SUNBELT SENIOR TOUR: Pro-am kicks off 8th annual Yellow Hammer Open
Published 6:52 pm Tuesday, June 2, 2015
- David Lesnansky, Buddy Shear, Roger Rowland (pro) and Bill Ingram shot a 58 to secure their second straight pro-am win.
FAIRVIEW — Roger Rowland’s super-low 63 Tuesday at Chesley Oaks bode well for his familiar foursome in the pro-am portion of the Sunbelt Senior Tour’s eighth annual Yellow Hammer Open.
As for the 54 holes Wednesday through Friday that’ll decide the tournament champ, he’s hoping the momentum carries over.
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Rowland knows as well as anyone it doesn’t always work that way in golf.
“A lot of times when you shoot a low round like that, it’s hard to follow it up,” he said. “But we’ll do our best. I’ve got a little experience here.”
The same could be said for Rowland’s teammates. Buddy Shear, Bill Ingram and David Lesnansky have yet to miss a pro-am since the event became a staple in Fairview. It showed in their contributions to a 13-under 58 that clinched back-to-back first-place showings.
Rowland was also the group’s pro a year ago.
Shear was pleased with everyone’s effort but reserved his highest praise for Rowland.
“He shot 8-under on his own ball, so we helped him just a little bit,” he said with a laugh. “He’s the best putter I’ve ever seen. He’s phenomenal. We’ll see him on TV in a couple years.”
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Rowland mostly worked his way into the red on the putting surface and dropped another couple of strokes on a chip-in on hole No. 1. He said the latter shot came from the left side of the green, which is essentially straight downhill.
It was just that kind of day.
“The ball was going in from everywhere,” Rowland said. “It was good.”
As winners, Shear, Ingram and Lesnansky received Calloway drivers.
Bob Flannagan (pro), Mike Eddy, Terry Kent and Donnie Bradley took home Calloway fairway woods after emerging victorious from a scorecard playoff that settled second place.
Mike Beaver (pro), Kelly Freeman, Justin Chafin and Layne Rice also carded a 60, which came with a trio of Calloway putters.
For the first time in tournament history, course manager Cary Craig also handed out a fourth prize. Though Bo Blackwell (pro), Drew Wood, Ryan Castleberry and Ben Castleberry came in last with a 70, they were awarded Chesley Oaks umbrellas. Craig considered the foursome good luck charms because — for once — it didn’t rain during the pro-am.
As of Tuesday evening, the forecast doesn’t call for showers the rest of the week, either.
Tee times for Wednesday’s first round will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue through 9:10 a.m. The circuit’s wildly popular Tour Life, which includes bible study and fellowship, is slated for around 2 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend Tour Life, as well as each day’s competition.