"IF YOU LIKE GOLF"
weekly online golf column
by
Stan Crawley

May 7, 2002

Richard Keene, perhaps the area’s best amateur golfer, turned in performances well below his standard during several tournaments last summer because of wrist surgery and heart problems.

Still, he was highly ranked on the list of the area’s top 20 golfers by chattanoogatpc.com.

"At one time I was ranked third and couldn’t even get out of the bed,’’ Keene said.

This season a new system will be used to determine the area's Top 20 ranking. Instead of a voting panel, a points system to determine the Top 20, and ultimately the Player of the Year, will be co-sponsored by Pro Golf Superstore of Hamilton Place and chattanoogatpc.com.

"We modeled the point system after the TGA State Player-of-the-Year Award,’’ said Mike Jenkins of chattanoogatpc.com. "Several of our readers wanted the rankings to be based on actual performance and not reputation. This removes all the controversy.’’

The points list will be determined from competition in 12 local events, four state events and six national and regional events. The winner will receive a piece of crystal and a $500 gift certificate to the Pro Golf Superstore.  All of the Top 20 as of the end of the golf season will receive prizes from Pro Golf Superstore.  (click here for complete details - requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

"It’s kind of like a tournament in its own self,’’ Jenkins said. "Players can earn points in the state and national events, but can’t win the award without playing the local events. We’re trying to encourage participation in the local tournaments.’’

Keene believes the new points system will be much fairer than the old voter panel.

"This will get us a true player of the year,’’ he said. "Now, you have to play to get your points and that’s good. Very good.’’

Jenkins said he decided to move to the new systems after several chattanoogatpc.com readers told him something more equitable should be used to determine the area’s best player. The points will be updated after each qualifying tournament, beginning with the conclusion of the Cleveland Invitational.

"This is just another sign of the growth of our website,’’ Jenkins said. "The first year we were on-line we averaged 100 visitors per week. Last year, that grew to 1,000 per week and we expect that to double or triple this year.’’

Jon Williams, owner of the Pro Golf Superstore at Hamilton Place, is excited about being a part of the new award.

"We simply want to be affiliated with the best players in Chattanooga and this gives us that opportunity,’’ Williams said. "We really appreciate what the website does for folks in Chattanooga and we believe this award will be a good thing for the entire golf community.’’

The Player-of-the-Year Award is not related to the star system used to qualify for the season-ending Chattanooga TPC Tournament. Details for that system can be found elsewhere on the chattanoogatpc.com website.

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