...Carolina Golf News Line

Triad Amateur Tour Launches New Season on March 3, 2007 

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Local golfers will again have a tour to call their own as the popular Amateur Golf Tour returns to the Triad with an impressive schedule for 2007. The AGT hosts a lineup of 27 tournaments beginning March 3 at Sapona Country Club in Lexington and concluding Oct. 6 at Longleaf Country Club in Southern Pines.

The tour is for amateurs of all ages and abilities. Members are placed in one of four flights based on handicaps. Flights are: Championship (0-5 handicap), A Flight (6-10), B Flight (11-15) and C Flight (16-21).

Tournament format is gross stroke play, with USGA rules in effect. A software program tracks each player’s handicap to ensure participants are placed in their proper flight.

Local tour director Bruce Hallenbeck has assembled a schedule of 27 tourneys on some of the area’s premier courses. In addition to the opening and closing venues, tour stops include: Pinewood Country Club, The Challenge, Bryan Park and Bermuda Run (West). All events take place on Saturday.

“The tour provides everyday golfers a chance to compete like the pros,” said Hallenbeck. “You don’t have to be a superstar to join the Amateur Golf Tour.”

At each event, the top three golfers in all flights win gift certificates from any Carolina Custom Golf in Winston-Salem, Raleigh or Charlotte, while all participants earn points toward a championship in their flight.

Golfers may join the tour at any time for an $80 membership fee. That fee includes a gift bag and tour packet, and allows members to play in Triad area tournaments, as well as other AGT events around the country.

Entry fees for Triad area tournaments range from $70-$75. Those fees include cart and green fees, range balls and prizes, plus closest-to-the-pin and long drive awards. Results and points standings are posted within 48 hours at: www.amateurgolftour.net.

Golfers who finish in the top 10 in points in their flight receive invitations to the 2007 Amateur Golf Tour Championship, Oct. 27-28 at Palmetto Dunes Resort in Hilton Head, S.C.

For info, call Bruce Hallenbeck at 919-499-9749, or visit www.amateurgolftour.net.