Rambling Bald Resort in Lake Lure, North Carolina once again was the host resort for the Southern Regional tournament. A total of 121 golfers, the largest field ever for the southern regional, descended on Lake Lake this past weekend for a great weekend of golf. A total of 8 tours were represented this year (Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Columbus, East Tennessee, Hilton Head-Savannah and Upstate) the Southern Regional. The weather could not have been any better for the weekend of golf. The sun was shining all weekend and the courses were in great shape for the tournament.
The Championship flight consisted of 12 players for this 2-day event. It was a tight leader board after the first round of the tournament, which was held on the Bald Mountain course, making day two a very interesting one to watch. Round two was held at the Apple Valley course. Jody Clary from the Upstate tour went out and lit up the course by firing a 2-under par 70 to take home a 7-shot victory over fellow Upstate Tour member William Claytor. Coming in third was Zach McKelvey, also out of the Upstate Tour.
The A flight had a big group of players over the weekend. All 21 players came into the tournament ready to make a charge and claim the title. Numerous good scores were shot on day one, with the leader sitting at 73 for the tournament. Once again, day two was going to be very interesting. Jimmy Turner, out of the Upstate Tour, played a near flawless round of golf on day two to shot a 3-over par 75 to pull away with the win. Coming in second was Dan Warner followed by Mark Ducker in third, both out of the Charleston Tour.
The biggest flight of the tournament was the B flight with 33 players competing. After day one of the tournament, three players were sitting atop the leader board with 79's on the card. Day two came and only one player was able to back up the 79 with another good round. That was Upstate Tour member Dexter Winfield who shot 82 at Apple Valley. Coming in second was John Collins out of the Upstate Tour. Rounding out the top three was Jason Dores from the Charleston Tour.
A total of 33 players, tied for the biggest flight of the tournament, were in the C flight for the tournament. After day one of the tournament, the leaders were sitting at 80, making day two "no mistake" day if you were trailing. That is exactly what Tait Love from the Atlanta Tour was able to do, make no mistakes. Love shot 84-84 on the weekend to pull out a 2-stroke win over fellow Atlanta Tour member Kevin Tomlin. Rounding out the top three was Jeff Mayse from the Upstate Tour.
The D flight had a nice size group of 15 players. With four players shooting 91 on day one to claim the early lead, it made the second round of the tournament one to go after the leaders. In fact, 36 holes were not enough to declare a D flight winner. It took a playoff between Dennis Harris and William Hinson to see who would end up winning. In the end it was William Hinson from the Columbia Tour winning the D flight Southern Regional tournament. Coming in third was Ed Sikorski out of the Atlanta Tour.
We would like to thank everyone who came out and played this weekend. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the links as you finish up your seasons on your respective tours. Remember, next years Southern Regional will be in Myrtle Beach!