Roswell, GA — Sonny Skinner, PGA professional from Sylvester won his first Yamaha Atlanta Open presented by Bushnell, Bolle and Chase 54 played at White Columns Country Club in Alpharetta. Skinner shot a final round of two-under par 70 for a two-day total of nine-under par 135, and defeated Bradley Smith, PGA apprentice at Eagles Landing Country Club in Stockbridge by a stroke.
Skinner, the reigning Georgia Section Player of the Year and five-time PGA of America Senior Player of the Year played his two rounds without making a single bogey. For his efforts, Skinner took home the Lyman R. Hunter trophy and the first place check for $4,000.
Low amateur honors went to noted amateur and 2007 Atlanta Open champion Bob Royak of St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek who finished the championship at five-under par 139 in a tie for 5th place with PGA apprentice Chris Nicol of the Georgia Golf Center in Milton. Rounding out the top five were PGA professional Kyle Owen of Dunwoody Country Club and PGA apprentice J.P. Griffin of the Cherokee Town & Country Club in Sandy Springs finishing tied for 3rd at six-under par 139.
Defending champion, PGA professional Hank Smith of Frederica Golf Club, finished tied for 29th at 1-over par 145.
The Yamaha Golf-Car Company has been a long time supporter of the Georgia Section and serves as the title sponsor of the Atlanta Open, the Georgia Senior Open, and the Georgia PGA Match Play Championship. Yamaha Golf-Car Company has based its North American headquarters in Newnan, located off I-85 in south metro Atlanta, since 1987. It has developed into the largest employer in Coweta County, with more than 1200 employees.
Tom Fazio designed White Columns Country Club and it has been consistently rated one of Atlanta’s top golf courses to play. Fazio utilized the natural undulating terrain to create a challenging golf course that is also playable featuring impeccable playing conditions, contrasting transitional area, and spectacular vistas from the elevated tees and greens enhance the design. In 2014, it became part of the Club Corp family of golf courses. The par 72 layout played 6,979 for the championship.
The Georgia PGA is one of the 41 Sections of the PGA of America. Its membership includes nearly 830 PGA professionals working at over 265 golf courses, clubs, and ranges throughout the state. Additionally, more than 20 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.