Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open: Chris Tidland's eagle on No. 18 caps victory

By Jeffry Lutz-Wichita Eagle

As Chris Tidland charged toward the lead at the PGA Nationwide Tour Wichita Open, he was one of the last to know it. The 36-year-old former Oklahoma State golfer was feeling too comfortable to check the leaderboard and worry about his standing.

Tidland also preferred to remain in the dark as the tournament reached its final moments. Before Tidland's win finally became official as Chad Collins missed an eagle chip on No. 18 at Crestview Country Club, Tidland was too nervous to watch.

Instead, he sat in a cart near the 18th hole, which he had just eagled, with his son and his minus-16 score. When Collins putted in his birdie Tidland emerged, looking more relieved than ecstatic.

It was Tidland's 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th that broke a tie with Collins and Dave Schultz and gave Tidland a minus-6, 65 for the round. Collins and Schultz each birdied No. 18 to finish in a tied for second at minus-15.

Tidland, who has played professionally since 1994 with two seasons on the PGA Tour, won his second career Nationwide event and vaulted to second on the money list; the top 25 move on to the PGA next season. He entered Sunday six strokes behind third-round leader Jhonnatan Vegas at minus-10.

"I knew walking up to the green at 18 (that I was tied for the lead)," Tidland said. "I asked my caddie — I always have him check the scoreboard, and I don't look. I'm too busy with my own game — that takes a lot of the attention."

Vegas, a 24-year-old rookie from Venezuela who had at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds, appeared untouchable entering the final 18 holes. Vegas, at minus-16, had a two-stroke lead over final-round playing partner Collins entering Sunday.

But Vegas' round began to unravel early as he took a double bogey on No. 1. He recovered, but then made a disappointing par on No. 7 and hit his tee-shot on the Par-3 No. 8 into the water for the second straight day, taking a bogey to lose the lead for good.

That left others room to make a charge, and it appeared even Steven Taylor, who shot an early 64 to finish at minus-13, would be a name to remember. Schultz made a late run, making birdie on No. 16 to join the leaders at minus-14.

Tidland continued to lurk, however, with a steady, bogey-free round. His dramatic final shot was set up by a birdie at No. 14 that got him to minus-14.

"I had a buddy who called me last night who said, 'Hey, it looks like you might be playing for second — (Vegas) is way out in front,' " Tidland said. "So that kind of made me a little mad. I knew with a solid round anything could happen out here."

Tidland hit a near-perfect second shot from the fairway to the green on No. 18, a hole on which many players reached the green in two strokes. He was left with a 20-foot putt from in front of the hole that, even though eagle is an attainable score on No. 18, would likely win him the tournament. It did.

"That's the position you want to be in," Tidland said. "I love to be in that position. I made a putt to get into a playoff earlier this yea, though unfortunately I lost the playoff. But I made a nice putt and I kind of thought about that when I was over it. Let's just hit a solid putt and see what happens."

Schultz got the first chance to tie Tidland, as he reached the green in two on No. 18. He was left with a slightly longer putt than Tidland's from left of the cup. His putt slid just to the left of the hole.

"It was good speed, it just didn't break, very simply," Schultz said. "I'm not going to leave an opportunity like that short, so I hit it a little past the hole."

Collins took control of the drivers seat after Vegas' poor start and had his best chance for momentum after No. 7. He chipped in for birdie on that hole after hitting his first shot in the rough and second in the sand, but it didn't give him the spark he needed.

Collins couldn't eclipse the minus-14 mark until his birdie on No. 18. He missed the green on his fairway shot and couldn't convert the tying chip.

"It was a little surprising that guys came from behind and played that well," Collins said. "I maybe played a little more conservative than in previous days, but I gave myself a lot of looks. They just weren't very close looks."

Tidland, who had never finished better than 30th in nine previous Wichita Open appearances, made the most of his looks. He also conquered the final round for the first time this season. Tidland's Sunday scoring average of more than 71 was 94th on tour, but he found his best Sunday of the season in Wichita

"I made some 10-, 12-footers for par that were huge to kind of keep the momentum going," Tidland said. "The hole has gotten awful small for me most Sundays this year, but today it opened up big."

