Around the Green
The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.
Deerwood Club to host 2013 South Amateur
The 2013 Texas Golf Association’s South Regional Championship schedule concludes with the South Amateur Championship. The year’s final chance to earn Regional Player of the Year points will be played at Kingwood’s Deerwood Club from August 9-11. Familiar to numerous national qualifying events, this will be Deerwood’s first TGA regional championship.
The format for the event is 54 holes of stroke play. Entries are open to male amateur golfers residing in the South Texas region as defined by the Sections of the Texas PGA (31st parallel, Salado TX and south is the break point). Applicants must have a certified GHIN Handicap Index of 8.4 or less and meet the requirements listed in the “TGA Policies and Procedures”.
Deerwood has a rich tradition of hosting high profile events in their 31 year history. A two-time host of the Texas Amateur, 1986 and 1999, Deerwood has also been the host site for various USGA qualifying rounds, including the US Senior Open and US Open. Deerwood has also had the privilege of being one of the host sites for different stages of PGA Tour qualifying. Most notably they were one of the courses used in the Warner Brothers movie “Tin Cup” starring Kevin Costner.
Designed by Joe Finger, Ken Dye and Byron Nelson, Deerwood opened in September 1982. With Lake Houston coming into play throughout the layout, Deerwood has placed a premium on accuracy both off of the tee as well as with one’s iron play. Their most recognizable hole would be the 4th hole, which was used at the 18th hole of the US Open in “Tin Cup”. The 4th hole has also received recognition by the Dallas Morning News as one of the toughest 18 holes in Texas.
The 2012 South Amateur Championship, conducted at Sealy’s River Ridge Golf Club, saw Katy’s Albert Miner claim his first South Amateur Championship. Miner began his final round two strokes behind the leader, only to rally to win by one stroke over Sugar Land’s Joey Rippel. Miner was one of four Sam Houston State University Bearkat golfers in the field.
