Rick Boyles (left) and Wayne Gearig at AGA Club Team Finals at Las Sendas
Howie Tiger
Rick Boyles and Wayne Gearig competed at the Arizona Golf Association (AGA) Club Team Championship Finals. They competed in the Super Senior (65+) Division. The format was a 2-man scramble. There was a 6-drive minimum for each player. The championship final round was played at Las Sendas Golf Club in Mesa on Dec. 1.
The AGA Club Team Championship qualifying process began on Sept. 5 in a local event held at our Eagle’s Nest golf course. Thirty-three teams competed for low gross and low net with three teams in the all-age flight and three teams in the super senior flight advancing to a regional qualifier (several locations offered). The three all-age teams that advanced included Kurt Fischer & Sherman Leach, Scott Carnahan & Scott Norris, and Chris Bernard & Ed Salko. The three super senior teams that advanced included Rick & Wayne, Steve Annable & Stan Limjoco, and Kevin Sullivan & Bill Schaffer.
All six PebbleCreek teams gave it their all and well represented our community at their respective Regionals, but only Rick & Wayne advanced to the finals. Their Regional was held at Mountain Brook Golf Club in Gold Canyon on Nov. 14.
For the Super Senior Division of the Regionals, Mountain Brook played about 5,400 yards. Rick and Wayne competed against 11 other teams from around the state. The temps were nice and the course conditions were remarkably good given the recent heavy rains in the Miami-Globe area. They said the grounds keeping staff did an unbelievable job making the course playable.
Rick & Wayne played steady as they satisfied the 6-drive minimum requirement in just 13 holes. They made just one bogey. Golf Genius was used for scorekeeping. As such, they were able to monitor their scoring position in their flight. Coming into their last hole, they were close to the lead. They focused hard and made a great birdie! They finished second gross (one shot behind) and second net. Good enough to qualify for the Finals!!
At the Finals at Las Sendas, 50 two-man teams competed in several different flights. Rick & Wayne not only battled against 9 other Super Senior teams, they, along with the entire field, suffered through a 7+ hour round! Apparently, the tournament field did not have the entire course to themselves.
Rick & Wayne shot a respectable 5-under par gross which included 2 bogeys. The highlight of their round was an eagle on the par 5 10th hole. Wayne hit a good drive. Rick then hit a terrific second shot close to the green and then Wayne chipped it in! With their score, they finished 3rd for gross and 4th for net.
Even though they did not win, they were proud to represent PebbleCreek in the Finals competing against players from all over Arizona. They also appreciated the support from the PCMGA, which paid their entrance fees.