 

SCHOLFIELD AUTO SHOOT-OUT RESULTS

7 August 2009

Former Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open winner Ben Bates (1997 at Willowbend GC) and Hidden Lakes GC Head Pro Lee Johnson teamed up to win the 2009 Scholfield Auto Shootout Monday at Crestview Country Club.  Seven teams consisting of a Nationwide Tour pro and a local club pro played a scramble format over the span of six holes.  All seven teams played the first three holes, when the three high aggregate scores were eliminated.  One team per hole was eliminated there-after, culminating in two teams competing for the title on the last hole. 
The team of Bates and Johnson birdied the final hole, as did Nationwide Tour pro Kris Cox and Terradyne Head Professional Greg Bray.  Bates beat Cox in the chip-off, earning the tour veteran $800.  Cox took home $650 for second place.
The first round of the PHS Wichita Open begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday at Crestview Country Club.   

Pos.     $$$      Nationwide Tour Professional         Local Professional

1. 800      Ben Bates                                            Lee Johnson
2. 650      Kris Cox                                               Greg Bray
3. 350      Bruce Vaughan                                   Kurt Gibson
4. 250      Jeremy Anderson                                Dave Henson
5. 150      Hunter Haas                                        Dan Ball

150      Michael Sims                                      Keith Gunter
150      Zoran Zorkic                                        Cary Cozby

 

31 July 2009

The Scholfield Auto Shootout will make another appearance at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, on Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at Crestview Country Club. 

Bring the whole family out to enjoy this free admission event. Witness a high stakes shootout from inside the ropes. This is a shootout with a new twist. Seven head golf professionals from local clubs will team with Nationwide Tour professionals in a hole-by-hole elimination event, in pursuit of a cash purse. The competition will begin at 6:00 pm and will last approximately two and a half hours. Some of the local club professionals will include: Keith Gunter – Crestview Country Club, Cary Cozby – Wichita Country Club, Dave Henson – Flint Hills National, Greg Bray – Terradyne Country Club, Lee Johnson – Hidden Lakes, Kurt Gibson – Reflection Ridge Golf Club, Matt Seitz – Carey Park Golf Course. The Nationwide Tour professionals will include: Bruce Vaughan, Ben Bates, Michael Sims, Jeremy Anderson, Kris Cox, Hunter Haas, Zoran Zorkic, and Josh Broadaway.

The shootout will feature Bruce Vaughan and Ben Bates, both which played in the Wichita Open twenty years ago. Vaughan is now a premier member of the Champions Tour. In 2008 Vaughan won the Senior British Open Championship. This year he was at the top of the leaderboard to win the Senior British Open Championships, and he tied for eighth place. Ben Bates is an essential member of the Nationwide Tour. Bates, has played in 366 Nationwide Tour events, made 212 cuts, a Tour record, and he is the only man alive who has played more than 1,000 competitive rounds.

5 June 2009

Ten sports figures and one team will be inducted in to the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame at the museum’s annual induction ceremonies on June 20.

One of those members is PHS’ own Wichita Open Director, Roy Turner. Turner had a long, storied career in soccer on the field and as a coach and administrator and in the last decade made a name for himself as director of the Wichita Open event on the PGA’s Nationwide Tour.

Turner came to Wichita in 1979 as coach of the Wichita Wings of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He coached for seven years, taking the Wings to the playoff semifinals five times, then became president and made the Wings the longest running soccer franchise in the U.S. He resigned in 1996.

“We couldn’t be happier for Roy,” said Marlon Dauner. “His commitment to the city of Wichita, from the Wings to the Wichita Open, is matched by few others. This is a well deserved honor and we congratulate Roy on this tremendous achievement.”

The induction will take place at 2 p.m. at Hillside Christian Church fellowship hall, 8330 E. Douglas.

5 June 2009

Cox is proud to announce the 4th Annual Cox Community Concert featuring The Neville Brothers at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 1 at Crestview Country Club.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Admission to the concert is free, but concert goers must have a ticket to get in.

Come early as seating is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers are not allowed, but refreshments will be available.

Concert tickets are available at Cox Store locations - 725 E. Douglas, 8338 E. 21st Street and at 2556 N. Maize Road – and Clear Channel radio at 9323 E. 37th St. N.. Parking is available at Hawker Beechcraft and shuttle buses will transport to and from Crestview. The first shuttle run is at 6:15 p.m.

