WASHINGTON -- Building on its success as the premier Pro-Net Tour in the Mid-Atlantic, the Tournament Golf Association of America (TGAA) is proud to announce William Snider as their 2009 Tour Champion.
Congratulations to Mr. Bill Snider first time major winner in this his seventh season on tour. Bill posted a winning score of NET SIX OVER PAR (219) at the PB DYE design Virginia Oaks Golf Club in Gainesville, VA. Bill finished four strokes ahead of our second place finisher, John Beadle, and was victorious over a field of 42 other TGAA Pro-Net golfers.
Day One saw warm temperatures and breezy conditions, as temps hovered in the mid/upper 70s and steady winds 10-15mph with gusts 20+. The event was delayed by one hour causing excited and nervous golfers to sit around and think more about their opening tee shot and the three days and 54 holes ahead. At the end of round one, there were only two golfers under par net. The average net score at the end of the first round was 82.8 with tenth place sitting at 76, five over par net. We heard many returning players talking to those who were playing in their first Tour Championship and shared the old adage - "You can't win the event on the first day but you can lose it." As in any multiple day event the goal is to stay within striking range and shooting close to net even par is always a good position to be.
Day Two saw cooler temperatures, as overnight rain and a cool front brought a steady light drizzle, temps in the 60s and 10-15mph winds. Though the course scoring average was within 0.1 stroke of the average net score from day one (82.9), the course seemed to play much tougher and only one round posted at one under par net. Many players now were within striking distance of the lead as the leaders had posted rounds very different from day one. More than half the field was within 10 strokes of the leader on Day-2 and all that was required was that those on the bottom improve by 5 strokes and those leading drop 5 strokes and we would have a real shootout for the winner of the 11th TGAA Tour Champion.
Day Three, also known as moving day - not a time to leave anything in the bag, saw temps similar to day 2 but sunny and less windy. The pin placements were more accessible this final day, allowing players to make a move. Though there were no rounds under par net, the course scoring average was three strokes lower net (80.0) than the previous two days. Many players had the opportunity to win but with the change in course setup, teeing off on number ten and ending on hole number 9, a par three island green in front of the clubhouse and gallery of some fifty players and guests, caused many players to experience what a PGA Professional might feel at #17 TPC Sawgrass. Playing its longest yardage (145 yards), the island green finishing hole made champions of some and caused heartburn and an off-season of "what-ifs" for others. Bill played the final nine holes in gross two over par, including important pars on the final two holes. Virginia Oaks Golf Course, once again, proved why it is the most challenging 6,400 yard course we play and why the TGAA Tour Championship is the most difficult of all TGAA tournaments to win
Bill's three day total of NET SIX OVER PAR (219) was good enough to claim victory and the first place check of $3,200. Two players finished in a tie for second and fourth place, and the TGAA Tour Tiebreaker (total combined back nine scores for all three rounds) was used to break these ties. NET TWENTY-TWO OVER PAR (235) was good enough to finish in the money this year, as two players tied with their overall three day score and the TGAA Tiebreaker (combined back nine net). The average winning score was 228.8 or nearly SIXTEEN OVER PAR NET, as there were only three individual rounds net under par of the total 121 posted for the three days.
TGAA Management would like to thank Dan Wagner, Tournament Director, and all the staff of the Virginia Oaks GC for making the season-ending major a great success.
A total purse of $11,550 was paid out to the top 11 players (tenth place was a tie). With his win, Bill took home the first place check of $3,200, had his name added to the traveling Mid-Atlantic Championship trophy that remains on display at TGAA HQ, a personal replica Tour Championship trophy, Winners Only Star and Certificate and earns a two year exemption into the Tournament of Champions.
For more information on how you can become a member of the premiere Pro-Net golf tour in the Mid-Atlantic, please visit www.tgaatour.com or email smoses@tgaatour.com.
