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THE GTA AM TOUR GETS THE SEASON UNDERWAY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STOP

 

 

 

Myrtle Beach, SC (March 30,2014) - The GTA AM Tour officially kicked-off its 11th Anniversary season today down south in the Myrtle Beach, marking the third time the Tour has included an international stop in its Tour schedule. Barefoot Resort and Golf, located in the heart of the Lowcountry of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, played host to today's event the Myrtle Beach Classic. Twenty-one, winter weary, passionate golfers made the trek south including the ten winners of the 2013 Myrtle Beach Order of Merit. After a long and cold winter they were  looking for some sun and fun, however, and unfortunately,Mother Nature had other plans. The weather for the week was less than what everyone expected: temperatures were 11-15�F below normal, with daytime highs only reaching between 52-56�F. Tour players did spend some time, but not the full amount they expected, shaking the winter rust off in several rounds throughout the week and were set to do battle in a two day 36 hole event, over the weekend of March 29 and 30. Unfortunately, on Saturday, with winds reaching upwards of 60kph and an inch of torrential rain, players would be pulled off the course and would have to make it a marathon day, on Sunday, playing 36-holes, for the first event of the 2014 season. For those who made the journey south, they had one thing on their minds: score well and earn the valuable Myrtle Beach Order of Merit points that were up for grabs, getting their season started off right.

 

Tour Sponsor Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday was our host for what turned out to be a week long golf vacation, full of golf and GTA AM Tour style fun and friendship that saw players from all flights enjoying each other's company in the pre-tournament rounds. Barefoot Resort and Golf is a golfing destination unlike any other, complete with four of the East coast's leading 18-hole championship layouts, designed by golf's most inspired architects, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Every top golf publication has honoured Barefoot Resort's all four award-winning courses designed by the legendary quartet, including Golf Digest placing Barefoot Resort on its list, Best Places to Play. Barefoot Resort and Golf offers great accommodations, a wide selection of dining options, in an outstanding location, only two miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Again, this week would not have been possible without the fantastic support of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

 

For the tournament, in the Championship Flight, players were set to do battle to the end. The first 18 holes were played on the Barefoot Resort's, Fazio course. With high winds blowing and cool temperatures, the course showed its teeth and the scores reflected the challenges presented. John Husband (Burlington ON) would enter the second round of the day, to be played on the Norman Course, with a one shot lead over Peter Willis (Aurora ON) having shot a round of 79. In the afternoon round, the two would continue to have an interesting seesaw battle on the Norman course and, when the round was done, the two would be tied with a total of 163. With the sun setting, and a long day of golf in the books, both players opted to determine the winner by matching scorecards. Peter, would capture the win having shot an 83 in the second round while John shot an 84. Finishing in third place, was Denis Murphy (Oshawa ON) marking his day with 90, 81 for a two round score of 171.

 

In the A-Flight, Doug Remmer (Douro Drummer,ON) showed that, even after a long winter, he still has what it takes to get it done. Doug finished where he left off last season, on top and taking home the hardware. Playing steady golf all day, Doug carded two rounds of 83, for a 36-hole total of 166 giving him a win by ten strokes. Fighting it out for second and third, the Tour team's own Marshall Hoare and Jason Gendron, who both put up a good fight but it would be Marshall taking second place, scoring 83 and 93 for a two round total of 176 over Jason who scored 93, 87 for a two round total 180.

 

In the B-Flight, it would come down to experience under pressure and, with familiar names battling it out, it would take all 36 holes to determine today's winner. After the first round, the leaderboard was shaping up nicely with Andrew Mitchell finishing with an 84 and a four stroke lead, but, he would see his lead slowly slip away in the afternoon. It would take an incredible comeback round from Michael Alcott to claim his first victory of the season. Alcott, who started his day off a little rocky, finishing round one sitting in fifth place and 12 strokes back from round one leader Andrew Mitchell, really figured out his swing in the afternoon's second round. He improved by  improving by fifteen strokes over his rebounding back with an 81 for a two round total 177. Finishing second, and only one stroke back, was Brett Parry who would be going home thinking how close he had come, finishing the final two holes of his day, six over par to give him back to back 89's for a 36-hole total 178. Alone in third, and also keeping things interesting, was Mark Armatage, who started the second round 4 shots back, shooting 88 in round one. Armatage continued to play steady golf in the afternoon, heading into his final hole tied for top spot and just needing to finish with a par. However, it was not meant to be as he would double bogie the 

18th, finishing with a round of 91 to score a two round total of 179.  

 

In the C-Flight, it would come down to two players battling it out over the 36-hole competition. As they have been the past 2 season, Mark Matusiak and Krish Nair, who have built a friendship through competition, would once again be embroiled to determine today's winner. It would be Krish besting Mark, heading into the second round with a three shot lead as they would finish 96, 99 respectively. Playing the second round, Krish would not ease up and improved on his day, finishing with a 94 while Mark would hit a rough patch and finished his day with 100, giving Krish a nine stroke victory to give him his first victory on the season.

 

Click here to view THE RESULTS from today's event the Myrtle Beach Classic, at Barefoot Resort and Golf.

 

Thanks to those of you who joined us Sunday April 6th, for the official 11th season kickoff party which was held at The Mill Street Brewery in the heart of Toronto's Distillery District. This was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old golf acquaintances and meet the Tour friends. A GREAT time was had by all in attendance..! 

 

ABOUT THE GTA AM TOUR:  The GTA AM Tour is owned and operated by Canadian Golf Tours Inc. and is sponsored by BMO World Elite TaylorMade Golf CanadaMazda CanadaECCO ShoesMill Street Brewery, Sundog EyewearNature ValleyPixelcarveProdigy HeadwearP.J. Dermody Insurance BrokersJoshua KingsmillLG Electronics Canada Inc., Privileged PlayLush, Bowker, Aird BarristersMyrtle Beach Golf HolidayPacific LinksBright Blue WaveParadym Tech, Golf Away Tours, DymaHonsberger Physiotherapy and Biomechanics ClinicCapture Scratch and The Golf Lab. Tournament rules officials are organized through the Royal Canadian Golf Association.

 

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