Rainey Statum Fires Final Round 24 to Take Opening Event of 2006 Texas State Tour

4 March 2006 - Lake Charles, LA - The Texas Putting Tour held its first weekend of the year at the traditional Lake Charles, LA Putt-Putt location. Evidence of hurricane Rita, which caused the cancellation of last years Tournament of Champions, was seen in abundance around the course. Lots of trees were down and a part of the old roof could still be seen in the woods across the street from the facility.

It would be Mike Baldoza who would take the opening round lead with 11 under 25. Charles Cox and Kenny Beck both fired 9 under 27s to sit two in back. Baldoza fell off the pace in the second round and Lee Messinger, shooting a 12 under 24 would take over the lead. Messinger was followed by Cox, one back with Beck and Steve Tanton, two back. A poor final round from Messinger would open the door and it was Rainey Statum, firing a 12 under 24 in the last round, who took advantage and claimed the victory by one stroke over Cox. Statum also earned a spot in the State Championship to be held in Tyler, TX. Tanton and Messinger finished tied for third, three strokes back. Additional state spot went to Brice Bergesen and Jeffrey Smith in match play competition.

Article and scores provided by Lee Messinger.

Ken Stanfill Posts First Victory of 2006 Season in Amateur Division One Stroke Ahead of Adam Sahmel

4 March 2006 - Lake Charles, LA - Adam Sahmel, who chalked up a win last season in Lake Charles, took off with the early lead, posting 10 under par for the opening round. Greg Simpson was a stroke off the pace at 27, with Allen Thomas two more strokes back at 29. With much of the field finding trouble in the second round, Ken Stanfill, who struggled in the first round, fired a second round 28 to tie Sahmel for the 36 hole lead at 59. Simpson, who also had a tough second round, was still one stroke back at 60.

Stanfill continued strong into the final round, posting another round at 8 under par to finish at 87 for the win. Sahmel, struggling with multiple bogies coming down the stretch ended the day one stroke back at 88. Mike Huckaby, after a slow start in the opening round, fired a great second round eight under par to make up some ground. With a final round seven under par and Simpson still having trouble in the final round, Huckaby ended the day at 92 in a tie for third. Also tied at 92 were Thomas and Mickey DeLucca. All three split the final expense reimbursement slot.