Bailey and Genovese Survive 5-Hole Playoff to Win Par-3 Shootout
For the third consecutive year, the Alabama – NW Florida Section tournament season kicked off at RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, and the Short Course once again delivered an exciting day.
The 2026 Par-3 Shootout brought drama to the Short Course, requiring a three-team, five-hole playoff to determine a champion. When the dust finally settled, the team of Mike Genovese and Todd Bailey stood atop the leaderboard.
Genovese and Bailey remained steady throughout the round, carding a 7-under-par 47. Their score placed them in a three-way tie for the lead alongside the teams of Jamie Lett/Tee Brown and Paul Whitman/Ron Stromeyer. The three teams returned to the course for a pressure-packed playoff that lasted five holes before Genovese and Bailey finally secured the victory.
For their win, both Genovese and Bailey will receive a brand-new golf bag courtesy of tournament sponsor KRADUL.
In addition to the prize for the winning team, the day also featured an individual competition with Closest-to-the-Pin (CTP) prizes on holes 1 and 10. Mike Beverly and Noah Martino each walked away with KRADUL backpacks for sticking it closest to the pin.
While the Section’s Hole-in-One jackpot remains unclaimed, hopes remain high that someone will finally sink one and claim the Hole-in-One Club.
A special thank you to our sponsors, Auburn-Opelika Tourism and KRADUL, for their incredible support of this event. We also extend our gratitude to our host PGA Professional, Joe McNally, and the entire staff at Grand National for once again providing an excellent start to the season.
The Section now looks ahead to a packed tournament schedule with the Team Stableford quickly approaching on March 16th at Timberline Golf Club.
2026 Par-3 Shootout
@ RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National – Short Course
