Charlotte’s River Run Shootout Results

River Run Country Club can add another tournament to its extensive list of events after yesterday.

If there is a tournament on the Charlotte Chapter which exemplifies “By the Players, For the Players”, River Run was the event.

Originally scheduled as a two-day event, we got word from our members that the other course wasn’t ready for tournament play. Phil did a scouting trip, played four holes and agreed we couldn’t play due to the conditions of the greens.

Once that decision was made, we asked our members, through a poll, if they wanted to still play for an increased purse or play for a typical single day purse. The results came back with 2/3rds of the members voting for an increased purse.

With six APT Chapters represented in the field, the course in great condition, $3,000+ in the prize pool and $2,500+ in optional cash games, you could feel the anticipation build as players tee-times approached. 

Division 5 saw two players set the pace for the day. Joe Pirz (50-46-96), playing in his first APT event, to stay within four shots of veteran Gene Merchant (46-46-92) on the outward nine. Joe came up short in his effort to catch Gene on the inward nine and settled for second place. Gene was not going to be denied his first ever victory as he managed the course and his nerves coming down the stretch to secure the win.

Division 4, teeing off hole 10 to start, was a battle for second and third most of the day. Roy Santonil (45-44-89) and Steve Daniels (43-46-89). Roy put himself in a good position entering the back nine to make a charge. With a couple of hiccups in the middle of the home stretch, Roy would settle for third on a scorecard playoff. Steve flipped the table, as he faltered on the front nine and played steady on the back nine to take second on the scorecard playoff. Bobby Hutchinson (45-41-86), from the Triad Chapter, had the big day. Bobby was able to erase one of his triples with three birdies on the day to secure the win. Those birdies also put a bigger smile on Bobby as they also counted for a few skins.

Division 3 saw four players tussle for three spots in the money. Kirk Tage (41-42-83) and Terry Upright (42-41-83) went back and forth all day for the third spot. Terry birdied 18 to tie Kirk and force a scorecard playoff. Terry, with the better back nine, takes third. TJ Eaves (39-42-81) put himself in position for a big weekend. Having won at Champions Retreat on Friday, TJ was ready to showcase another trophy in the office. The 18th hole would prove a challenge for TJ, as he must settle for second place. Kevin Stines (41-39-80) played his typical steady game while he posted par after par all day on his way to a one shot victory.

Division 2, teeing off number 10 to start the round, had 26 players compete for a payout to the top five places. Andrew Wright (42-39-81) would edge out CJ Beatty (42-39-81) from the Triad Chapter in a scorecard playoff to take fifth. Terry Newsome (42-38-80), also from the Triad Chapter, got hot on his second nine, going -2 in five holes to make a charge. While the first 9 got the better of Terry, it was good enough for fourth place. Sac Bounphasaysol (40-39-79) (Yes, I spelled his last name correctly), takes third as he managed the challenge of River Run very well, limiting dropped shots to just bogey. Wesley Jones (38-40-78), put in another solid round and found himself atop the leaderboard again. Rick Philo (38-40-78), a new APT member, also put together a solid round. Both players would find themselves tied after 18 and headed to the course for a playoff. Rick would only need one hole to secure his first APT victory and is already making plans for the tournament of champions.

Division 1 was the largest field of the day with 27 players and boasting many of the top players in the Charlotte area. While the players appeared relaxed, you could tell the intensity was building as the players neared their respective tee times. 

Wally Love (39-39-78) put himself near the top of the leader board all day. Wally had to settle for fifth losing on a scorecard playoff.  (Kyle Moffett (41-37-78) played better then the score reflects. With a birdie on 18, Kyle takes fourth place winning on a scorecard playoff. Recently promoted to Division 1, Mark Ballew (37-39-76) positioned himself near the top after the front nine. The back nine proved a bit more challenging for Markas he would settle for third. Jerell Fields (35-39-74) positioned himself nicely at -1 going into the back nine. As with most of the field, the back nine would prove the more challenging nine. Jerrell would post to be the early clubhouse leader. Scott Roberts (34-40-74) is regaining his form as he settles into a new putting routine. Posting -2 on the front nine, Scott was atop the leaderboard. His driver, usually his steadiest club in the bag, would leave him on one hole. Scott gave himself opportunities on the final two holes for birdie, he would find himself in a tie for the lead in the clubhouse.

Ties for first place are determined with on course playoffs. Scott Roberts takes first place as Jerrell left the course believing he was too far behind to secure the victory.

Thank you to all our members and guests, representing six different APT Chapters, for joining us at River Run Country Club!

Thank you to River Run Country Club and their staff for helping us make this event a success while showcasing the course.

Tournament Reports

Pace of Play Report: 

4 hours and 40 minutes (+10 minutes)

Optional Cash Game Report:

Closest To Pin - 83 out of 93 players  $415 total pot / 4 par 3’s = $104 per CTP

Hole #4 – Nolan Elenz (9’ 4”)

Hole #8 – Sac Bounphasaysol (12’ 11”)

Hole #14 – Ivan Jones (3’11”)

Hole #17 – Jerry Evans (16’3”)

Division 1 & 2 Skins - 51 out of 53 players ($765 total pot)

Justin Willis – Hole #5 – Birdie ($255)

Scott Roberts – Hole 9 – Birdie ($255)

Judd Dye – Hole 15 – Birdie ($255)

Division 3 & 4 & 5 Skins – 35 out of 40 players ($525 total pot)

Bobby Hutchison 3 skins – Holes (1, 8, 18) (all Birdies) - $175

Clif Morgan – 2 Skins – Holes (4, 15) all Birdies - $117

Matt Miller – Hole 6 – Birdie - $59

Joe Smolira – Hole 9 – Birdie - $59

Roy Santonil – Hole 10 – Birdie - $59

Brian Gregor – Hole 12 – Birdie - $59

Super Skins – 81 out of 93 players ($810 total pot)

Justin Willis – Hole #5 – Birdie ($405)

Bobby Hutchison – Hole #8 – Birdie ($405)

Upcoming Events

Charlotte Chapter:

July 3 (Saturday): Charlotte National – Straight Tee
Stableford and optional two-person net best ball
Registration

Upstate Chapter:

June 27 (Sunday): Bright’s Creek
Registration

July 17 (Saturday) Kenmure Country Club
Registration

Triad Chapter:

June 28 (Monday): Hasentree Country Club
Registration

With the summer travel season upon us, be sure to review the entire schedule. With the player of the Year points battles heating up, there is still plenty of time to make a run up the standings. National Schedule | Amateur Players Tour (bluegolf.com)