2012 Billy Peters Cup

Georgia PGA Wins Billy Peters Cup Matches, 16-8
GSGA's comeback attempt falls short on day two

ATLANTA, Ga. – For the second consecutive year, the Georgia PGA wins the biennial Billy Peters Cup Matches, 16-8, at Capital City Club-Brookhaven. After winning four-straight matches in the series (2003, '05, '07, '09) the GSGA have now dropped the last two as their bid for a comeback came up short this week.

On the day, the GSGA won five singles matches, halved two and lost nine, equaling a GPGA 10, GSGA 6 day-two score.

Mark Strickland of Woodstock earned the GSGA's first point of the day with a win over Matthew Evans of the GPGA, 2 and 1. Strickland birdied holes 15, 16 and 17 to clinch the victory. Scott Weeks of Savannah won his match, 2 and 1, over Rodger Hogan of the GPGA. David Noll, Jr., of Dalton and Justin Johnson of Canton also each earned a point for the GSGA with wins over David Potts of the GPGA, 2 and 1, and Michael Parrott of the GPGA, 7 and 6, respectively. Johnson eagled the par 5, 12th hole to clinch his match. In the last singles match to finish, Chase Jones of Cartersville defeated Greg Lee of the GPGA, 1 up.

Zane Goldthorp of Tucker earned a half point for the GSGA as his match with Georgia professional Tommy Brannen finished all square. Billy Mitchell of Roswell also earned a half point for Team GSGA as his match with Georgia professional Winston Trively finished all square.

Georgia professional Stephen Keppler defeated Jack Hall of Sea Island, 1 up, in the opening singles match for the professional's first point of day two. Down two with three holes to play, Hall claimed holes 16 and 17 to bring the match back to all square with one to play, where the match was then decided.

Travis Steed of Macon fell to Georgia professional Russ Davis, 4 and 3. Bobby Brent III of Columbus dropped his match, 4 and 3, to Shawn Koch of the GPGA. Mark Sweeney of Monroe fell to Georgia professional Brian Dixon, 6 and 5, as did Matt Russell of Dunwoody, falling to Bill Murchison of the GPGA, 4 and 3.

In the senior division matches, Sonny Skinner of the GPGA defeated Bob Royak of Alpharetta, 4 and 3, Doug Hanzel of Savannah fell to Craig Stevens of the GPGA, 1 up, Don Marsh of Johns Creek came up short to Georgia professional Danny Elkins, 2 and 1, and Dick Van Leuvan of Roswell dropped his match to Bob Burk of the GPGA, 2 up.

The win by the Georgia PGA Section brings the Billy Peters Cup Matches all-time series to 21 ½ - 16 ½, in favor of the professionals.

The Billy Peters Cup Matches, formerly known as the GSGA-GPGA Challenge Cup, changed its name in 2007 to honor Peters' contributions to the game. Peters, of Blakely, is a former president of the Georgia State Golf Association and honorary vice president of the Georgia Section PGA. He was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in 1993. This competition began in 1962 and was held annually until 1987 when it became a biennial event. The GSGA has captured the last four matches but trails in the all-time series 21 ½ – 16 ½.