The 2008 AmateursMedia Guide

Welcome to the

Amateurs

Dear Amateurs Participants,

Gentlemen, welcome to majestic Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Muscle Shoals, the Niagara of the South, derives its name from the Indians, who, attempting to navigate upstream the Tennessee River at this location, found the task almost impossible because of the strong currents. Men, the currents are still strong and will require muscle to become victorious at this year’s Amateur. This year’s field is stronger than ever as we welcome three new players and many familiar faces.

In 1921 automotive tycoon Henry Ford, accompanied by Thomas Edison came to Muscle Shoals with hopes of finding real estate gold, but both were sent home with their tails between their legs after only finding heartache. Two strong men known for their successes, but only finding failure. Over one weekend in April, this years Amateur’s will test two teams of eight men pitted against each other and the elements where only one can team came come out on top.

Now in its fifth year, The Amateurs has become a tradition that celebrates the finest aspects of golf and friendship. Let us all enjoy the competition with each other and continue to uphold the sportsmanlike spirit on which this event was founded.

Your humble servants,

Blake W. Bourland JamesP. Dorman IIIDallas M. GeerChristopher A. HillBlake, Jim, Dallas & ChrisThe Founding Fathers

History & Past Results

2004 Amateurs - The Founding FathersDates: May 7-9, 2004Location: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hillin Prattville, AL! The Legislator Course, The Senator Course, The Judge CourseParticipants: Blake Bourland, Dallas Geer, Jim Dorman, Chris HillResults: Total score competition won by Dallas (Prize – all you can eat Krystal’s – ! still at large) Dallas has yet to collect although he brings up the bet often. ! There are thoughts by some that he will never collect so he can continually ! bring up the fact he won.Notes: No handicaps used

2005 Amateurs - A Soldier’s Sendoff(Named for Nathan Molica who we thought was about to go overseas)Dates: April 14-17, 2005Location: Callaway Gardens in Callaway Gardens, GA! The Mountain View and Lake View Golf CoursesParticipants: Black Knights - Captain: Chris Hill; William Martin, Peter Petitt, ! Nathan Molica, Blake Bourland! Rangers - Captain: Jim Dorman, Kennon Vaughan, Briton Williston, Dallas ! Geer, Matt WeathersbyResults: Rangers win 6-5Notes: Kennon wins MVP and low net total; Peter P wins low net round. Buddy ! quits match on hole 15 due to fatigue.Round 1 ! Buddy/Matt over Woody/Nathan! Blake/Chris over Jim/Kennon! Peter over Dallas 3 & 2Round 2! Dallas/Kennon over Chris/Peter! Matt over Woody! Blake/Nathan over Jim/Buddy Round 3! Dallas/Jim halves with Blake/Chris! Buddy/Kennon over Chris/Woody Round 4! Kennon halves with Blake! Chris over Jim 2 & 1! Dallas/Buddy over Woody/Nathan

2006 Amateurs - Blame it on Vaughan(Named due to Kennon’s wedding causing several people to miss the trip)Dates: April 6-9, 2006Location: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia, MS! The Azaleas and the Oaks Golf CoursesParticipants: Woodies - Captain: William Martin, Dallas Geer, Peter ! Mathews, Chris Hill! Bones - Captain: Matt Weathersby, Blake Bourland, Jason Holbrook, Jim ! DormanResults: Woodies Win 5 & 4Notes: Dallas wins MVP, low net round on Azalea and low net total. Matt wins low ! net round on Oaks. Woody says “Folk’s Folly steak takes like dirt.”Round 1! Dallas/Woody/Peter/Chris over Blake/Jason/Matt/JimRound 2! Dallas/Chris over Matt/Jason! Blake/Jim halves with Peter/Woody

History & Past Results

Round 3! Dallas/Peter over Jason/Blake! Matt/Jim halves with Woody/ChrisRound 4! Dallas over Blake 9 & 8! Jason over Peter! Jim over Chris 2 & 1! Matt over Woody