“Cox Communications is excited to bring this free concert to Wichita in conjunction with the Wichita Open,” said Kimberly Edmunds, senior regional vice president for Cox Kansas/Arkansas. “It’s a great opportunity for the people of our community to spend time with friends and family while enjoying the music of The Neville Brothers.”

The concert is the first of several events that will take place during the Wichita Open week—the only PGA Tour stop in Kansas.

18 May 2009

The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee and Via Christi Children’s Miracle Network have been named 2009 Co-Charities of the Year on the Nationwide Tour.

Via Christi Children’s Miracle Network is the beneficiary of the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee is the recipient of charitable proceeds from the Chattanooga Classic presented by Black Creek.

As the Nationwide Tour’s Co-Charities of the Year, Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee and Via Christi Children’s Miracle Network will receive $15,000 checks from the PGA TOUR to further impact their programs and services.   

”For 20 years now, the Nationwide Tour and all of its tournaments have worked hard to have an impact in the hundreds of communities where our events are played,” said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee.  “We have so many worthy benefiting organizations that it is always a challenge to single one or two out.  The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee and the Via Christi Children’s Miracle Network stand out in their commitment to do great things for the people they represent.  We are honored to be able to recognize them and help further their efforts.”

Via Christi Children’s Miracle Network

"We are privileged to be selected for this honor this year,” said Jim Barber, president of Via Christi Foundation/Children’s Miracle Network.  “This gift will go a long way in meeting the needs of Kansas children and their families.  We have been very proud to be a part of the Nationwide Tour’s Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open.  This gift along with the dollars raised from the past tournaments will truly make an impact in our ability to meet the needs of the families in Kansas.  Thank you, PGA TOUR."

“We are proud of our relationship with Via Christi Children’s Miracle Network and the difference they make in people’s lives,” said Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open tournament director Roy Turner. 

For a family, a child's medical concerns can be a real strain on their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. The Via Christi Children's Miracle Network exists to help families throughout Kansas ensure that their children receive the fullest care possible, without regard to illness, ability to pay or physician's hospital affiliation. Funds are used to provide assistance with expenses not covered by insurance such as medications, therapy, hearing aids, wheelchairs and family travel expenses related to the child's hospital stay.  Since 1984, Via Christi Children's Miracle Network has raised more than $15 million, with every dollar raised staying in Kansas to help children in need.

The Nationwide Tour and its tournaments join the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour in their commitment to support charitable organizations in the communities where they play.  The events annually benefit 2,000 organizations and countless individuals.  Cumulatively, the three tours have generated nearly $1.38 billion for charity through 2008, with the first donation having been made in 1938. 

Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee

“What a special and timely honor it is, especially during these economic times, for the Chattanooga community, the Chattanooga Classic and the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee to be recognized by the Nationwide Tour with this prestigious award,” said tournament director Chip Baker.  “This fulfills one of the major purposes of the Nationwide Tour and the Chattanooga Classic, helping people in need by giving to local charities.”

“With this award, the Nationwide Tour and the Chattanooga Classic will truly be helping people in need and making a difference in the lives of people who live with epilepsy, their loved ones and care givers,” said Marsha Gentry, president of the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee. 

The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee diligently works to ensure that people with epilepsy are able to participate in all life experiences.  The Foundation strives to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and research.  These funds will be used to fulfill this mission, which includes the increased need for the purchase of seizure medications during the challenging current economic times.

The 2009 Chattanooga Classic presented by Black Creek will be played Oct. 8-11 and the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open Aug. 6-9.

18 May 2009

The Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open announced that the tournament’s first champion, Tom Lehman, will be the honorary chairman for this year’s 20th-anniversary event.  In 1990, the first year of the Nationwide Tour, Lehman claimed a one-shot victory over Greg Whisman in what was then called the Ben Hogan Reflection Ridge Open, played at Reflection Ridge Golf Club in Wichita.

Lehman has agreed to allow the tournament to use his name to promote the 20th Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open and will participate in select media opportunities as well as sign a number of souvenir items.

