GAINESVILLE - Jim Arendt couldn't have asked for a better way to conclude the inaugural Chicopee Woods Players Championship tournament on Tuesday.
"The weather was great, and the staff had the course looking as good as it could be," said Arendt, Chicopee's director of golf, after playing host to the Georgia PGA event for the first time.
The play - especially the finish - was pretty riveting too.
Watkinsville's Jeff Hull concluded a stellar two days and 54 holes of golf at Chicopee by pulling out a one-hole playoff win over Russ Davis to clinch the title and a $3,000 payday.
Hull and Davis each finished regulation tied at 13-under par with two-day scores of 203 -- golfers played 27 holes per round at Chicopee's three nine-hole courses: The School, The Village and The Mill.
And while Hull couldn't clinch the win in regulation, missing a three-foot putt on The School's No. 9 hole, he made up for it in the playoff.
Playing again on The School's No. 9 - this time in sudden death - Hull reached the green in three shots on the par 5 hole and putted within inches on his fourth shot. Davis, meanwhile, dropped his third shot into a water hazard. Davis stayed in contention, reaching the green on his fourth shot, but pushed his par putt attempt wide before conceding the title to Hull.
"I played really well both days - I just putted better yesterday [Monday]," Hull said. "I missed a three-footer to win it [in regulation], so I thought Russ had a bit of an advantage in the playoff. Fortunately for me he hit a bad shot."
Neither player hit many bad shots during the two-day event.
Hull roared out of the gates, carding a 9-under 99 over 27 holes on Monday. Yet Davis kept pace, firing a 7-under 101.
Each continued their strong play on Tuesday, with Davis pulling into a tie with Hull after sinking three birdie putts on his last nine holes.
Yet Hull's birdie on the No. 3 of The School set the Watkinsville resident up to win in regulation with a birdie putt on No. 9 - a putt that he just missed, sending the competition into sudden death.
"I like coming into the last nine holes, knowing where I'm at and having a chance to win," said Hull, who won three Georgia PGA events in 2007 and was named the tour's Player of the Year.
Hull said he also liked the set up of Chicopee's 27-hole round format.
"It's completely unique; it's the only tournament like this in the state," said Hull, who earned his first victory of 2008 with the win at Chicopee. "I really like it though. It gives you a chance to keep going if you're playing well."
According to Arendt, Georgia's golfers will have a chance to continue this style of play next season.
"This year really gave us something to build on," Arendt said. "We have to work some things out with our sponsors, but we fully intend to do this again next year."
That's news that should make golfers like Hull happy.
"I've played up here several times," said Hull. "And I still say this is the best-kept secret for a public golf course in Georgia."
-- NOTES: Nicholas Cowper finished as the tournment's top amateur, carding a 3-under 213 during the tournament, tying for 12th. ... Chicopee Woods PGA golf professional Greg Lee finished tied for 10th at the event with a 4-under 212. ... Dahlonega's Jordan Arnold carded a 3-under 213, finishing tied for 12th.
Friday
April 19th, 2024
6:26PM
