Gary Reed Wins PPA Oklahoma State Tour Event in Altus, OK

2 April 2005 - Altus, OK - Fifteen players traveled to Altus, Oklahoma for perhaps the last tournaments ever to be held in this city of 10,000. Six pros and nine amateurs tackled the difficult course 1 that doesnt yield too many aces. After one round Steve Armstrong from Arlington, TX and Gary Reed of Lubbock, TX were tied at the top with 32 with four players tied at 34. In the APA division David Chisum from Wichita Falls, TX was alone at 32.

The second round in the Pro division aces were beginning to fall but bogeys were also getting in the way . When the smoke cleared Gary Reed was in with 62 and Mike Chisum and Steve Armstrong were at 64. In the APA division David Chisum and Danny Hoel were in at 64.

The final round began with all pros capable of winning the top spot. Reed started out slowly and Mike Chisum was tied with Gary after just 3 holes. The other group was making progress and it was anybodys tournament to win. Going down the stretch Gary posted a 14 on the difficult back nine and pulled away from the hard charging Rod Phillips to win by three shots with a 92. In the APA division Danny Hoel posted the best round of the day to capture the title with a 93.

In match play Steve Armstrong defeated James Taylor on the third hole of sudden death and Rod Phillips aced number 18 to win the third spot over Mike Chisum on their last hole. David Chisum was the medal qualifier in the APA and Donny Halpain from Lubbock captured one spot in match play over Mike Huckaby and Jason Van Buskirk from Oklahoma City defeated his Dad Jimmy Van Buskirk for the second match spot. This was probably the only time a tournament was held on a course that was closed and the players had to sweep the holes and use the blower! The course is scheduled to be torn down the middle of this month. The Oklahoma tour members appreciate the owners allowing us one last tango on this tough course.

Article and scores provided by James Taylor.