As you can probably tell, by the lack of recent post, things have been hectic for the past month or so for the TGA. Upon returning from the State Amateur (which went amazingly well) we had just a few short weeks to get prepared for our final run of tournaments. Unlike most seasons, where we seem to be on the downhill stretch after the State Amateur, this year we found ourselves with 5 more events still to come.
Two weeks ago Nate and myself headed up to Loudon, TN to prepare for our second TGA Championship Series event of the year at Rarity Pointe Golf Course. It only yeilded a field size of 29 players but was packed with competition. After a scare of rain the first day, the second day found the players working to keep dry as a steady rain beat down on the players for most of their round. In the end Ray Morton and Jim Brown found themselves victorious in their respective divisions. The TGACS event had ended but our work in Loudon was not complete. Our Senior Amateur Championship was the following week and Nate and I had decided to stay in East TN and get some course ratings done in between events.
The Senior Amateur began on Tuesday, September 1st at Tennessee National Golf Club. The course was in amazing condition and this years field was the biggest the TGA has had in many many years. Boasting 23 in the Super Senior division and 115 in the regular senior division...the players were set to have a competitive test for this years title. After a second straight day of gorgeous weather the field was cut to the low 30+ties. The second day also brought the end of the Super Senior tournament. Ron Bargatze of White House, TN found himself atop the leaderboard posting a two day total of 148 (75-73) giving him a two shot win over Ron Parson of Knoxville. In the regular division, the champions trophy was once again hoisted up by Larry Dupree of Germantown, TN. Larry defended his title by firing a final round 72, giving him a three day total of 211 (70-69-72), five under par, and a six shot victory over Bill Argabrite and Dennis Vaughn.
This week we are back in the office preparing for our next two Championship Series events as well as the Mid-Am. We will be heading down to Ridgeway Country Club in Memphis the third week in September and then find ourselves the following week in Chattanooga at Bear Trace @ Harrison Bay. Both of these events should have great fields and allow players to make a late push at the Player of the Year Points List before ending the year at Holston Hills for the Mid Amateur Championship. Its one last sprint to the finish for the TGA, and we are excited about the upcoming championships.
