2017 PCMGA Pro-Member Professionals – Winning Professionals
2017 PCMGA Pro-Member winning team, left to right: Bob, Mann, John Angus, John McCrickard and Howie Tiger
Howie Tiger
The PebbleCreek Men’s Golf Association held its inaugural Pro-Member golf tournament on Wednesday, September 27 at our Tuscany Falls Golf Course. Director of Golf, Jason Whitehill, brought the idea of a professional/amateur event to the PCMGA. He was instrumental in arranging for professional golfers from the Valley to play with PCMGA members in a fun and exciting event.
Each team was comprised of one professional and three PCMGA members. A total of 31 teams competed. The pros played from the black tees and the members played from the blue tees using the Palms/Lakes rotation. The pros played scratch (zero handicap) and the members played with their current USGA handicaps. All of our PebbleCreek professionals (Jason Whitehill, Ronnie Decker, Dave Vader and Reuben Rivera) participated as well as GM Bill Barnard and Reid/West Academy Instructor Dennis Downs.
Prior to the start of the tourney, golf professionals Chris Hantla and Dennis Downs demonstrated the use of the “arm-lock” method of putting. Matt Kuchar is the most notable tour pro who uses this method, where he locks the upper end of the putter grip along his forearm. The pros pointed out the difference between the “legal” and “illegal” set ups as stipulated by the recent USGA “anchor ban.” Chris is the local contact for the BOPLOCK custom-fitted putter which is designed for this method of putting.
The members and their professional teammates competed using a one gross/one net score format. The professionals also competed in a stroke play game.
Winners (score in parenthesis):1st place – Howie Tiger, John McCrickard, John Angus and Bob Mann* (123; 2nd place – Mike Romano, Roger Uherchik, Rand Hill and Andy Rauscher* (124; 3rd place – Bill Perkett, Dave Korba, Ed Bobigian and Chris Dompier* (125); 4th place – Anthony Dilger, Norm Munger, James Seith and Tim Ramos* (127); Tied 5th place – John Curtin, Skip Holmes, Vince Tobin and Justin Surat* (128); Tied 5th place – Brad Johnston, Jerry Monk, Bruce Lane and Jason Magee* (128); Tied 5th place – Wayne Gearig, Bill Walenda, John Shaw and Chris Hantla* (128); Tied 8th place – Bob Burghdorf, Nick Castiglione, Paul Metivier and Corey Knight* (129); Tied 8th place – Michael Self, Brian Rosenbloom, Clint Hull and Dennis Downs* (129);*
Golf Professional
Andy Rauscher won the professional stroke play competition with a great score of 8-under par 64.
Many thanks to the food and beverage staff for providing a great meal after play in the Tuscany ballroom. Also many thanks to Jason for initiating and organizing this newest PCMGA event.