E.A. Sports Today

Sweet at Sugarloaf

Local team of Rogers, Szuch, Wigington, McGatha win Oakley again

By East Alabama Sports Today

DULUTH, Ga. — Players in Northeast Alabama know the depth of the talent pool in Calhoun County golf, and now they’re getting used to seeing it here.

The team of Cane Creek pro Kenny Szuch, three-time Calhoun County Player of the Year Gary Wigington, two-time Player of the Year Jeremy McGatha and Matt Rogers successfully defended their title in the Oakley AMG National Tournament at TPC Sugarloaf Monday.

They shot 14-under-par 58 and won by four shots. They’ve been contenders for the title every year they’ve played in the event.

“Talk at the scoreboard was ‘Is that 58 for real?'” Szuch said. “They tipped it out, pinned it sadistically, but we wanted to defend — and we did. Next year, hopefully, a three-peat.”

Szuch reported everyone on the team contributed with tee shots, approaches and clutch putting. One of the highlights was their choice to take a greenside bunker shot on the par-3 No. 11 instead of a long putt and Wigington holed it.

They birdied eight of the nine holes on the back nine.

“It’s a good tournament to win; it was fun,” McGatha said. “We’re going to be going back next year to try to get No. 3.”

Here are the results of last weekend’s Braxton Doss Tournament at Pine Hill CC:

First flight

-21 — David Martin, Norris Ray, Scotty Grimes, T.J. McGatha
-18 — Jerry Irwin, Vernon Marcoullier, Billy Thompson, Allen Mangham

Second flight

-10 — x-Ben Padgett, Charles Padgett, Carter Gable, Derek Webb
-10 — LaDon Rogers, Darren Allen, Greg Maddox, Chris Loveless
x-Won a scorecard playoff with eagle on No. 17

Closest to the pin: Norris Turner (No. 3), Jamey Davis (No. 4), Don Maddox (No. 16)
Longest drive: Billy Thompson (No. 5)

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