Danny Lee finishes the year on top of the only calendar-year based U.S. amateur rankings
CARLSBAD, Calif. (Dec, 18 2008) – amateurgolf.com, the top website for competitive amateurs with the most extensive tournament database in the world, today announced the amateurgolf.com – Bridgestone Golf Players of the Year, based on a comprehensive ranking system taking results from major tournaments across the United States.
Also announced was the schedule for the 2009 amateurgolf.com Tournament Series, presented by Bridgestone Golf. The Tournament Series includes 16 events, including several “signature” travel events hosted by three of the top resorts in the nation, the Two Man Links at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, The Kiawah Island Two Man at Kiawah Island Resort, and the Pinehurst Invitational at the Pinehurst Resort.
AMATEURGOLF.COM – BRIDGESTONE GOLF PLAYER RANKINGS
In the men’s division, New Zealand’s Danny Lee took the amateur circuit by storm becoming one of the few golfers ever to be the Western Amateur medalist and champion, then following that up by surpassing Tiger Woods as the youngest-ever U.S. Amateur winner at 18 years, one month. He finished the season with 5850 points, well clear of runner-up Zach Sucher’s 4500.
In the women’s division, Amanda Blumenherst has been well known as one of the best women’s amateurs in the country, and she finally captured her first USGA title in 2008 when she won medalist honors at the U.S. Women’s Amateur and then rolled to victory in one of her final amateur events before turning pro after graduating from Duke.
The Senior Men’s division has not been decided – as of press time the two players share the top spot; Paul Simson from North Carolina and Paul Schlachter of Pennsylvania. Both players have already racked up 4200 points in different fashions, as Simson grabbed notable victories at the British Senior Amateur, Lupton Invitational and National Senior Hall of Fame, while Schlachter, who was top-ranked in 2007, finished eleventh or better of all 11 amateur majors he entered. Bill Zylstra of Michigan (4100 points) and Jerry Hudgins of Texas (4050 points) can pass them with strong finishes at this week’s Ralph Bogart Invitational.
Since the rankings’ inception in 2006, it has been a strong indicator of future success at the next level. Webb Simpson and Colt Knost, the 2006 and 2007 winners, each earned their PGA Tour card for 2009, while two-time women’s champ Stacey Lewis earned her LPGA card after taking 2008 LPGA Q-School medalist honors.
For a look at the full amateurgolf.com – Bridgestone Golf Player Rankings, which include state-by-state rankings, use this link: http://www.amateurgolf.com/rankingview.asp
AMATEURGOLF.COM 2009 TOURNAMENT SERIES, PRESENTED BY BRIDGESTONE GOLF
Also announced was the first half of 2009 schedule for the popular amateurgolf.com Tournament Series, presented by Bridgestone Golf. This series runs from January – December with a fourteen events throughout California and three travel events, which draw players from across the nation to three of the best courses in the nation, Bandon Dunes, Kiawah Island, and Pinehurst.
The 54-hole Kiawah Island Two Man, held March 8-11 is a great way to get a jump on the season at a course that’s perennially ranked top-10 in the country. The Two Man Links at Bandon Dunes, April 4-8, is our other travel event, 72 holes at all three of Bandon Dunes’ top-ranked courses, giving golfers a chance to enjoy the best links-style golf experience this side of the pond.
For a full list of amateurgolf.com Tournament series events, use this link: http://www.amateurgolf.com/tour/schedule.asp
ABOUT AMATEURGOLF.COM
amateurgolf.com devotes our entire website to the 99.7% of golfers who aren’t pros. Our content is geared towards players who are serious about taking their game to a competitive level, whether that means winning the 4th flight of the Club Championship, or qualifying for the US Amateur.
Launched in 2001, the amateurgolf.com Tournament Series has grown to include three National events at the Bandon Dunes, Kiawah Island, and Pinehurst Resorts, plus close to 20 regional events throughout California.
Bridgestone Golf, UST Golf Shaft, Titleist, Lamkin Grips, Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, Ocean Hondas, Cutter & Buck, and Prize Possessions are just a few of the companies who have seen the benefits of sponsoring our website or Tournament Series.
Note: Members of the Golf Media may request a complimentary membership by sending email to pconroy@amateurgolf.com.
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amateurgolf.com
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