2001 GSGA-GPGA Challenge Match

Pros Edge Amateurs at Divots Challenge Cup

 

ALPHARETTA, GA - Cold and blustery conditions as well as see-saw action highlighted play as the Georgia Section, PGA professionals edged the Georgia State Golf Association amateurs 14-10 in the final round of the 33rd Annual GSGA-GPGA Challenge Cup sponsored by Divots Sportswear. This event, which has been contested since 1962, was held at the Golf Club of Georgia's Creekside Course in Alpharetta March 18-19.

 

The weather was considerably worse than yesterday's pleasant conditions and could have played a factor in the up and down nature of the matches. Today's play featured 16 singles matches. The two teams started the day tied with four points each after splitting eight four-ball matches. The professionals jumped out to an early lead winning three out of the first four matches. In what could have been the deciding points, the next three matches split All Square. Stephen Keppler of Marietta CC fought back in his match with Jay Childs of Kennesaw to salvage half a point. Keppler was four down after 12 holes and, in fact, Childs missed a seven-foot birdie putt to close him out on the 15th hole.

In another rollercoaster match, John Godwin of Bull Creek GC birdied the final hole to grab half a point from Jim Stuart of Macon after being four down in the match. Godwin was down four holes after six and fought back to 2 up after 12 before needing his birdie to end the match All Square.

The matches pit the state's best amateur players against the state's best professionals every other year. The team representing the Georgia State Golf Association is comprised of the top amateur golfers including four seniors from the past two years as determined by the GSGA's Championship Committee. The team representing the Georgia Section, PGA is comprised of the top eleven players on the Divots Player of the Year points list, the top four seniors, and one touring professional. In 1997, the trophy that is presented to the winning team was re-named in honor of Billy Peters, past president of the GSGA and tireless volunteer official for both organizations.

With the victory the Georgia Section, PGA retains the trophy they reclaimed in 1999. The biennial competition now stands with the Georgia Section, PGA having won 19 times, the Georgia State Golf Association 12 times, with one match ending in a tie and the results of one match uncertain.