Four-time national PGA of America Player of the Year Sonny Skinner headlines a group of four inductees for the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017. The Sylvester native is the only person to win national player of the year (2008) and senior player of the year (2010, 2011, 2012). He won twice on the Web.com Tour (then Nike Tour) and was low club professional at the 2011 Senior PGA Championship.
Other members of the incoming class are: Wright Waddell of Columbus, a three-time All-SEC player at the University of Georgia and two-time winner of the Georgia Mid-Am; Savannah native Martha Stacy Leach, who was an All-SEC player at Georgia, played in more than 60 USGA championships and won the 2009 U.S. Women’s Mid-Am; and Stephen Hamblin of Alpharetta, the executive director of the American Junior Golf Association since 1984.
The selections clear the way for other worthy nominees such as nine-time Georgia PGA Player of the Year Tim Weinhart, Georgia Tech coach Bruce Heppler and longtime PGA club professional and promoter Butch Hansen to receive greater consideration.
Nicol runs away at Rivermont: Chris Nicol of the Georgia Golf Center shot 8-under 134 to win the Georgia PGA's Rivermont Championship by six shots. Kyle Owen of Dunwoody Country Club was second at 140. It was the second time Nicol has won the event.
Mason shoots age, wins Senior Open: James Mason, 66, of Dillard shot 65-69 to win the Georgia Senior Open for the third time. His 10-under 134 is believed to be the lowest in the event's 34-year history. Sonny Skinner was second at 136.
Belk, Sheats win Georgia Four-Ball: Jeff Belk of Alpharetta and Robert Sheats of Atlanta survived a five-hole playoff to win the Georgia Four-Ball Championship at The Golf Club of Georgia. They tied with Billy Mitchell of Roswell and Chris Waters of Atlanta at 18-under 195. After pars on the first four extra holes, Belk made a birdie to close the match. Belk was also part of the winning team in 2001.
Broadaway tops local qualifiers: Former Truett-McConnell golfer Deven Broadaway won the first U.S. Open local qualifier at Summer Grove in Newnan. Broadaway, the 2015 Georgia Public Links champion, shot a 66 to pick up one of eight available spots that advance to the sectional qualifier on June 5.
University of Georgia golfer David Mackey was second at 67, and Thomas Whitely of Emmanuel College and Thomas Todd of Presbyterian College tied for third at 68. Surviving a five-man playoff for the final four spots were James Clark of Georgia Tech, William Rainey of the College of Charleston, Joey Savole of Middle Tennessee State and Tadd Fujikawa, a professional from Hawaii.
The second local qualifier will be Monday at Stone Mountain Golf Club.
Etc.: The Oglethorpe men are going to the NCAA Division III championships for the 17th consecutive year under coach Jim Owen. The Stormy Petrels earned one of seven at-large bids. Oglethorpe won national titles in 2009 and 2012. Emory and LaGrange also earned at-large spots in the championship. … Georgia Golf Hall of Famer Charles Harrison and two-time NCAA championship-winning coach Rick LaRose will be the honorary starters for the Dogwood Invitational, June 28-July 1 at Druid Hills Golf Club. … University of Georgia golfers Greyson Sigg was named first-team All-SEC, with Spencer Ralston named to the All-Freshman team. Matthew Beringer was named to the SEC Community Service team. … Mike Cole of Stone Mountain Golf Club was named Marriott's Golf Professional of the Year. … Most Georgia State Park Golf Courses are offering free golf for U.S. veterans, who pay only the cart fee, on Memorial Day.
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