The first local event of 2022 for the Tennessee East Chapter took place at the Three Ridges Golf Club in Knoxville, TN. 60 Players from a variety of chapters were welcomed with blue, sunny skies, with temps reaching the mid 70s. Scoring conditions were tough as the players faced a 15-25mph wind throughout the day.
Div 1- James Anderson carried a one stroke lead over to the back nine over Tim Saunders and Matt Epperson. It was Saunders who would prevail as the champion as he shot an even par 36 on the inward nine to post a 2 over par, 74. “I only hit 6 greens in regulation, but I got up and5 down all day,” Saunders said. Anderson and Epperson tied for 2nd with 4 over, 76s.
Div 2- It was a crowded leaderboard all day in the 25-player field as several players held the lead on the front 9. Tour Vet Johnny Pierce held the lead after his even par front nine. The back nine was a different story. A couple of double bogeys got Pierce and he ended up in a tie for 5th. It was Chris Bloebaum who came away with the win as he used a pair of 38s on each side for a solid 76. Chris was the only player in the field to shoot a sub 80 round in the tough scoring conditions. He took home a 4-shot victory over Jerry Burrel, Lance Fox, and Jesse Hunt who tied for 2nd.
Div 3- Drama was word of the day for D3. When Cory Ryan’s wedge found the bottom of the hole on par 5 17th from 100 yards out, he had a two-shot lead over Michael Ridge Jr heading the 18th. It was Ridge who would deliver the blow on the last hole as he made 30-footer from the front of the green for birdie. Ryan had a 5-footer for bogey to force a playoff but it was not meant to be. Ridge’s 11 over, 83 gave him a one-shot victory over
Ryan, Bryson Peyton, and Mark Brouk.
Div 4- Dale Dantzler handled the windy conditions better than anyone else all day and cruised to a 4-shot victory over Rodney Oden. Dantzler used a 5 over, 41 on the front to prevail as he ended up shooting a 12 over, 84.
Div 5- Mike Jones of the Virginia Capitol tour made the drive down I-81 to play and I bet he’s glad he did. Jones’ 20-over, 92 was 3 better than Johnny Kidd’s 95. This was Kidd’s first ever APT event and good showing!
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Three Ridges Winners
Division 1 Champion
Tim Saunders
Division 2 Champion
Chris Bloebaum
Division 3 Champion
Michael Ridge Jr.
Division 4 Champion
Dale Dantzler
Division 5 Champion
Mike Jones
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New for 2023, players have the ability to become a Folds of Honor Partner! Your membership includes everything in Player Badge plus a $75 donation to Folds of Honor; a nonprofit organization that helps provide the families of fallen and disabled service members educational scholarships. As a Folds of Honor Partner, you ALSO get access to exclusive special events, access to purchase cobranded APT/FOH swag and an exclusive discount for the APT Pro shop.
We crushed our goal of $75k!
