Tournament Champions
The Houston Amateur Players Tour concluded its 2024 season with a one-day tournament on Saturday, September 7, at Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Competitors encountered a breezy course that also had been dampened by a two-day rain event. However, players were greeted with a much-welcomed cool front after a long summer of scorching heat, which made for a great start to Houston’s season finale. Here is a breakdown of each division and Player of the Year recognition.
Division 1- In the final tournament of the year, seasoned veteran Don Bradham and newcomer Austin Duhon both made the turn at +1(37). A three-birdie effort by Austin along with a two-birdie effort by Don was setting the stage for a back nine brawl. Austin matched his front score with another +2(37), to take the win with a +3(74). Walker Toomes had the low round on the back nine shooting even par (35) to create a 3-way tie for 2nd place with Donald Bradham and Mark Young.
Division 2- A tie between Brian Thomas and Darien Duhon at +5(41) was paving the way to another close finish coming off the front nine. Excitement hit the group when Brian Thomas made a hole-in-one on #15 putting him in a tie for 1st with Troy White with 3 holes left to play. A birdie by Darien Duhon on hole 16 paid dividends by leading to a tie with Troy White, both finishing at +9(80). A repeat playoff between the same two opponents, at the same course to open the 2024 season, was underway. After two holes, Darien Duhon took the Division 2 Championship.
Division 3- Gary Anderson took a 2-shot lead over Jack Anderson on the front nine and played steady on the back nine to bring home the division win with a +17(88).
Division 4-John Sparks edged out Ellis Flores by 3 shots on the front nine with a +11(47). This small margin proved to be the difference as both Sparks and Ellis shot +13(48) on the back nine giving John Sparks the victory in division 4.
Division 5- Ricardo Rameriz made the turn with a seven shot lead +13(49). He cruised to victory with a +25(96) to take the division 5 championship.
Senior Net-Cedrick Smith won Senior Net with a -4(67) while Troy White took second with a -1(70).
Once again, congratulations to all division winners as well as each Player of the Year Champion:
Division 1 – Donald Bradham
Division 2 – Darien Duhon
Division 3 – Jack Anderson
Division 4 – John Sparks
Division 5 – Ricardo Ramirez
Senior Net – Darien Duhon