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3rd Annual World Golf Teachers Cup®
WORLD GOLF TEACHERS CUP 1999
WHAT A GREAT WEEK!
USA • January 25-29, 1999 |
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It was a week
full of anticipation. It was a week when the bestgolf teachers
in the world got together at Ballantrae Golf & Yacht Club in
Port St. Lucie, FL. to renew old acquaintances, share
experiences, hear advice from experts in the field, and do
battle for the World Golf Teachers Cup.
From January 25 through January 29, members of the United States
Golf Teachers Federation, their affiliates around the world, and
PGA members got together for the Third Annual World Golf
Teachers Cup and Conference. The first order of business was the
opening reception at Ballantrae, the club that would play host
to the week’s activities. With it’s elegant, marbled
entryway, Ballantrae seemed the perfect host for this most
prestigious gathering. While feasting on the delicious array of
appetizers, participants heard a welcoming address from USGTF
president Geoff Bryant and received instructions for the week
from tournament director Bruce Munch. Then, it was time for the
official World Golf Teachers Cup and Conference photograph.
Those who were adventurous before the sun set might have
ventured away from the clubhouse to be treated to the serene
beauty of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course that is the
centerpiece of the Ballantrae development. Stretching a mere
6,500 yards from our championship tees, the course looked
anything but menacing on the night before competition.
But as our competitors found out Monday morning , looks can be
deceiving. Ballantrae was anything but kind during round one of
World Cup competition. Brian Lamberti of Westchester, NY and
Savannah, GA set the pace, crafting a one over 73 on day one,
despite winds gusting to 35 miles per hour and freshly cut
greens that challenged the skills of our members for the entire
week.
“I got off to a great start, but the wind played havoc with
everybody’s game,” said Lamberti following his round on Monday.
“It was a real swirling, abrupt wind that caused you to change
club selection often. The worst thing that can happen to you on
the course is indecision with club selection.”
Lamberti’s closest rival on the fist day was Stuart, Florida’s
Ken Butler who finished the day at three over par.
Despite a second round score of 77, Lamberti continued to lead
the chase for individual USGTF honors. Close on his heels after
two rounds were Bill Picca of Oceanside, CA who shot even—par
72, and Butler who kept pace with a 77, along with defending
champion Mark Harman of Pensacola, FL. The scene was now set for
Wednesday’s final round of the USGTF championship with the low
five players from each country slated to re p resent their
international teams on Friday for the World Golf Teachers Cup
team championship.
Brian Lamberti, 24, proved up to the challenge as he closed out
the three day individual championship with rounds of 73, 77, 73
for seven over par total of 223. Mark Harman and Bill pica tied
for second place honors with total scores of 226. Ken Butler
finished at 229, and Martin Noletti, Jr. of Royal Pam Beach, Fl,
who shot a tournament-low one-under 71 on Wednesday, rounded our
the US team with a 231 finish.
Wednesday was a very special day in the history of the World
Golf Teachers Cup and Conference. Speaking to the players
following the day’s play was noted instructor Bob Toski. Mr.
Toski was making his only public appearance prior to induction
into the Golf Magazine World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. Toski
joined Davis Love, Sr. in this year’s class, and is the only
living member of the Hall. The dapper septuagenarian kept the
assembled teachers on the edge of their seats for more than two
hours as he shared stories from his life as touring professional
and teacher of the game. Afterward, Toski obliged any and all
comers who wanted an autograph or a few moments of his time.
Thursday, the 115 competitors teed off for the World Golf
Teachers Cup individual Championship. The course continued to
take it’s toll as Ken Butler captured the title with a one over
par 73 round.
“This golf course played much more difficult that any of us
expected all week,” said Butler. “Ballantrae was in magnificent
shape from tee to green, but it is a course where mistakes are
not forgiven.”
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Team USA |
Team Canada |
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Team Europe |
Team Korea |
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The team captains for the World Golf Teachers Cup Team
Championship, Geoff Bryant of the defending champion US team;
Charles Clement, Canada; Peter Dunne, Europe; Sammy Oh, Korea;
and Eduardo Ronderos, South America, were up before the sun on
the final day of tournament week. The decision was made to play
the championship under Modified Stableford rules with points
assigned to each score on a hole. Under this format, bogeys were
worth one point, pars two points, birdies three and eagles five
points.
At the end of the day, the United States team defended it’s
title with a total of 158 points, 11 more than closest rival
Europe. USGTF Individual Champion Brian Lamberti and Bill Picca
both contributed 33 points to the winning effort. Gerry O’Gorman
of Ireland who also had 33 points led Team Europe.
“The winning margin on the US side was due to the tremendous
balance on the team,” commented South American Captain Eduardo
Ronderos of Bogota, Columbia, “They had four players with more
than 30 points each and w e re able to minimize their mistakes
on a pretty though course.”
“This has been an outstanding opportunity for spirited
competition and camaraderie among the elite teachers in the
world.” said USGTF president Geoff Bryant at the week’s closing
ceremonies. “We are deeply indebted to the members and staff of
the Ballantrae Golf & Yacht Club for sharing a worldclass
facility with us for the week. The entire South Florida
community helped make this year’s World Golf Teachers Cup and
Conference a tremendous success.”
