Golf notes: Castro's learned to seal the deal
In the three years since graduating from Georgia Tech, Roberto Castro has gone from a guy who knew how to compete to a player who knows how to win. The Alpharetta resident has definitely found a way to close the deal on the golf course.
Two weeks ago, Castro won the Savannah Quarters Classic during cold, windy conditions. He did it by knocking in a 10-foot putt on the final hole to win by one shot, just three holes after making a double-bogey that temporarily knocked him out of the lead.
“It’s just experience and knowing how to win a tournament,” Castro said. “In college I had about a million chances and only had one win, which isn’t that good. Once you learn how to win, it’s kind of a different thing.”
This was the fifth victory on the eGolf Professional Tour (formerly the TarHeel Tour) for Castro, who also won the 2009 Georgia Open. Castro, who plays out the Golf Club of Georgia, won more than $111,000 in nine eGolf Tour events last year. This year he’s pocketed $37,000 in two events.
Castro has learned more about how to manage his game, particularly under harsh conditions. The weather was so cold and windy in Savannah that officials shortened the tournament to 54 holes.
“There will be three or four weeks each year when you’re playing great,” Castro said. “The other weeks, it’s about managing your game. That’s what I did in Savannah, manage my game and get a couple putts to go in.”
Castro plans to continue playing the mini-tours and will attempt to Monday qualify for the next four Nationwide Tour events, starting next week in Louisiana and including stops at Valdosta and Athens. He’s planning to attend PGA Tour Q School again this fall.
PGA Tour
Last week was long, grueling and ultimately productive for Camilo Villegas. He finished eighth at the Phoenix Open and flew to Bogota, where he served as host for Colombia's first Nationwide Tour event. He then returned to Florida and won the Honda Classic. "What a week," Villegas said. "But it was worth every second of it. I believe it can be a huge step for Latin American and South American golf." ...
Part-time Atlanta resident Oliver Wilson tied for 17th at the Honda Classic. The Augusta State alum is a stalwart on the European Tour, but is playing a few events in the United States to get prepared for the Masters. Wilson was a member of the 2008 European Ryder Cup team. ... Got plans for St. Patrick's Day? Ireland's Padraig Harrington does. He'll visit the White House that day to attend a party hosted by the president. Harrington will also compete in the Transitions Championship that week in Tampa. ... Ping has voluntarily agreed to waive its right to prevent the PGA Tour from banning the use of its non-conforming Ping Eye2 irons and wedges. Ping CEO John Solheim, son of late company founder Karsten Solheim, agreed to the waiver in the best interest of the game. There was no monetary compensation involved.
Nationwide Tour
Sea Island's Paul Claxton went to Colombia to get his first top-10 of the year. The former University of Georgia player shot a 10-under 278 at the Pacific Rubiales Bogota Open, as did Ringgold native Luke List. The tournament was won by 49-year-old Steve Pate, who became the oldest player to win a Nationwide Tour event.
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