2007 Amateurs - Arkansas Derby (see pg. 7)(named due to attendance of the famous Arkansas horse race of the same name)Dates: April 12-15, 2007Location: Hot Springs Village, AR! Ponce De Leon, Isabella, Balboa, and Grenada Golf CoursesParticipants: Men ‘O War: Captain: Blake Bourland, John Bryson, Jason ! Holbrook, Chris Hill, Josh Vick, A Thompson, Matt Weathersby, Tom Marino! The Curse: Captain: Kennon Vaughan, Peter Mathews, Dallas Geer, Tony ! Wade, Jim Dorman, Jeff Jones, William MartinResults: Men ‘O War Win 9-7Notes: Tom wins MVP; Dallas wins low net total and low net round.Round 1 (2 ball for 12 holes, 3 ball for 4 holes, 4 ball for 2 holes)! JB/Blake/Matt/Tom over Peter/Tony/Woody/Jeff 4 & 3! Dallas/Preston/Kennon/Jim over Jason/Chris/Josh/A 6 & 5Round 2 (Emotional match; lightening causes participants to run for cover)! JB/Tom over Peter/Woody 5 & 3! Blake/Matt halves with Tony/Jeff! Preston/Kennon over Josh/Chris 1 up! A/Jason over Jim/Dallas 2 upRound 3! JB/Josh over Dallas/Preston 2 & 1! Tony/Kennon over Matt/Jason 2 up! Chris/Tom halves with Woody/Jim! Blake/A over Jeff/Peter 6 & 5Round 4! Dallas over JB 7 & 6! Chris halves with Tony! Kennon over A 3 & 2! Matt over Woody 4 & 3! Jason halves with Peter (Jason comes back after being 4 holes down)! Blake halves with Preston (Blake comes back after being 4 holes down)! Jim over Josh 2 & 1! Tom over Jeff 5 & 4

History & Past Results

Players Match Winning %

Match Record

Individual Match Play

Team Winning %

Kennon Vaughan 75% 6 - 1 - 1 2 - 0 - 1 50%

John Bryson 75% 3 - 1 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 100%

Tom Marino 75% 3 - 0 - 1 1 - 0 - 0 100%

Dallas Geer 69% 9 - 3 - 1 2 - 1 - 0 75%

Matt Weathersby 56% 5 - 3 - 2 3 - 0 - 0 67%

Peter Pettit 50% 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 0 - 0 0%

Britton Williston 50% 2 - 2 - 0 N/A 100%

A Thompson 50% 2 - 2 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 100%

Nathan Molica 50% 1 - 1 - 0 N/A 0%

Preston Carpenter 50% 2 - 1 - 1 0 - 0 - 1 0%

Blake Bourland 31% 4 - 4 - 5 0 - 1 - 2 25%

Chris Hill 31% 4 - 5 - 4 1 - 1 - 1 50%

Jason Holbrook 25% 2 - 5 - 1 1 - 0 - 1 50%

Peter Matthews 25% 2 - 4 - 2 0 - 1 - 1 50%

Tony Wade 25% 1 - 1 - 2 0 - 0 - 1 0%

Josh Vick 25% 1 - 3 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 100%

Jim Dorman 23% 3 - 6 - 4 2 - 1 - 0 25%

William Martin 8% 1 - 8 - 3 0 - 3 - 0 33%

Jeff Jones 0% 0 - 3 - 1 0 - 1 - 0 0%

Player Biographies

 

Blake BourlandResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Auburn/UT LawTeam Record 1-3Match Record 4-4-5Individual Match PlayRecord 0-1-2

Notes: Attorney; emotional; visor backwards means trouble for opponent; keeps ball in play; not a risk taker. Rivals: Dallas, Kennon

Jim DormanResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Auburn/UT MBATeam Record 1-3Match Record 3-6-4Individual Match Play Record 2-1-0

Notes: CPA; CFA; Not a Bad A, steady hand; long driver; mental game has been questioned; questionable short game; Super Bowl XLII MVPRivals: Chris, Vick

Chris HillResides: Memphis, TNCollege: AuburnTeam Record 2-2Match Record 4-5-4Individual Match Play Record 1-1-1

