The Amateur Players Tour – Atlanta hosted the Local Finals at Bears Best on Sept 17-18, 2022. Players competed in five divisions over 36 holes with a prize pool of over $3200. Five Player of the Year Awards were handed out in each division with a prize pack of over $500 per division.
First, we have to congratulate our Division 2 tournament champion, Nathan Carney. Nathan came out firing in the first round and recorded his personal best round of 69 to take a six-shot lead. The hardest thing to do in golf is to repeat the next day after a career best and Nathan can attest to that. Nathan held on to take a three-shot victory over Gary Hughes of the Birmingham Chapter. Nathan was awarded a $400 Visa Gift Card and the trophy. Congrats Nathan on your first victory. Division 2 Player of the Year was a race between Sean Pierce and James Davis. Sean ended up taking the honors by less than ten points over James. Congrats Sean on your wonderful 2022 season.
Division 3 was a battle between Dophie Thomas and Steven Smith after the two players were tied after the first round. During the final round it was back and forth between the two with Dophie ending up with a three-stroke victory over Steven. This is Dophie’s second victory of the season, and he was awarded a $300 Visa Gift Card and the trophy. Congrats Dophie, great playing. Our Division 3 Player of the Year was awarded to Shawn Powers. Shawn had three victories and multiple top three finishes on the season. Congrats Shawn.
Division 4 was won by Andy Maestas. Andy carded rounds of 90-88 to win the $300 Visa Gift Card and trophy. This is the fifth victory of the season for Andy and these five victories helped Andy secure Player of the Year honors in Division 4. The next event for Andy is the Senior North American Championship in Myrle Beach, SC to be contest September 25-27. Congrats and good luck in Myrtle Beach.
Division 5 was a back and forth battle all weekend long between Bill Ryan and Doug Gibbs. Bill used two birdies in the final round to push him ahead to take the $350 Visa Gift Card and the trophy. This is Bill’s first victory on the Amateur Players Tour and it came at the most perfect time as this victory also secured Player of the Year honors for Bill. Players of the Year were awarded $300 Visa Gift Cards, a customized champion headcover, and a paid 2023 membership.
Upcoming tournaments:
Next up for Atlanta is the Herman Cup on Oct 1-2. The Herman Cup is a Ryder Cup style event versus the Tennessee East Chapter. Each division has four players with two automatic qualifiers based on points and then two captains picks. Our team of twenty players are ready to head to Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, Ga to bring the Herman Cup back home where it belongs.
APT Sr. North American Championship
Myrtle Beach, SC
September 25-27
APT North American Championship
Nashville, TN
October 10-12
Bear's Best Winners
Division 1 Champion
Derek Nicholson
Division 2 Champion
Nathan Carney
Division 3 Champion
Dophie Thomas
Division 4 Champion
Andy Maestas
Division 5 Champion
Bill Ryan
Division 1
Player of the Year
Derek Foulke
Division 2
Player of the Year
Sean Pierce
Division 3
Player of the Year
Shawn Powers
Division 4
Player of the Year
Andy Maestas
Division 5
Player of the Year