Alcoa, TN – The Foothills Invitational was a great success in its inaugural season. Most of that success stemmed from the great shape that Green Meadow Country Club was in. With greens rolling smooth and mountain backgrounds, GMCC provided the players with a good test over the two-day tournament. Professionals and amateurs competed in an individual stroke-play event with several divisions up for grabs.
There was not a cloud in the sky on Day 1 as players tried to beat the scorching heat. Mike Vance and Kevin Snell got off to an early lead in the Overall Regular Division, each firing a 5-under 67. Their rounds were wildly different with Vance getting off to a slow start by bogeying 2 of the first 3 holes and Snell being steady the whole round. Vance shook off those early bogies and made 7 birdies while Snell played bogey-free golf with 5 birdies. Greg Wyatt, PGA, Casey Flenniken, PGA, Ryan Botts, and Michael Bradshaw (a) trailed by one after the first Round by each shooting a 68.
Ron Waters (a) controlled the Overall Senior Division on Day 1 with the best round of the day, a 6-under 66. He used 7 birdies and one bogey to take the lead. Jared Melson, PGA shot a 3-under 69 to go into round 2 three back.
Day 2 was another hot day and provided some drama at the end. Mike Vance and Kevin Snell teed off tied for the lead with several others chasing close behind. Vance would match the heat early by getting off to a hot start with 4 birdies in a row on holes 2 thru 5. He stumbled a bit on the back-9 with two bogies to bring Greg Wyatt and Michael Bradshaw (a) back into contention. Vance came to the 18th tee tied with Wyatt and Bradshaw at 8-under. He went on to birdie the tough Par-4 18th hole to give him the win. Snell would shoot an uncharacteristic 79 to fall out of contention.
Ron Waters (a) would also have to fend off a low round to secure a victory. Tony Green (a) made 7 birdies to 2 bogies to finish at 5-under. Waters was able to right the ship of his up and down round to complete the victory. His even-par 72 would earn him the win by one stroke.
There were several Divisions that earned money in the Foothills Invitational. Mike Vance won the Overall and Regular Professional Division, Jared Melson, PGA won the Senior Professional Division, Ron Waters won Overall Senior and Senior Amateur, and Michael Bradshaw won the Regular Amateur Division.
The True Temper Professional Skins game had five winners on Day 1. Ryan Botts had 2 skins while Braxton Hunter, PGA, Greg Wyatt, PGA, Kevin Snell each had one. There were 3 skins awarded on Day 2. Greg Wyatt, PGA would win 2 and Scott Masters, PGA won 1.
The Tennessee PGA would like the thank Jeff Curtis, PGA, Scott Wilson, PGA and their staff at Green Meadow Country Club for making this tournament possible. Another thank you to the presenting sponsor Rick McGill of Rick McGill Toyota for sponsoring and allowing this tournament to happen.