, shooting and fine dining, a relaxed southern lifestyle provides a respite from the outside world, among acres of protected wetlands, abundant wildlife and the serenity of graceful Live Oaks. Ford’s story is told through simple details and personal interactions on every level. It’s a lifestyle you won’t find anywhere else.
About L&J Golf: L&J Golf, a boutique golf company based in Snellville, Georgia, currently owns and operates three golf courses in the state, Jennings Mill Country Club, Lane Creek Golf Club, and Country Club of Gwinnett. With 100 years of experience on their team, L&J’s ultimate goal is to help grow the game of golf and help club owners build the best clubs in the industry.
About Layr: Layr, a modern tech-enabled insurance agency based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a technological advanced company in the insurance industry that goes beyond the realm of current technology used in the industry such as email and faxing. With their implementation of modern technology such as artificial intelligence, the company has been able to expand its roots beyond the Atlanta market with a specialized coding center in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to expanding domestically, Layr has also expanded internationally into London, England in this continuously developing industry to offer its services on a global scale.
About E-Z-GO: E-Z-GO, a global leader in the manufacturing of golf carts, utility vehicles, and personal transportation vehicles, started off as an idea in a small work-shop in Augusta, Georgia that is now recognized internationally as one of the most successful transportation companies in the golf industry. Since 1960, E-Z-GO has been part of Textron, one of the most renowned Fortune 500 companies in the manufacturing of transportation vehicles and is committed to continuing their revolutionary work within the transportation and golf industries.
About the Georgia PGA: The Georgia PGA is one of the 41 Sections of the PGA of America. Its membership includes nearly 890 PGA professionals working at over 260 golf courses, clubs, and ranges throughout the state. Additionally, more than 35 Georgia PGA members compete on one of the PGA Tours. In keeping with the fundamental objectives laid down by its founders, one of the Georgia PGA’s primary goals is promoting the game of golf through clinics, junior and minority golf programs, consumer programs, and print, radio and television media.