A Day on the Hill
by Hayden Lewis, PGA / Monday, June 22, 2021
PRATTVILLE, Ala. (Jun. 21, 2021) – The 2021 Alabama–NW Florida PGA Stroke Play Series continued on Monday with the playing event No. 3 at the RTJ Golf Trail at Capitol Hill’s Legislator course presented by Golf Surprize and Biolyte. The expansive property known for its breathtaking views includes three championship golf courses, each providing a different test in its own right. The Legislator winds its way up and down steep hills and embankments, catching views of the Alabama River as well as downtown Montgomery. “It’s probably one of the toughest tracks we’ll play all year,” says Life Member, Mike Genovese after playing a practice round on Sunday. “I’ve never played out here before, but it will definitely test all parts of your game, especially if the wind starts to pick up.” The thirty-five player field was met with wet conditions from a weekend of soaking rain for much of central Alabama – making the course a little more accessible than if it were dry and windy.
Thanks to our friends at Golf Surprize, players were treated with a side-game if they decided to opt-in at registration. Players who decided to take a chance on their skills were entered into a random drawing where they would be issued a target score and a lump sum of money ranging from $50 to $500. Target scores could be anywhere from four-under-par to four-over-par. “We are excited to introduce Golf Surprize to our players for today’s Stroke Play,” said Tournament Director, Wade Dockery. “This is the perfect event to introduce a new game for our PGA Professionals and give them a chance to earn some extra prize money – it just adds another level of excitement that everyone can partake in if they want.”
The day began with a shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. Bradley Ambler of Ol’ Colony Golf Course was able to capitalize on his front nine making three birdies and one bogey. He made the turn in two-under-par 34 and proceeded to remain steady on his back nine making only one birdie and eight pars to complete his round in three-under-par, 69. Meanwhile, Mike Genovese was also able to make three birdies and one bogey on his front nine but then went on a tear during the back nine making birdies on holes 13, 14, 15 and 17 to grind out a round of six-under-par, 66. Finally, Henry Westmoreland, PGA Associate at Pensacola Country Club, did all the right things on his front nine making birdies on holes 1, 2, 5 and 9 with no bogies. He made the turn in four-under-par 32 and would continue this trend on the back-nine making four more birdies and one bogey. This was good enough for a round of seven-under-par 65 and a one-shot victory over Mike Genovese. “Things have been trending,” says Henry who recently got past the local stage of U.S. Open qualifying before missing the cut in Final Qualifying at the Bears Club earlier in June. “It’s nice to see it all come together today after the top-five finishes that I’ve had over the first part of the season.”
Rounding out the top five were David Pilkington (Pensacola C.C.) with a round of two-under-par 70, and Dylan Shephard (FarmLinks G.C.), Todd McCorkle (Old Overton Club) and Rea Schuessler (Country Club of Mobile) all finishing in the tied for fifth spot with rounds of one-under-par 71.
The Section would like to thank Duane Sinkule with Golf Surprize and Hunter Bremer with Biolyte for their support of PGA Professionals and Associates in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. We are looking forward to an exciting few events coming up as the summer marches on. The next Section event will be hosted at Huntsville Country Club for the fourth Stroke Play Series event on Monday, July 12. Then to cap off the month of July, the Section is excited to bring back the Alabama Open which will be contested at Twin Bridges Golf Club in Gadsden July 23-25.
Media Contact: Hayden Lewis, PGA / hlewis@pgahq.com
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ABOUT THE ALABAMA-NW FLORIDA PGA
The Alabama – NW Florida PGA is one of 41 Sections that make up the PGA of America. Our Section is headquartered in the Birmingham suburb of Pelham, Alabama at Ballantrae Golf Club. Established in 1969, the Section consists of over 400 Members and Associates in the state of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The Section exists to support its Members who are the driving force to growing the sport and business of golf.