2010 Southeastern Challenge Match

Florida Holds On to Win Southeastern Challenge Match
Georgia's five-match win streak halted with 2 ½-point loss

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. – The host team Florida scored 14 ½ points in the final-round of three-ball matches to build upon their lead and win the 13th Southeastern Challenge Match with 25 points to Georgia's 22 ½ and Alabama's 15 ½. The event took place at Lost Tree Club, October 16-17.

Georgia scored 13 points in the final-round, but it wasn't enough to pull ahead after they trailed Florida by a point, 10 ½ to 9 ½, after the first day of competition. In Sunday's matches, three players scored their maximum two points for Team Georgia: Mark Strickland of Woodstock swept his matches with a 2-up win over his Alabama opponent, and a 3-and-2 win against Florida; Greg Kennedy of Duluth finished 4 and 3 against Alabama and 1 up versus Florida; and Jack Hall of Sea Island won 4 and 3 over Alabama and 4 and 2 over Florida.

Larry Clark of Kingston and Doug Hanzel of Savannah each contributed 1 ½ points on the final day. Clark finished all square versus Alabama and posted a 3-and-1 victory over Florida, while Hanzel won 5 and 4 over Alabama and went all square with Florida.

Also tallying wins for Georgia on Sunday were Spencer Sappington of Milton (1 up over Alabama), Adam Cooper of Columbus (3 and 2 over Florida), Tevis Upton of Acworth (1 up over Alabama) and David Noll Jr. of Dalton (4 and 2 over Alabama).

Florida's victory halts Georgia's five-match winning streak in this event and once again evens the series among the two states. Both Florida and Georgia own six wins apiece, while Alabama has one victory. The 2012 event returns to Georgia, with a date and site to be announced.

The biennial competition features 12-man teams (eight mid-amateurs, four seniors) from Georgia, Florida and Alabama competing over two days in a format similar to that of the Ryder Cup. Players were selected by their respective state associations based on recent performance. Day one consists of four-ball and foursome matches (two against two, playing alternate shot). The format on the final day will be three-ball match play. One point is awarded to the winning team for each match. The Southeastern Challenge Match began in 1989 and was held annually until 1997, except 1992-1993 when no matches were held.

Total Points: Florida – 25, Georgia – 22 ½, Alabama – 15 ½
Round One Points (Four-Ball Matches): Alabama – 4 ½, Florida – 3, Georgia – 1 ½
Round Two Points (Foursomes): Georgia – 8, Florida –7 ½, Alabama – 2 ½
Round Three Points (Three-Ball Matches): Florida –14 ½, Georgia – 13, Alabama – 8 ½