NEWS
Weibring 18 Holes from Making his Champion Dream Come True
Matt Weibring cut a stroke from his previous day's performance to end the day at a minus-4, 66. He stands at the top of the leaderboard at 13-under. Darron Stiles, 2006 Fort Smith Classic champion, finished with 68 and sits one stroke back from Weibring at 12-under. Kris Blanks (9-under), Daniel Summerhays, David Lutterus, Kris Cox and David Morland IV (8-under) are all still firmly in contention.
Championship Sunday begins at 8:21 in the morning. Don't miss the trophy presentation after play on the 18th green at about 5:00 pm.
We'll also be giving away the five vacation packages as part of the Great Get-A-Way. It's not too late enter. If you're present to win, you'll take home an additional $100 in spending money!
Check the leaderboard here
Field Cut to 61 After Aggressive Round
The second round of professional play at the Fort Smith Classic continued into the evening Tuesday. Darron Stiles, 2006 Fort Smith Classic champion, and Rich Morris, Monday Qualifier and former Arkansas Razorback golfer, finished in the lead at -10. Yesterday’s co-leader Matt Weibring finished the day at 3-under and one back for the first two rounds. One stroke behind and very much in contention are Kris Cox, Tee McCabe, David Morland, Justin Hicks and Won Joon Lee.
The third round promises even more dramatic, aggressive golf as the top 61 players (2-under par at 138) continue their drive for the Fort Smith Classic championship. Tee off begins at 7:30. All play should conclude Saturday by 3:00 pm, so get to Hardscrabble Country Club early. Tickets available at the gate.
Lift, Clean and a Winning Pace
Varying weather conditions and soggy fairways challenged players during the first round of play at the Fort Smith Classic, but did little to slow down a trio of players finishing in the lead at six under. PGA TOUR members Tommy Gainey and Kris Cox and Nationwide Tour pro Matt Weibring finished at -64, the same first day score for the leader of the Classic for nine of the eleven years of the tournament. No first-day leader has ever taken the Fort Smith Classic trophy and with six players at -66 and ten at -67, Gainey, Cox and Weibring will need to continue to battle past frustrations to maintain their lead.
The weather forecast for today is sunny and warm. If Thursday’s play is any indication, the golf will be even hotter. With the entire field driving to make Friday’s cut, you will not want to miss the incredible action taking place today at Hardscrabble Country Club. Grounds tickets are available at the gate. Tee off begins at 7:20 am and play will last throughout the day.
Fourteen Monday Qualify for Fort Smith Classic
COREY S. KRASKO • TIMES RECORD Tyler Garratt of Menlo Park, Calif., lines up a putt on the first green at Eagle Crest Golf Course on Monday as Eric Gibbs of Alma watches. The pair were among the competitors trying to qualify for the Fort Smith Classic Nationwide Tour PGA event that begins Thursday at Hardscrabble Country Club.
Of the 145 golfers who entered Monday’s qualifying round at Eagle Crest in Alma, fourteen move into the filed at the Fort Smith Classic. Six of the fourteen spots were determined by playoff. Two of the qualifiers are former Arkansas Razorbacks: Nick Beach and Rich Morris.
Results (Par 71):
Pictures of the Qualifying Round here
BRIAN D. SANDERFORD • TIMES RECORD Sebastian County Parks Administrator Joseph Gaa, from left, Sebastian County Judge David Hudson and Ben Geren Golf Course manager/PGA Professional Steve Nicholls look over damage to one of the greens at the course.
Portion of Monday Qualifier moved to Stonebridge Meadows in Fayetteville
Due to damage caused by vandals at Ben Geren Golf Course, the PGA TOUR has announced that a portion of the Monday qualifier will be moved to Stonebridge Meadows. The other rounds will remain at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Alma. Ben Geren head pro Steve Nichols said the greens are recovering and playing close to normal, but the PGA TOUR made the final decision to move the event. Fort Smith police arrested four men responsible for the damage.
More information:
Times Record: PGA Tour Moves Classic Qulaifier
Times Record: Ben Geren Vandalism Suspects Arrested
Ben Geren Vandals Also Steal Golf Carts
Vandals On 4-Wheelers Ruin Greens At Ben Geren Golf Course
NATIONWIDE TOUR STORYLINES
Week of May 12
Week of May 5
Week of April 28
Week of April 21
Week of April 14
Week of April 07
Week of March 31
Week of March 24
Week of March 17
Week of March 10
DARRON STILES GUEST BLOGS FOR FORT SMITH CLASSIC
Past Fort Smith Classic Champion (2006) Darron Stiles contributes a weekly blog on the tournament's web site as its guest blogger. Darron competed on the PGA TOUR in 2007 but lost full status at the end of the season. Darron's single ambition this year is to finish in The 25 and return to the PGA TOUR in 2009. Darron is already off to a good start, winning the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand last month. This event was the third stop on the international portion of the Nationwide Tour. Darron is currently number six on the Nationwide Tour money list.
Darron will blog on www.fortsmithclassic.com to give readers an insight into life on the tour. Log on to learn more about Darron and the life of a professional golfer, as well as Darron's progress in recapturing his dream to play on the PGA TOUR. Darron will make weekly entries to his blog until the week of the Fort Smith Classic when he will make daily entries to comment on his experiences at this tournament.
For more information on Darron Stiles visit: PGATOUR.COM Profile
Press Release
ROCKIN' GREENS & BLUEGRASS
Thirteen-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will appear live in a FREE concert on the Reynolds stage at Harry E. Kelly and Fort Smith River Parks on Tuesday, May 6. The yet-to-be-named opening act begins at 6:30 pm with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder taking the stage at 7:15 pm. Gates will open at 5:30.
Tickets are now available at Cox Stores in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Rogers, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Harrison and Berryville. Tickets will also be available at ARVEST bank locations in Fort Smith and Van Buren.
Although tickets will be complimentary, they will be required for entry to the concert and are limited to four at the time of request.
“Cox Communications is very pleased to sponsor a brand new element of community fun to take place during the week of the Fort Smith Classic. Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will perform at a Fort Smith Cox Community Concert—and what’s more, admission to the event will be completely free to the public.”
“We are so anxious to bring this really special musical talent to Fort Smith during such a big week of the year. We feel sure that this will further enhance the broad array of events surrounding the Fort Smith Classic, and add another major family-friendly evening option that will keep that energy and excitement going.” – Kelly Hale Zega, Public Affairs - Cox Communications
The Cox Community Concert is presented in partnership with the Fort Smith Classic and the City of Fort Smith.
Press Release
THE GREAT GET-A-WAY
Harrah’s Entertainment and Pinnacle Airlines bring you the Great Get-A-Way and your chance to fly away on an amazing vacation to Las Vegas, Tunica, New Orleans, Atlantic City or Biloxi. Donations are $5 per entry and are now available from charity representatives. Click here for more details.
PURSE INCREASES TO HIGHEST AMOUNT IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Total purse for the 2008 Fort Smith Classic will increase $25,000 to $550,000. The winner will also receive a Waterford crystal trophy and a Rolex watch courtesy of Newton's Jewelers.
2007 CHAMPION: JAY WILLIAMSON
Jay Williamson rallied from deep in the pack on championship Sunday to win the Fort Smith Classic Presented by Stephens Inc. by a shot over Justin Bolli and Garrett Willis. Williamson raced to the front with a 63 to finish at 16-under 264.
Jay’s PGATOUR.com profile
2007 Tournament Recap