“Over the course of the 20 years we are celebrating, Tom Lehman has been one of the best examples of what the Nationwide Tour is all about,” said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee.  “He arrived on the Tour in 1990 full of promise and talent and very shortly thereafter began achieving big results.  Once he played his way onto the PGA TOUR, it didn’t take long for him to become one of the Tour’s genuine stars, both on and off the golf course.  We often speak about the impact the Nationwide Tour has had on the PGA TOUR.  There may be no better example of this than Tom Lehman.  We thank him for supporting the 20th playing of the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open.”

“We couldn’t be happier to announce that Tom Lehman has accepted our invitation to be honorary chairman during this very special year for the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open,” said tournament chairman Marlon Dauner.  “Tom’s willingness to support our event 20 years later speaks to his character and is a reminder to everyone that he doesn’t forget those who’ve helped him along the way.  We sincerely thank Tom for lending his name to our 20th-year celebration.”

“I was honored when the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open approached me about lending my name to their 20th-annual event,” said Tom Lehman.  “The win at Reflection Ridge was my first big win as a professional and you can only imagine how much it did to boost my confidence and my career.  The next year I managed to win three times and then it was on to the PGA TOUR.   The Nationwide Tour and Wichita have meant a great deal to me, so I was more than happy to help Roy Turner and everyone in Wichita make the 2009 tournament a very special one.”

To read more about Tom Lehman's achievements, click here.

17 April 2009

Crestview Country Club will host the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open for the ninth consecutive year this August.  Crestview offers a refined golf experience with over 6,900 yards of challenging terrain for the tournament.  This particular year the course will play like never before as important changes are planed that could make a difference for the Nationwide players. 

The north course is under renovation and will be ready for play in late June.  Crestview is converting the fairways to Zoysia and the greens to A1/A4 Bentgrass. Zoysia grass offers durability for the course especially in low water times of the year, and should keep the fairways in pristine condition for the tournament.  A1/A4 Bentgrass is a proven putting surface in multiple climates.  It is durable and provides a smooth, seamless putting surface.

“We hope that this will place us in the top tier for Wichita,” Ken Nicholas, general manager at Crestview, said.  “Our course features rolling hills, mature trees and a variety of creeks and water hazards.”

Nicholas said he welcomes the tournament each year as it provides a unique opportunity for the course to benefit.

“This event places us at the forefront of Wichita for a good month leading up to and including the tournament,” he said.  “We had the Governor as a guest speaker for media day last year. We also do well on food and beverage that week as we cater several events and provide daily food for the players, and typically we see increased member activity during the weekend leading up to tournament week.”

For all the benefits the tourney brings, there is still much work that goes into the “Party on 18 Dance Floors”.  Nicholas said there are planning meetings all year to prepare for the one week in August.  Course preparationsstart about a month before the tournament as rough, green, and fairway heights are altered to add difficulty. 

 “The Wichita Open allows Crestview to showcase the facility to the community,” Nicholas said.  “It also allows our members to get a firsthand look at the future of the PGA tour and participate in unique events.”

6 March 2009

The PHS Wichita Open, in partnership with a sport management class at Wichita State University, has entered the world of social networking to better interact with a variety of key publics.  Social networking has arguably become the all-in-all buzzword of the last half-decade.  It is a whole new world of virtual resources, and it is changing the way people connect with the world.  The Open’s goal is not just to market a prestigious golf tournament, but to engage people leading up to the event--a local, weeklong experience to be enjoyed by all. 

The graduate Communication in Sport class at Wichita State has been tasked with assisting the Open’s staff in activating social networking tools. Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are just a few of the avenues that the class is using, while other tools include Wikipedia, Knol, Friendfeed and Digg.

The question posed by so many is exactly how to take on this very opportunity.  Michael J. Wolf, former President and C.O.O. of MTV Networks, was quoted on Forbes.com saying, “Data is just as likely to be as big a piece of the business equation as advertising. Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter already possess billions of pieces of useful data that can infer so much about what's happening--and what's going to happen--in consumer society. Already, it's a powerful utility for people to make connections that will lead to business opportunities.” 

These networking hubs are an opportunity for the Open to grow.  Over the next few newsletters we will explain in detail how the Open is using these resources, and how you can help us realize the potential that is social networking.