Frank Warren Wins 2005 Augusta Open (Martinez, GA

Frank Warren Captures 2005 Augusta Open

28 May 2005 - Martinez, GA - Frank Warren used his local course knowledge on his way to his first PPA victory of the season on Saturday by posting a two-shot triumph over Greg Ward. Warren consistently played his three rounds on the Red Course with rounds of 23, 24, and 24 to come out on top of the field of 20 pros.

Frank Warren
2005 PPA Augusta Open Champion

For the first time this season, a PPA weekend in the Atlantic region began under hot conditions. Temperatures climbed into the mid to upper 80's throughout the day with a threat of thunderstorms looming in the Augusta area. Ideally, the heat of the day took an affect on the carpeting, which usually generates low scores. Nonetheless, Warren posted a score of 71, but the average for the day between the players stood at 82.3.

The reasoning for the unexpected higher scores was the summary of play in the first round. Par on the Red Course is around 27. Only seven players were able to go under that mark, including Warren's opening round 23. That great start was outdone by one stroke as Michael Hitt opened up his play with a round of 22, including a front nine 10. Warren was second and a shot off the lead, while in at 24 was Andy Coradini.

Warren took over from there when he boasted a second round 24 for a two-shot lead. Warren was in at 47, with Stan Seethoff, another local product, in second at 49. Ward was third and three back at 50. Tony Varnadore also was in at 50, despite making it to the course with virtually little practice time.

In the final round, skies became overcast and the threat of storms was seen in the distance. This would lower the scores in the final round and made the finish a bit more respectable. Pair of 23’s were carded by Ward and Jay Klapper to finish second and third respectively at 73 and 74, but Warren continued his torrid run to victory with another 24 to finish the afternoon at 71. The win was Warren's first PPA victory of the season and since last year on this same course in Martinez.

Todd Trent dominated in the APA Division with a solid two-round start. After rounds of 25 and 24 for a massive six-stroke lead, Trent eased on in with a final round 29 to take home a four-shot win and post his first win of the season. Trent finished the day with a score of 78. The win by Trent ended a six-tournament winning streak in Martinez for Jeff Carr in the process.

Local Bo DeBruin finished in second at 82, after starting the day in 11th out of 12 amateurs and a score of 33. Carr rebounded from an opening round 30 to finish tied for third at 83. 2004 APA National Champion Ricky Schults also fired an 83.

Varnadore claimed the fourth spot on Saturday with a score of 75. Defending champion Randy Reeves had consistent rounds on Saturday to finish in fifth at 76. The score of 81 made last money.

The South Carolina Tour resumes play on Sunday, May 29 at 10:00am on the Red Course.

Tournament results provided by Frank Warren and Opie Roberts.

Professional Division of the Augusta Open
(Martinez, GA- Red Course - 28 May 2005)

		Round				S.C.	Prize
	Player	1	2	3	Total	Points	Money
1	Warren, Frank	23	24	24	71	40.00	$ 140.00
2	Ward, Greg	25	25	23	73	37.00	$ 100.00
3	Klapper, Jay	26	25	23	74	36.00	$ 80.00
4	Varnadore, Tony	27	23	25	75	35.00	$ 65.00
5	Reeves, Randy	26	25	25	76	34.00	$ 55.00
6	Jackson, Tony	27	25	25	77	32.50	$ 48.00
	Coradini, Andy	24	29	24	77	32.50	$ 48.00
8	Seethoff, Stan	25	24	31	80	31.00	$ 45.00
9	Culverhouse, Rick	29	26	26	81	29.50	$ 40.00
	Britt, Darrell	30	27	24	81	29.50	$ 40.00
11	Hitt, Michael	22	30	30	82	27.50
	Orr, Randy	30	24	28	82	27.50
13	Johnson, Robert	28	29	28	85	26.00
14	Baird, Rick	29	28	29	86	25.00
15	English, Gary	31	25	31	87	24.00
16	Toomey, Steve	27	29	32	88	22.50
	Bryant, Robby	32	29	27	88	22.50
18	Jackson, Bob	28	33	28	89	21.00
19	Ward, Robert	33	37	27	97	19.50
	Mersereau, Hank	32	35	30	97	19.50