VALDOSTA — Even with temperatures soaring near 100 degrees, the scores remained low at the Valdosta Open at the Valdosta Country Club on Saturday.
Forty golfers arrived to play individual stroke play, and several more played in the two-man scramble at the annual event which raises money for the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Valdosta.
“Everyone’s having a good time,” Valdosta Country Club head pro Rob Williams said. “We always get a good turnout because people know this is a revenue generator for the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Valdosta.”
After the first round, Stan Gann of Warner Robins leads in the professional bracket of the individual stroke play competition. He shot a 69. It was the only round in the 60s for the pros and the amateurs.
“Stan has been a mini tour player who’s been around for a long time and always plays well,” Williams said. “He’ll be tough to beat (Sunday) because he’s a really solid player.”
Four strokes back are three players tied for second. Chris Erwin, Hiland Sanders and Nate Balanis all shot 73.
“Stan will have his work cut out because he’ll get a test from Hiland and Nate, I’m sure,” Williams said. “It’ll be interesting to see if Stan can hold those guys off because they’ll be gunning for him.”
Carl Hays, Chris Dixon, Donnie Parker, Mark Hardman and Cody Lowry all shot 74 and are five strokes behind Gann entering the final round of play.
In the amateur bracket, Jason Personette is the first round leader after shooting a 71. He is followed by Chelsey Gunn who shot a 72 and Matthew Smith who shot a 74.
It wasn’t just the course the golfers were playing against on Saturday, it was the heat too. One golfer had to be taken away in an ambulance after apparently suffering from heat exhaustion.
“We’re trying to do our best to provide a lot of water for them and to keep them hydrated because it’s really tough out there,” Williams said. “With the heat and as hot as it is we’ve tried to make the (course) as enjoyable as we can. The course hasn’t been set up extremely difficult. They have enough of an obstacle in the heat. It’s really brutal.”
The Valdosta Open concludes today, and no matter who wins in the stroke play or two-man scramble, the real winner is the Boy’s and Girl’s Club.
“This tournament has been going on for a long time, and the big winner is always the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Valdosta,” Williams said. “It’s a major fundraiser for them. Most of the players involved know that they’re helping a worthy cause.”
Williams also credited two local doctors from the Valdosta Medical Clinic — Dr. Thomas Hobby and Dr. Hernando Moreno — for contributing money and sponsoring the tournament.
“They have a warm place in their hearts for the young kids in the community here, and they’ve stepped up when times are tough and the economy isn’t good,” Williams said. “Their donations go along way to helping the Boy’s and Girl’s Club.”
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Related Photos
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Ty Howze putts as Kyle Goff looks on during the Valdosta Open Golf Tournament at the Valdosta Country Club Saturday.
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Brad Wayes tees off as Jason Bennett looks on during the Valdosta Open Golf Tournament Saturday.
Discussion
Valdosta Open golfers brave heat for a good cause
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