Rocky Start to 2006 AAGT Season

Ugh. I can't blame the jet lag from Vegas for my poor performance on Saturday at the season opener at Eagle Harbor. Must be the pure talent. An 84 on a beautiful day is not the way I wanted to start. Didn't hit it that bad at all. Just left it in a few unfavorable places and was unable to get it in the hole.

That's golf, I guess.

The American Amateur Golf Tour of Jacksonville returned to Eagle Harbor Golf Club to open its 2006 season. On a windy and cool afternoon the tour had a record opening with 101 players in the field vying for the opportunity to call themsleves early season champions.

Wendall Sheffield of the Hogan flight shined throughout the day. Wendall shot his tour low score of 75 while winning the Hogan Flight. Wendall was able to outdistance former member John Lee (79) and former 2001 National Champion David Davis (79) by 4 shots. That was not all for Wendall, he also won the closest to the Pin, winning $190.00 and was one of 6 players to win a big skin. Another player who had a great day, was Neil Murphy in the Palmer Flight. Neil returned to the tour for his fourth season in a row and shot a 1- over par 73 to win the Palmer flight. Neil was able to hold off Keith Scott by one shot and also won a couple of skins. The Palmer Flight was as competitive as we have seen in many tournaments with so many players shooting 77 or better.

The day also saw a couple of repeat winners return to Eagle Harbor and defend their titles. In the Nicklaus Flight Steven Davis, six time winner from 2005, came back to Eagle Harbor and shot a 1-over par 73 to win by two shots over playing partners Matt Salane (75) and Tom Sykes(75). In the Sarazen Flight, Stephan Jones returned to the tour for his 2nd season and to Eagle Harbor in a higher flight. Stephan went out and shot an 82 to win by 4 shots over Tampa Native David Herman (86). Stephan was the 2005 Eagle Harbor Snead Champion.

Finally, the day also brought a new winner and an old familiar face as champions of their flights. In the Jones Flight Tim Lamer, in his AAGT debut, shot a great round of 82 to win the flight by one shot over Kyle McClung (83), also a 1st time player of the tour. In the Snead Flight, after taking a year off from the tour, Duke Denson returned to shoot "bogey" golf with a score of 90. Duke was able to win by the largest margin of the day by 7 shots over Mike This (97).

Players enjoyed lunch before teeing off thanks to a great grill set up by the fantastic staff at Eagle Harbor. In addition the course was in absolutely perfect condition and despite a full field and a very busy morning of play the pace of the tournament was quite nice.

The season continues on March 18th at a new area course, Panther Creek. This is considered one of the most challenging courses around and should be a great event.

Remember, you can still sign up for a tour in your area at www.ultragolftour.com.

And as always, please contact me if you'd like to donate. Proceeds are shared with the First Tee of Jacksonville.