A heated Battle for top amateur honors

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Published: May 3, 2008

The race for the 2008 Battle Trophy is on.
Now in the 18th year of competition, the Battle Trophy is one of Central Virginia’s most coveted prizes, annually signifying the region’s top amateur golfer through a points system. Points are awarded in seven local tournaments, along with the Virginia State Amateur and SunTrust of Virginia Open.
Local tournaments include the Greene Hills Invitational, the Faulconer Invitational at Lake Monticello, the Kenridge Invitational at Farmington, the Central Virginia Team Championships at Old Trail, the Reines Jewelers Charlottesville City Championship at Meadowcreek, the Jefferson Cup at Birdwood and the Central Virginia Match Play Championships at Spring Creek.
The first six tournaments of the year and the two state events will decided the 2008 champion, with a twist. As noted last year, the ‘07 Spring Creek match play points, which pitted the area’s top 32 players, carry over to the ‘08 points race.
Virginia men’s golf coach Bowen Sargent won that match play event, defeating Farmington’s Paul Kane. Spring Creek’s Jerry Burton and Old Trail’s Brent Daughtrey made it to the semifinals.
So, this year’s points standings include all points acquired by last August’s match play, where three points were awarded for a first round win, four for a second, five for a third, six for semifinals, and seven to the champion, meaning Sargent gained 25 points for winning the title. With Spring Creek’s points combined with the top 15 local finishers at Greene Hills two weekends ago, Burton has jumped to an early lead on the field.
A former pro golfer from Williamsburg, Burton regained his amateur status last year and moved to the area and is a member at Spring Creek.
This year’s Battle Trophy point system is similar to as in years past: points will be awarded in each of the tournaments mentioned to the top 15 local finishers on a descending scale: 15 points for first, then 14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and ties. A bonus 10 points will be awarded if a local golfer wins the tournament.
Points are also given for qualifying for the state amateur and open and how golfers perform in those events.
The top 16 players in the point standings after the Jefferson Cup event in August, will automatically advance to the Spring Creek Match Play Championships (where the match play points will go toward the 2009 standings).
Old Trail’s Nick Little, a senior golfer at Radford, is defending champion of the Battle Trophy, named in honor of Charlottesville’s Bill Battle, former president of the USGA and a golfing enthusiast.
Daughtrey to the Ridge
Laurel Ridge Golf Club will soon have a new look and part of that look is new PGA professional Daryl Daughtrey, who has been appointed the facilities’ director of golf.
Daughtrey comes to Laurel Ridge via Tanyard Country Club and Lake Monticello Golf Course.
Daughtrey will be working with Dawn Francis, general manager, to enhance the golf program. As director of golf, Daughtrey will be responsible for all aspects of the golf operation.
“I’m very happy to become a part of this organization and to have the opportunity to help this facility grow into Rivanna River Resort,” said Daughtrey in reference to the new resort development, which has included the golf course. “I’m also looking forward to working with the course superintendent, Mark Taylor, so that we can bring this course back to the condition it deserves.”
While at Lake Monticello, Daughtrey was responsible for the club’s golf program achieving more rounds and revenue than it had experienced in 36 years of operation.
“I anticipate doing the same here and with the plans that are in place for our course, this facility will soon shine as one of the best and most enjoyable to play,” the new director said.
Daughtrey and his wife, Jo, have been familiar faces in Central Virginia golf for the past nine years, as has their entire family. Jo is an English teacher at Louisa County Middle School, while their son, Kevin, is head pro at Tanyard and Brent, their youngest son, works at Old Trail and is one of the top-ranked amateurs in the area.
Highlands Top 100
Gretchen Scheuermann took over the Highlands Golf Park a year ago when her parents decided to retire and move to Pinehurst, N.C. She obviously has built upon their success in making Highlands a solid place to improve the games of local golfers.
For the second time, the Highlands has been named a Top 100 Range in America by the Golf Range Association of America.
“We are so excited and very honored to receive this award again,” said Scheuermann, an LPGA Teaching Professional who attended the association’s banquet in Orlando over the winter. “It’s encouraging to be recognized for our commitment to providing the community with a quality golf range and teaching facility.”
The Highlands, located on Route 29, 10 minutes north of Forest Lakes (985-2765) provides both male and female pros that offer private and group lessons for all ability levels. The facility also conducts a women’s golf school and numerous junior camps.
The Top 100 award recognizes facilities that
“distinguished themselves with a commitment to teaching and training, excellence in operations and community outreach programs.”
Scheuermann noted that the Highlands boasts both grass and mat tees, a sheltered hitting section, an extensive short game practice area, night lights and a Pirate Pete’s mini golf for the kids.