One of the best courses on Hilton Head Island is the Arthur Hills course in Palmetto Hall. With challenging holes and a great layout, it is one of the local favorites. Fittingly it was the host course for this past weekend’s tournament for the Hilton Head- Savannah tour. The temperature reached the 90’s, the course was in great shape and the players were ready to play.
The Championship flight saw newcomer Ben Gecy fire a solid round of 73 to take home the win. When asked about the round and his 73, Ben stated that he played well and could have came in with a better score if he didn’t double bogey the eighteenth hole. In addition to winning the flight, Ben also walked away with a few flight skins and a super skins. Not a bad way to start your amateur tour season. Great round Ben and keep up the great play.
The biggest flight on the day was the A flight with eight very solid players. The top three placers today were only separated by one stroke. In the end, Terry Lennox fires a 5-over par 77 to beat out Mike Peters and Michael Clemens by one stroke. Mike Peters finishes second in a scorecard playoff. Mike continues to lead the season long points race and finishing second today helps extend that lead. Will Mike get caught or will he continue to lead the way throughout the season? We have eight more tournaments to play before we declare a winner.
The B flight was the smallest it has been all season long with only four players playing today. The four players that were there were all in the top five in the season long points race. So, playing today and playing well would be important to each player. All four battled all round long and at the end only five strokes separated first place from fourth place. Season long points leader Mark Morris, was able to secure the win with a solid 87 today. Coming in second was Craig Ehde (88) followed by Pat Helm (89). Keeping with the norm, Keith Weaver (92) finishes outside the top three J
The C flight consisted of seven players and was the flight that kept the playoff streak alive. Jess Haynes and John Donat both came in with solid and impressive 88’s on their scorecards. So off to hole #1 they went. Both players tied on #1 and #2. It was hole #3 that decided the champion; and that champion was Jess Haynes. This is the third win in four tournaments for Jess. Finishing third was Mike Kline. With the win, Jess moves into first place in the season long points race.
The D flight saw an early scored get posted by Glen Cunningham. Though the score wasn’t the score Glen wanted to post, he kept asking if he should stay around to see what happens. In the final group of the day Kevin DeBold came in a posted a score that was one stroke better than Glen’s. Kevin claims his second tournament win in a row. Glen wasn’t at all disappointed and was actually surprised that he had a chance at the win.
Congratulations to all the winners today! I know the temperature was hot but I also know we all had a good time. Our next event is the Southern Regional in Lake Lure. Sign up early to secure your spot in the tournament.