Notes: Recently left ministry job to work for the Man; Lefty; Never gives up; Don’t count him out after a bad drive.Rivals: Jim, Tony

Dallas GeerResides: Memphis, TNCollege: UT/UT MBATeam Record 3-1Match Record 9-3-1Individual Match Play Record 2-1-0

Notes: Handicap has been trending lower which is good for handicapped tournaments; Handicap is finally low, so real test will come at this year’s Amateurs; Rumored to play more than a 100 rounds a year.Rivals: Blake, JB, A

Kennon VaughanResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Auburn/Vandy/Dallas Theological SeminaryTeam Record 1-1Match Record 6-1-1Individual Match Play Record 2-1-0

Notes: Source of great handicap controversy; Continues to complain about handicap although possesses a 6-1-1 match record; Refuses to sign up for myscorecard.com; Winner at heart and comes ready to play.Rivals: Blake, Jason, Andy

Player BiographiesMatt WeathersbyResides: Memphis, TNCollege: FurmanTeam Record 2-1Match Record 5-3-2Individual Match Play Record 3-0-0

Notes: True competitor; Seems to come up with magic when its needed the most.Rivals: Woody

Peter PettitResides: Chicago, ILCollege: Virginia/Kellogg MBATeam Record 0-1Match Record 1-1-0Individual Match Play Record 1-0-0

Notes: Might be a one-timer, but great golfer.Rivals: Dallas

Britton WillistonResides: Washington D.C.College: Virginia/Cornell LawTeam Record 1-0Match Record 2-2-0Individual Match Play RecordN/A

Notes: Might be a one timer, but tons of fun to have on trip.Rivals: Nathan

Nathan MolicaResides: Columbus, Ga, Iraq, AfghanistanCollege: West PointTeam Record 0-1Match Record 1-1-0Individual Match Play RecordN/A

Notes: New to the game, but great to have on the trip; Plays with great emotion.Rivals: Buddy

William MartinResides: Memphis, TNCollege: TennesseeTeam Record 1-2Match Record 1-8-3Individual Match Play Record 0-3-0

Notes: Competitor; Captained a team to victory; Wears his emotions on his chest; Nearly beat down a 75 year old marshall in Hot Springs Village;Known to carry his bag through the woods.Rivals: Weathersby, Marino

Player BiographiesJason HolbrookResides: Millington, TNCollege: KentuckyTeam Record 1-1Match Record 2-5-1Individual Match Play Record 1-0-1

Notes: Has been preparing himself for captain since first Amateurs; Thrives in the heat of the battle; Winners attitude; Monster grips threw off his game in ’07, but he will be back.Rivals: Peter

Peter MatthewsResides: Memphis, TNCollege: RhodesTeam Record 1-1Match Record 2-4-2Individual Match Play Record 0-1-1

Notes: Capable of very low scores. Quiet, but deadly killer in ‘06Rivals: Jason

John BrysonResides: Memphis, TNCollege: KentuckyTeam Record 1-0Match Record 3-1-0Individual Match Play Record 0-1-0

Notes: Fastest player on the Amatuers circuit (or any circuit for that matter); Fun to have in foursome and capable of going very low.Rivals: Dallas, Jason

Jeff JonesResides: Memphis, TNCollege: MemphisTeam Record 0-1Match Record 0-3-1Individual Match Play Record 0-1-0

Notes: Won dubious award of high net on ’07; Steady partner in team competition.Rivals: Tom

Tony WadeResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Team Record 0-1Match Record 1-1-2Individual Match Play Record 0-0-1

Notes: May look like Wayne Brady, but is extremely serious on golf course; Sparkplug; Gets excited and gets down; Instructs opponents on swing flaws; True winner.Rivals: Chris

Player BiographiesPreston CarpenterResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Ole MissTeam Record 0-1Match Record 2-1-1Individual Match Play Record 0-0-1

Notes: Steady, optimistic and great playing partner; Quietly get the job done; Beat cancer 10 & 8, you’re next.Rivals: Josh, Blake

Josh VickResides: Dallas, TXCollege: Alabama/LSUTeam Record 1-0Match Record 1-3-0Individual Match Play Record 0-1-0

Notes: Very enjoyable to play with even as an opponent; Capable of low scores; Travelled longest distance to get to 2007 Amateurs; Has good Chris Hill jabs.Rivals: Preston, Jim

Tom MarinoResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Mississippi StateTeam Record 1-0Match Record 3-0-1Individual Match Play Record 1-0

Notes: MVP in his first year; Low handicappers fear him, high handicapper loath him.Rivals: None at this point - he is undefeated.

