Distl, Wooten Defend Title in CGRA Two-Person Event

Posted 10-28-06

Tournament photo gallery

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Craig Distl and Robbie Wooten successfully defended their title as Carolinas Golf Reporters Association team champions at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, S.C., in October. Distl, the principal of Distl Public Relations, and Wooten, of Impact Golf Marketing, shot a one-under par total of 143 in the 36-hole best-ball competition. Regular Golfstyles Carolina writer, Mike Purkey, and Reid Nelson, of Reid Nelson Promotions, were one shot back in second place.

Ten teams competed on Wild Dunes' Links Course and the line-up included recent Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Ron Green Sr., who shot his age, 79, for the first time in his career just weeks before the event. It wasn't his age he felt like shooting after watching partner Trent Bouts miss putt after putt. Even so, Green and Bouts finished second on countback in the second flight behind J. W. Farquhar and Ron Bennett. Farquhar was dialed in on the par threes and won two dozen balls in all then forgot to take them home. They were last seen in the trunk of someone's car.

Steve Williams won the walking wounded award carrying a knee injury into the event and then carrying partner, Jay Allred, at least part of the way. Ed Dupree and Mike Alexander comfortably beat back Jack Bacot and Alan Blondin to win the third flight. Dupree and Alexander did get some help though – mainly from Bacot and Blondin, whose two-round best-ball total of 177 was 33 over par. Both were available for comment after the final round but, surprisingly, the opportunity went begging.

The Tom Fazio-designed Links Course was in excellent condition thanks to the work of superintendent, Scott Ferguson, and his staff. And the welcome and greeting on the first tee

from head golf professional, Joe Stevens, and colleagues reflected an easy-going but high-level hospitality and attention to detail.

Between rounds, championship competitors heard from National Golf Course Owners Association deputy chief executive, Mike Tinkey, who gave an outstanding presentation on the state of the industry. Tinkey has long been a fixture in Carolinas golf but his command of the issues, trends and resources within the game on a national scale make him an excellent source. He thanked reporters for their role in promoting the game. Tinkey can be reached at mtinkey@ngcoa.org .

New member, Cheryl Harden, of Brandon Advertising, made the trip from Myrtle Beach to play in a non-competing group on day two. Among her playing partners was Pete Wofford, who helped arrange access for CGRA members to Annika Sorenstam's appearance at nearby RiverTowne Country Club, in advance of the team championship.

FINAL RESULTS

FIRST FLIGHT
Craig Distl/Robbie Wooten 72-71 - 143
Mike Purkey/Reid Nelson 72-72 - 144
Michael Dann/Rich Rushforth 72-75 -147

SECOND FLIGHT
Ron Bennett/J.W. Farquhar 76-76 - 152
Trent Bouts/Ron Green Sr. 77-75 - 152
Steve Williams/Jay Allred 77-78 - 155
Jim Johnson/Bob Hodor 79-77 - 156
Ronnie Musselwhite/Patrick Jones 79-84 - 163

THIRD FLIGHT
Ed Dupree/Mike Alexander 84-82 - 166
Jack Bacot/Alan Blondin 87-90 - 177

CLOSEST TO THE PIN

ROUND ONE
No. 4
Rich Rushforth (dozen balls)

No. 8
Ed Dupree (six balls)
Ron Bennett (six balls for birdie)

No. 12
Steve Williams (dozen balls)

No. 16
Jay Allred (six balls)
Craig Distl (six balls for birdie)

ROUND TWO
No. 4 - Ronnie Musselwhite
No. 8 - J. W. Farquhar
No 12 - Jay Allred
No. 16 - J. W. Farquhar

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