MONTGOMERY, AL (July 24, 2019) – The 2019 Alabama Open Presented by Yamaha Golf Car Company was one for the books! Over eighty players from across the Section convened on Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery to play for the state open title. A different set up than what players have been used to the past three years, Arrowhead Country Club requires accuracy off the tee and around the greens with its traditional, tree-lined layout.
Round one began at 7:30 AM Monday and it was Brandon Godwin of Prattville who got off to a hot start firing an eight-under par round of 63. Godwin was able to birdie his last three holes to take the early clubhouse lead. Following Godwin was Wade Duke of Creola with a nearly flawless six-under par 65 and finally Wesley Hunter of Mobile filed in closely behind with an equally impressive round of a five-under par 66.
Round two was met with overcast skies and higher chances of rain and thunderstorms throughout the day. After a few sprinkles and showers in the morning the skies cleared and all players were able to finish their rounds as scheduled. Godwin backed up to the field with a one-over par 72 while Scott Strohmeyer of Auburn followed his first round 67 with a 66. Cam Norman of Greenville also posted a second round score of 66 and was able to position himself nicely going in to the final day. At the conclusion of the second round, it was Strohmeyer who sat atop the leaderboard at nine-under par holding a one-shot lead over Norman and Duke.
Round three gave way to sunny skies and lower temperatures (and lower humidity) to make it feel almost October-ish – with it came gusty winds and a firmer golf course. The field of eighty-two was cut to exactly forty players to close out the tournament. After finishing his first seven holes at even par, Godwin went on an absolute tear making birdie on nine of his last eleven holes finishing with a flawless nine-under par 62. Even though Strohmeyer was able to post another solid round of 67 it was still not enough to overtake Godwin’s incredible streak of birdies. Godwin would finish at sixteen-under par and a comfortable three-shot lead over Strohmeyer to take the title and the $5,000 payday.
In the run for Low Amateur it was Tyler Hitchner who took the honor with a three-day total of six-under par 207 and a tie of eighth place. This is Hitchner’s third year in a row to receive Low Amateur Honors in the Alabama Open.
The Alabama – NW Florida PGA would like to extend its sincerest thanks to John Cargill, PGA General Manager, and Rod Dyer, PGA Head Golf Professional, and the rest of the Arrowhead Country Club staff for hosting our players, staff and guests the entire week. Also a huge thanks to Jeff Jungers with Yamaha Golf Car Company for the continued support of the Alabama – NW Florida PGA Section and the Alabama Open.
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ABOUT YAMAHA GOLF CAR COMPANY
Yamaha is a leading manufacturer of musical instruments and high quality audio/visual products, and one of the largest producer of Motor Sports products in the world. Yamaha’s product lines have expanded to include boats, unmanned helicopters and industrial robots.
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.