A ThompsonResides: Memphis, TNCollege: FurmanTeam Record 1-0Match Record 2-2-0Individual Match Play Record 0-1-0

Notes: Competitor; Famous for wearing tight blue pullover; Involved in HandicapGate ’07; great motivatorRivals: Kennon, Dallas

Jack PierattResides: Memphis, TNCollege: MemphisRookie

Notes: Brings some quality golf-playing to the Amateurs; Played golf at Memphis; Is from

Brentwood, TN; likes music, running and golf; Works for Atrium Medical Corp as a medical device sales rep; dogs: Zoe & Asa; Answers important phone calls during surgery.

Player BiographiesScott WalkerResides: Memphis, TNCollege: Memphis TigerRookie

Notes: 5’7”, 152 lbs, Germantown Red Devil

Accomplishments: Yard of the month; Swept the Paris Landing State Park summer games week 4 1976; 3rd place finish in the Atchafalaya 24-hour adventure race, tore ACL and MCL playing golf; Married to Rebecca; Kid on the way.

Andy BeckmanResides: Memphis, TNCollege: AuburnRookie

Notes: Married to Heather, no kids, no pets; Good short game.

Hobbies include sports, jogging, spending time outdoors, golf.

Accomplishments: Was a maintenance man for 6 months on CO dude ranch; lowest round was a 36 on 9-holes at a Gary Player designed course in FLRivals: Kennon

With some of the worst weather ever experienced for the tournament, we still had our largest group to date with 16 competitors. We played two rounds on Friday, one early on Saturday, had an afternoon at the Derby, and then a final round on Sunday. Highlights from the weekend included playing a couple rounds through hail, fog, rain, lightning & cold, endless handicap discussions, A's integrity being challenged, Peter & Jeff talking too much, Jason and Chris talking too little, one long dinner at Coy's, getting lost, Dallas not officially running the tournament and also finding out who is the #1 employer of college graduates each year. Not until the second nine of the final round did short sleeves make an appearance. If it wasn't The Amateurs, none of the participant would of been playing this weekend for sure. But the weather was a great equalizer to most.

Golf and fellowship were the two priorities. In 2007, as in the past, many received more golf than they had hoped as scores soared in to the 100s. Year five next year promises to be a big one, but until then be sure to check

ou t t he p i cs f rom th i s yea r ' s tournament. Congratulations to Blake and the Men-O-War: JB, Jason, Josh, A, Matt, Tom and myself for pulling out a close victory to take the prize. Also thanks to worthy competitors on The Curse: Coach Kennon, Peter, Dallas, Preston, Tony, Jim, Jeff and William for making the weekend great. When asked to comment on how his team pulled out the victory at The 2007 A m a t e u r s , C o a c h B o u r l a n d commented, "How exactly do you get out of the world's largest gated community?" Coach Vaughan was unavailable for comment.

On the Questioning of A's integrity (by A Thompson):“After playing 36 holes over 12 hours in the pouring down rain and listening to Dallas ignite a controversy over his

handicap with glorified stories about his play over the final 18 holes, A got pulled into a laundry room by the two team captains around 11PM to discuss his handicap. At the time, A was interested in four things: beer, eating JB ’s l e f t ove r p i z za , wa t ch i ng Sportscenter and going to bed. Once inside the laundry room, Captain Vaughn of The Curse immediately asked A, ‘As a man of integrity, what is your real handicap?’ Thompson’s initial shock at the question quickly began to heat up into a nuclear explosion about the themes impl ic i t in Captain Vaughn’s tone, when Captain Bourland jumped in and reminded A that Kennon frequently uses this kind of slang phrase when asking for an honest answer. A decided not to attempt a round-house kick on Captain Vaughn’s head and an agreement between the two teams was final ized which included a revised handicap for A.”

