Fowler Breezes Through With Victory in Rock Hill, SC
20 May 2000 - Rock Hill, SC - An opening round of 24 was more than enough for Todd Fowler as he coasted for his first win of the 2000 South Carolina season with a final score of 78. Fowler broke it open in the second round with a 26 to take a three-shot lead over three other players before firing the final round of 28 to pad the cushion to a final margin to five strokes over four other players.
Fowler, also having a previous second place finish in Rock Hill earlier in the year, picked up his eighth victory in his career on the South Carolina tour, and his first since completing the sweep in Asheville, North Carolina on August 22, 1999.
The 24 shot by Fowler in the opening round was the best round of the day on Course 2 in Rock Hill, which will be the host site of the upcoming Palmetto Classic in three weeks.
Jimmy Comer led the entire afternoon in the APA Division, getting better with his rounds each time. The High Point, NC native fired well-played rounds of 28, 27, and 25 to win by seven shots over three other players. Comer ended the tournament at 80 for his second South Carolina win of the season. Billy Caudle, William Glisson, and Tommy Hutchinson finished tied for second at 87, and Glisson won the playoff for second in the division.
Temperatures around 90 degrees and steamy but breezy conditions were the key elements for the afternoon. There were 16 money spots available with a three-way split finishing the cash line at 88 for one spot.
Opie Roberts placed his best finish of his career finishing in a four-way tie for second at 83, along with Rick Baird, Michael Hitt, and Greg Ward. Darrell Britt and Mike Flavin tied for sixth, one back at 84.
Fowler took the South Carolina PPA Qualifying Spot into the State Championship in Spartanburg, and also took the Match Play spot as well with his win on Saturday.
The next South Carolina tournament will be in Rock Hill again on Sunday, May 21, at 10:00am on Course 2. After that, they will head to Spartanburg for a weekend on the newly carpeted Course 1. That is to be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4
Scores and tournament recap provided by Opie Roberts.
Professional Division of Rock Hill, SC Event (20 May 2000)
Round Prize Player 1 2 3 Total Money 1 Todd Fowler 24 26 28 78 $130.00 2 Rick Baird 27 28 28 83 $69.00 Michael Hitt 28 25 30 83 $69.00 Opie Roberts 27 29 27 83 $69.00 Greg Ward 28 25 30 83 $69.00 6 Darrell Britt 29 27 28 84 $55.00 Mike Flavin 29 27 28 84 $55.00 8 Dan Anders 27 29 29 85 $49.00 Jay Klapper 25 28 32 85 $49.00 Allen Wall 32 25 28 85 $49.00 11 Greg Newport 30 30 26 86 $40.00 Rick Rybaczek 30 29 27 86 $40.00 13 Lewis Burton 29 29 29 87 $35.00 Kevin Chambers 28 31 28 87 $35.00 Bob Haizlip 28 29 30 87 $35.00 16 Robert Johnson 27 31 30 88 $12.00 Randy Reeves 28 31 29 88 $12.00 Rob Smarzik 30 26 32 88 $12.00 19 Todd Barfield 31 28 30 89 Nick Gill 29 27 33 89 Edgar Hollifield 30 26 33 89 22 Gary Benfield 31 30 29 90 C. L. Jones 28 30 32 90 Tony Pack 32 30 28 90 Frank Warren 30 29 31 90 26 Gary Hester 28 32 31 91 Bob Jackson 31 31 29 91 28 Gary English 33 26 33 92 Tony Jackson 32 32 28 92 Tony Varnadore 27 33 32 92 31 Bobby Kirby 34 29 30 93 32 Tommy Hollifield 30 31 36 97 Amateur Division of Rock Hill, SC Event (20 May 2000)
Round Player 1 2 3 Total 1 Jimmy Comer 28 27 25 80 2 Billy Caudle 31 27 29 87 William Glisson 32 27 28 87 Tommy Hutchinson 32 27 28 87 5 Jonathan Reid 29 29 32 90 6 Chris Hudson 32 29 31 92 Todd Trent 30 33 29 92 8 Lester Helms 31 31 31 93 Steve Helton 32 32 29 93 10 Adam Smith 32 34 29 95 11 Mason Harkey 30 34 32 96 Billy Walters 35 30 31 96 13 Robin Trent 32 33 34 99 14 Darren Harvey 38 40 34 112 15 Zeb Head 35 43 35 113 16 Chance Mathews 42 39 41 122