AGA Club Team Championship Finalists (L to R) Barry Stauffer, Craig Hennesy, Scott Carnahan, Scott Norris, Sherman Leach, and Kurt Fischer
Howie Tiger
Three PebbleCreek Men’s Golf Association (PCMGA) teams competed at the Arizona Golf Association (AGA) Club Team Championship Finals. The teams of Scott Carnahan & Scott Norris and Kurt Fischer & Sherman Leach competed in the all-age Gross/Net Division and the team of Craig Hennesy & Barry Stauffer competed in the Super Senior (70+) Division. This is the first time that three teams represented the PCMGA in the Finals.
The format was a 2-man scramble. There was a 6-drive minimum for each player. The championship final round was played at Corte Bella Golf Club on Dec. 3, 2024.
The AGA Club Team Championship qualifying process began on Sept. 5, in a local event held at our Eagle’s Nest golf course. Thirty-nine 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 & Sherman, Scott & Scott, and Kurt Eleam & Keith Clinton. The three super senior teams that advanced included Craig & Barry, Joe Bannon & Terry Smith, and Chris Aune & Pete Jacques.
All six PebbleCreek teams gave it their all and represented our community well at their respective Regionals, but only Kurt & Sherman, Scott & Scott, and Craig & Barry advanced to the finals. The two all-age teams’ Regional was held at the Wigwam Red Course in Litchfield Park on Nov. 13. Craig & Barry’s Regional was held at Oakwood CC in Sun Lakes on Oct. 12.
Regional results:
Shooting a net score of 63.52 (gross of 67 less handicap), Kurt & Sherman won low net in their flight. With four holes to play, they needed to turn it up. They closed strong and hit it close making 3 birdies in that stretch qualifying them for the Finals.
Shooting a net score of 62.73 (gross of 63 less handicap), Scott & Scott took 2nd low net in their flight. They also closed strong by making birdie on their last hole qualifying them for the Finals. The winner of their flight had shot a 59 gross score!
Shooting a net score of 65.36 (gross of 70 less handicap), Craig & Barry qualified in the Super Senior flight. The key to their success was Barry sinking a 25-foot putt from off the green on the first hole to get them started.
At the Finals at Corte Bella, only the teams that take Low Gross or Low Net in their respective flights are recognized. Our three teams battled mightily, but did not win. Even so, they relished the experience playing in the Finals and the opportunity to represent our club.
Congratulations to Scott & Scott, Kurt & Sherman, and Craig & Barry on their performance and representing PebbleCreek well! They appreciated the support from the PCMGA, which paid their entrance fees.