|
Jeffrey Smith
Wins 41st Annual Gulf Coast Tournament of Champions
21-22 October 2006 - Lake Charles, LA -
The 41st Tournament of Champions in Lake Charles LA is one to be
remembered. The event's name was changed this year to the Al Simpson
Tournament of Champions. Sixteen rounds of medal play in a two day
period is unusual but a true test of endurance. This year's event was
more of an endurance test than has ever been played in the history of
the game. Because of a rain out after the first four rounds, 12 rounds
had to be played on Sunday. Play started at 8:00 a.m.
and finished at 5:00 p.m.
To facilitate the speed of the event course owner, Greg
Simpson, served free pizza between rounds to eliminate the
players having to leave and take up to a hour between four
round segments. The event is an invitation to pre-qualified
recipients who have won tournaments based on a preset
formula. The tournament pits pro, amateur and novice winners
against an open field.
After the first four rounds, Brice Bergesen had a one
stroke lead over Rainey Statum with a score of 101. After
eight rounds Rainey Statum and Nathan Anderson were tied at
210 with Brice at 211. Jeffrey smith was a distant 218.
After 12 rounds Statum had a five stroke lead over Nathan
Anderson and Jeffrey Smith. Smith shot a 107 to Statum's 115
to take the lead into the last round and successfully defend
the title he had won in 2004. There was no tournament in
2005 because of Hurricane Rita damage.
Jeffrey Smith finished with a
total of 425 ( 26.56 average) strokes. Statum needed a 23 on
his last round to win but could only get a 27 after a double-bogey
on hole #15. APA member Nathan Anderson's 429 won him $120
for third place and a plaque for being the low medalist
among the amateur and novice players. Smith won a total of
$650. Statum got 150 won $120 for third and another $50 for
tying Byron Kirby for the second four round segment of the
event. (amateurs and novices are limited to a total of $250
in reimbursement or gift certificates). Brice Bergesen won
$100 for fourth place plus $100 for the low score of the
first four round segment. Tom Adair of Tyler TX won $100 for
the low third four round segment. He shot 99 which was the
lowest four round segment score of the entire event. Not bad
for a player making his debut in the event. Lee Messinger
shot a 442 to take 5th place money of $75. Byron Kirby won
$50 when he tied Anderson for the second four round segment
low score. Kirby finished at 444 for sixth place. Mickey
DeLucca, of Baton Rouge LA shot the lowest 18 hole round of
the tournament with a 21 in his second round to win $100.
Tournament
scores and summary provided by Al Simpson.
|