13 April 2008 - Newport News, VA - On a sunny, pleasant spring morning, the Virginia PPA Tour contested the second of two weekend 54-hole events on the Red Course at the Newport News, VA Play A Round Golf and Games facility. 2003 VA State Champion Gilbert Sharpe successfully solved the riddle of the course's fickle and perplexing carpets, charging to a five-stroke 36-hole lead and subsequently holding on for a comfortable two-stroke, wire-to-wire victory. Sharpe fired rounds of 27, 27, and 30 for a 54-hole total of 84, giving him his first tour win since May 2006, which he also earned in Newport News. By virtue of a stellar final-round 27, reigning Richmond, VA City Champion Ken Schooler surged into second place at 86. Jon Drexler, winner of multiple international putting titles, finished in third position at 90. A fourth-place tie at 91 included 2006 PPA National Champion Brad Lebo and 1991 VA State Champion Ed Grajewski.

Gilbert Sharpe

Action began with Sharpe darting to the front of the pack with a brilliant opening-round 27. Posting the only other sub-30 score of the event's opening round, Grajewski hovered just a stroke behind the lead, in second position at 28. Schooler stood alone in third place at 30. A fourth-place logjam at 31 included Lebo, two-time VA Open Champion Manfred Stewart, and 2007 VA Open Champion Matt Summey.

Sharpe continued his torrid pace in the second round of play, figuratively mocking the field with a second-consecutive 27 to open up a five-stroke 36-hole lead at 54. Schooler shot a second-round 29 to maneuver into a second-place tie with Grajewski at 59. Bunched in a fourth-place tie at 61 were Drexler, Lebo, and Stewart.

Sharpe crafted a steady third-round 30 for a 54-hole total of 84 to seal his first victory of the 2008 PPA season. Schooler recorded a third-round 27 to take sole possession of the runner-up position at 86. Drexler carded a second-consecutive 29 to jump into third place at 90. Lebo and Grajewski tied for fourth position at 91. The cash line for the five money spots awarded in the event fell at 91.

Chuck Dibbs

In the amateur division, five-time VA APA State Champion Chuck Dibbs, the Bobby Jones of the VA Tour amateur division, put forth a spectacular putting exhibition appropriate for this Masters Sunday. Dibbs carded brilliant rounds of 28, 28, and 24 for an unfathomable 54-hole score of 80 and a five-stroke victory, his first of the 2008 season. Defending champion Malcolm Shumaker notched runner-up honors at 85. At 88, reigning VA APA State Champion Conway Coffey finished in third place. Sharing fourth position at 92 were Calvin Owens and Tidewater area amateur Bob Chetister.

Play commenced in the amateur division with Shumaker continuing his outstanding play from the previous day's event, firing an opening-round 26 to take the early lead. Dibbs shot 28 to move into second place. 2004 JPA National Champion John Petrie lurked in third position at 29. Grouped in a fourth-place tie at 30 were Coffey, Chris Matthews, and two-time VA Open APA Champion Amy Smith.

A trio of amateur division heavyweights jockeyed for position atop the second round leader board. Coffey posted a blistering second-round 26 to leap into a tie for the 36-hole lead with Dibbs at 56. Despite a middle-round 31, Shumaker remained in the hunt, in third position at 57. Owens and John Petrie were deadlocked in a fourth-place tie at 60.

Dibbs took command of the tournament in the day's final round, posting a weekend-low round of 24 for a weekend-low 54-hole score of 80 and a five-stroke win. Shumaker carded a solid final-round 28 to pole-vault into second place at 85. At 88, Coffey completed the day in third position. Chetister recorded a final-round 30 to jump into a fourth-place tie with Owens at 92. Owens and Chetister split the final amateur expense reimbursement spot awarded in the tournament.

The Virginia PPA Tour would like to extend thanks and express its appreciation to course owner and former PPA Pro Wes Cowan and his staff for their gracious hosting of a successful weekend at the Newport News, VA Play A Round Golf and Games facility. The next events on the Virginia PPA Tour schedule are two 54-hole events to be held on May 10 and 11 on course # 2 in Martinsville, VA. The weekend's first event will begin at noon on Saturday, May 10. The second tournament will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 11.