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11th Annual United States Golf Teachers Cup®
DOURIS
PREVAILS IN 4-HOLE PLAYOFF
Aussie becomes second
international winner of
United States Golf Teachers Cup
Nov. 2-3, 2006 • Boulder Creek Golf Club
Boulder City, Nevada |
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Making
perhaps the greatest shot in United States Golf Teachers Cup
history, USGTF member James Douris from Noosa, Australia
defeated Trinidad & Tobago's Christopher Richards on the fourth
playoff hole to win the 2006 championship, held November 2-3 at
Boulder C reek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nevada. Douris becomes
the second international champion, following the 2004 title of
Canada's Dave Belling.
Douris’ approach
shot on the par-4 third playoff hole found the desert over the
green. Faced with needing a difficult up-and-down fro m 90 feet
away to keep the playoff going, Douris chipped the ball into the
slope, ran it up to five feet, and drained the putt to stay
alive. He then parred the fourth playoff hole to capture the
championship. Douris and Richards finished 36-hole regulation
play tied at 3-under 141.
For Douris, the
US Cup re p resented his first professional victory. After
shooting a two-round record of 135 in his 2006 USGTF playing
ability test, Douris announced his presence at last year’s
tourney with a fifth place finish.
2004
champion Belling, from Sarnia, Ontario, wound up third at 71-73
– 144. A disappointing bogey-double bogey finish on 17 and 18
sealed his fate. Five-time and defending champion Mark Harman
from Guyton, Georgia, never threatened the second day and
finished tied for fifth at 72-73 – 145. Joe Bernat, from
Surfside Beach, South Carolina , playing out of the Super Senior
division, was also fifth with 71-74 – 145.
Douris, 25,
started playing golf at age 14, coming over to the sport from
rugby. He played his first tournament when he was 17, and has
played a number of tournaments since then. Currently dividing
his time between playing and teaching, he expects to land a
full-time teaching position in the coming year near his hometown
of Noosa, in the state of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast.
As
steady as he appeared in the playoff, Douris admitted to a case
of nerves as he stood over his five-footer in the playoff to
keep his championship hopes alive. “I was nervous because I had
been missing putts all day,” he said, “but I knew I was going to
make that putt.” As to his dual careers of playing and teaching,
Douris said, “I love to do both. I’m looking to find a course
where I can teach full-time, as I have a number of students
already lined up.”
Belling, playing
in the last group with Douris, Richards, and Super Senior
William Zachary, was impressed with the level of competition
from the start.
“The
front nine was a birdie-fest,” said Belling. “The game was on
from the first tee shot.” The group made a total of eight
birdies on the outgoing nine, while steady play ruled the back
nine.
The 140
participants, playing for a record purse of $25,000 in the 11th
annual United States Golf Teachers Cup, were nearly unanimous in
their praise for the event and for the Boulder Creek course. Set
up at 7,072 yards for the Open division, the course played fast,
firm, but most importantly, fair. The Boulder Creek staff itself
received rave reviews for their courtesy and
professionalism.
While
the competition itself is important, the true highlight of the
week was the opportunity for WGTF members to greet old friends
and make new ones. Many participants annually consider the event
the highlight to their golfing year. Already, most are looking
forward to the 2007 US Cup, to be held in conjunction with the
8th biennial World Golf Teachers Cup.
NOTES:
After consecutive runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005, Bernat
finally captured the Super Senior division with his 1-over-par
total of 145. A tough competitor with a smooth but powerful
swing, Bernat is the Director of Instruction at Wachesaw
Plantation East Golf Course in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina .
Two-time
defending Super Senior champion Jerry Moore moved down an age
group to play with the “youngsters” in the Senior division, and
his winning ways continued. Moore fired scores of 72-75 – 147 to
take home $2,800 for his efforts. Last year’s Senior champion
Ron Platz started strongly with a 73, but a final round 78 left
him in third place behind Carlos DeBarros, who finished second
at 75-74 – 149.
Jill Finlan
Scally won her second Women’s division title by shooting 79-78 –
157. Scally was formerly a player on the Duramed Future’s Tou r.
Florencia DeRolz traveled from Guatemala to finish second at 83
- 80 – 163.
The 2007 US Cup
will be held in conjunction with the 8th biennial World Golf
Teachers Cup in the Las Vegas area. Full details will be
published in the Spring/Summer edition of Golf Teaching Pro.
Until then, please visit www.usgtf.com for further information .
TOP SCORES FROM THE 11TH
ANNUAL
UNITED STATES GOLF TEACHERS CUP
Boulder Creek Golf Club, Boulder City, Nevada
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