An anonymous was left on the article stating: “There is no controversy on Dallas's handicap.”

Recap of 2007

Low Net Total: Dallas (292)Low Net Round: Dallas (81 = 69) High Net Total: Jeff (341) High Net Round: Jason (104 = 92)Overall MVP - Best Record:! Tom Marino (3-0-1)

The Shoals Florence - 36 Holes

The Fighting Joe course at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals opened August, 2004 and was the first Trail course to break 8,000 measuring some 8,092 yards from the black tees.

It’s long, really long, and this links style course is simply good straight-forward golf. You can see where you’re going. The question is… can Dorman get there?

Some say the spectacular 17th hole is the signature hole on the course, but the 18th green overlooking Wilson Lake on the Tennessee River will distract you with its beauty - if not its treachery.

Travel & Leisure Golf has named Fighting Joe one of the top new courses in 2004 for good reason. Long-hitters here will experience a test of champions; but from the correct tee box, all players will enjoy world-class golf.

The second course, The Schoolmaster (names for President Woodrow Wilson who was responsible for getting Wilson Dam built on the River and who was known as The Schoolmaster of politics) opened in the Summer of 2005. (Fortunately Blake middle name is Woodrow)

This tree lined course is more traditional golf with every hole in keeping with the natural topography along the Tennessee River. It’s wooded, rolling and spectacular. (Woody wear comfy shoes for this course.)

First reports indicate The Schoolmaster may be a tougher course than Fighting Joe, but only time will tell. One thing’s for sure, it’s a Shot Maker’s golf course with narrower fairways, tree lined greens, and still a length of nearly 8,000 yards!

It’s hard to beat the beauty that Hole #18 hold on the high bluffs over the river, but the waterfall on Hole #2 sure comes close. Make sure you’ve done your homework well, for The Schoolmaster will certainly test all of your skills.

Robert Trent JonesThe School Master Course

Robert Trent JonesFighting Joe Course

Rules & Format

Rules:• All USGA rules, unless otherwise noted, are in effect.• If a player hits a ball into the woods, then the play must be treated as a lateral

hazard and a player must take a drop closest to the point of entry into the hazard. A player must notify his opponent of such a drop and have approval of the where the drop must be made.

• Unless conditions prove to the contrary, any ball that lands in the fairway may slightly be improved (i.e. “rolling” in the fairway only is allowed)

• Unless a putt is conceded by your opponent, all putts must drop (all players are fully encouraged to finish each putt).

• The maximum score allowed on any given hole per player is 3 over par.• Anytime a player must take a penalty drop, he must confer with his opponent

and come to agreement that the drop location is adequate.• In the event of a tie following Sunday’s match play, the captain’s will select 2

members of their team to start on hole 1 playing 2 man sudden death combined score

• Low handicap of each foursome will be responsible for the pace of play

Friday’s Matches:• Match-ups are predetermined before Amateur’s weekend. At the pre-tournament

dinner, there will be a coin flip to determine who names their team first and who responds with a match up. The team that goes first on the 4 man match goes 2nd for the 2 man selection.

• Friday’s first match each match is worth 4 points. Check with your coach about the rules for Friday’s first round matches.

• Friday’s 2nd match is a 2 vs 2, best ball match play. Each match is worth 2 points

Saturday Match:• Match-ups are determined by captains alternating naming a team with opposing

captain responding with his matchup choice.• Saturday’s match is a 2 vs 2, best ball match play• Each match is worth 2 points

Sunday Match:• Match-ups are determined by captains alternating naming a player with

opposing captain responding with his matchup choice.• Sunday’s match is individual match play• Each match is worth 2 points• When choosing match-ups, each team will rank their players by handicap.

When a captain responds with a player, he must select an opponent within one ranking spot of the opponent. In a case where there is not a player ranked higher/lower then the captain can select within two spots in one direction.

