Around the Green

South Team Wins Texas Shootout

BRYAN – The South Team won the 2014 Texas Shootout, 39.5 to 32.5, after they overcame a two-point deficit headed into the Sunday Singles matches against the North Team at the year-end team match play competition. Strong play from start to finish propelled Captain Mike Booker’s squad to their fourth title in five years. This year’s Ryder Cup-style matches were hosted at Miramont Country Club in Bryan.
 
Jess Bonneau, a South Team mid-amateur, began the charge Sunday morning when he took 2.5 of a possible three points in the opening Singles match versus Aaron Hickman. John Hunter and Chris Causey each collected two points in their matches against Josh Irving and North Captain John Bearrie, respectively. A strong 3-0 win for Brian Noonan against Ted Waldrip continued the South’s momentum.
 
Seniors Mike Booker and Bob Kearney each hauled in 2.5 points in their respective matches against the North team’s Mike Peck and Ken Coutant. Richard Hageman’s win over Jerry Hudgins collected two more points for the South, while the North Team’s Hollis Sullivan picked up 2.5 points against Ron Kilby. The South senior members earned 7.5 points to the North’s 4.5 points.
 
Rounding out the mid-amateur matches were Trevor Hyde, who registered 2.5 points versus Lewis Stephenson. Brandon Burke and Rob Couture’s match was halved at 1.5 points each.  The North collected 2.5 points from Brandon Gibson and two more from Zach Atkinson in their matches against Randy Lance and Tony Soerries, respectively.
 
The North Team earned 10.5 points in the foursomes, 8.5 in four-ball and 13.5 in the singles. The South Team earned 7.5 points in foursomes, 9.5 in four-ball and 22.5 in singles.
 
The format for the Shootout Matches pit the top eight mid-amateurs and four seniors from the north region against the south region in foursome, four-ball and singles matches. The Nassau scoring system allows for a team to earn one point for the front nine, one point for the back nine and one point for the overall match.
 
The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the membership and staff at Miramont Country Club for their gracious hospitality in hosting this year’s Texas Shootout.