VALDOSTA —
South Georgia Classic Day 1 Notebook:
Richey has best eagle of day
Brian Richey was one of seven players to have an eagle on the day, but Richey was the only player to eagle the par-5 13th, a hole that played 657 yards on Thursday. Altogether, there were seven eagles on the day, with four coming on the par-5 second hole.
The bogey hole
The par-4 12th, which has played as the toughest hole in the tournament’s five-year history, proved to be, once again, the toughest hole on the golf course. Sixty-one golfers posted a bogey on the hole, including tournament leader Robert Streb.
Where is No. 1?
The Nationwide Tour’s top-ranked player, according to the Tour’s money list, Andres Gonzales, was never in contention on Thursday. He finished his opening round with a 1-over 73, and will tee off today at 7:25 a.m. from the No. 10 tee.
Past Classic winners have mixed results
2008 South Georgia Classic winner Bryan DeCorso is tied for 17th at 2-under par, while 2007 winner John Kimbell is tied for 65th at 1-over par and 2010 champion Ewan Porter is tied for 132nd at 5-over par.
Pro-am winner far behind
The winner of the Monday and Wednesday pro-am, Philip Pettitt Jr., finished the opening round with a 2-over 74. Pettitt Jr. double bogeyed the par-3 14th and managed two bogeys on the front nine. He birdied just two holes the entire day.
VSU alumnus Witcher struggles
In his third career South Georgia Classic appearance — second as a professional — Brent Witcher, an All-American at Valdosta State in 2009, finished Thursday’s round at 3-over par. Witcher double bogeyed the par-3 sixth hole, and managed just one birdie on the day, which came on the par-5 13th. Witcher has never made a cut in this event.
Yellow Alert
Caddies wearing yellow bibs are caddies whose golfers are currently ranked in the top 25 of the money list. The number on the yellow bib indicates the position of the golfer on the money list. At the end of the Nationwide season, the top 25 on the money list will be promoted to the PGA TOUR.
Friday’s weather
Today’s high will reach 88 degrees with a zero percent chance of rain. Winds will blow south by southwest at eight miles per hour, setting up a dry day on the course, which could see several players post low scores.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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John Kimbell, the winner of the first South Georgia Classic, hits the ball down the fairway during his opening round Thursday. Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Alex Aragon tees off during the opening round of the South Georgia Classic Thursday. Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Justin Hicks hits the ball down the fairway during the first round of the South Georgia Classic on Thursday. Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Marc Turnesa hits the ball out of the sand trap during the first day of tournament play at the South Georgia Classic. Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
South Georgia Classic Day 1 Notebook
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