• Team uniforms are in effect on Sunday. Team colors will be chosen at the pre-tournament meal. [Update: House of Mojo will wear red shirts, Sons of Thunder will wear black shirts. Please bring a red and black shirt for those who might be in need.]

Prizes: $35 entry fee• Winning team splits 85%• Low net total 5%• Low net Round 5%• Most Valuable Player 5%• Winning Sunday Match Pay $10• Hole in One – Everyone pays $20

Jack Pieratt!! ! ! Dallas Geer

John Bryson*! ! ! Blake Bourland

Peter Matthews!! ! Jason Holbrook*

Preston Carpenter! ! Kennon Vaughan

Chris Hill! ! ! ! Tony Wade

Andy Beckman! ! ! A Thompson

Jim Dorman!! ! ! Scott Walker

William Martin! ! ! Tom Marino* Captain

House of HomoSons of Thunder

TEAMS

Trip Logistics

Lodging: Thursday, April 3rd ! - Saturday, April 5th ! (Already Reserved)Contact: Doublehead Resort ! Alicia Bates @ ! 800.685.9267 (press 1 ! for rentals, ext. 4)Cost/Paid: $345.00 by !Chris ! Hill on 10/15/07 with ! AMEX. This is a $115 per ! cottage reserve rate. All is ! refundable if cancelled 30 ! days prior to reservation ! date except for a $15 ! booking fee per villa.Reservation: Confirmation # ! R00D84.1, R00D84.2, ! R00D84.3! This reservation includes three, three bedroom villas (2 Queens beds + 2 twins/ 2 full ! baths), side-by-side locations for $270 each night for three nights per villa (including ! tax) + 15 per villa booking fee (cleaning charge basically). Check in is at 3PM. ! Total cost = $2475. Per person cost (16 people) = $154.69Directions: Google directions from Memphis - 3 hour estimated driving time from ! Memphis

Golf: Robert Trent Jones, The Shoals in Muscle Shoals, ALContact: Libby Watts 256.446.4482Contract: Once signed and returned, no deposit needed. Possible to cancel up !to one ! week in advance.Reservation: Chris Hill Golf OutingCost/Paid: Friday early tee times will cost $59 (+ tax) per person, followed by a !$40.20 (+ ! tax) per person for the reply round that afternoon. Saturday and Sunday rounds will ! cost $65 (+tax) per person. All rounds include carts. There is also a one time $23 ! administration fee applied to our outing. AL state tax is 8.5% this will bring the total ! cost for golf = $3,978.91.! Per person cost (16 people) = $250.12. No deposit is necessary.Directions: Google directions from Doublehead to The Shoals - 22 minutes ! estimated driving timeTee Times:! Friday, April 4th Tee Times: Four consecutive tee times starting at 7 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.! Saturday, April 5th Tee Times: Four consecutive tee times starting at 8 a.m.! Sunday, April 6th Tee ! Times: Four consecutive ! tee times starting at 8 a.m.

Confirmed Golfers: All golfers ! have paid their non-! refundable $50.00 deposits

Total Cost Per Person (16 People): $404.81 - 50 ! (deposit) = $354.81

Round One

Jason Holbrook!! ! Peter Matthews

A Thompson! ! ! Andy Beckman

Kennon Vaughan! ! ! Preston Carpenter

Scott Walker! ! ! Jim Dorman

First Tee 7 a.m. Second Tee

VS

Dallas Geer!! ! ! Jack Pieratt

Blake Bourland! ! ! John Bryson

Tony Wade! ! ! ! Chris Hill

Tom Marino!! ! ! William Martin

Third Tee Fourth Tee

VS

Round Two

Match is a 2 vs 2, best ball match

play. Each match is worth 2 points.

Jason Holbrook!! ! Peter Matthews

A Thompson! Preston Carpenter

First Tee 12:30 a.m.

VS

Kennon Vaughan! ! ! Andy Beckman

Scott Walker! ! ! Jim Dorman

Second Tee

VS

Blake Bourland! ! ! John Bryson

Tony Wade! ! ! ! Chris Hill

Third Tee

VS

Dallas Geer!! ! ! Jack Pieratt

Tom Marino!! ! ! William Martin

Fourth Tee

VS