Defending champ forges tie to set up final-round shootout at Pinehurst

PINEHURST, N.C. -- Defending Champion Stonebridge Ranch Country Club of McKinney, Texas, and Whispering Lakes Golf Course of Ontario, Calif., each used round-saving performances Tuesday afternoon on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 to set up a shootout finale in the third McGladrey Team Championship.

The Southern California PGA Section Team is looking to dethrone the defending champions from Texas. (Photo: The PGA of America)

Boosted by Eric Kelley's curling 51-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th hole and PGA Professional Joe Menton's holing out for par from a greenside bunker on the sixth hole, Stonebridge Ranch moved into a 36-hole tie with first-round leader Whispering Lakes, the Southern California PGA Section champion, at 42-under-par 246.

Whispering Lakes was carried by three birdies by former University of Southern California linebacker Larry Metter, including two in the final three holes.

Tavistock Country Club of Haddonfield, N.J., the Philadelphia PGA Section champion, picked up two strokes on its opening hole and was third alone at 247. Stonewall Orchard Golf Club of Grayslake, Ill., the Illinois Champion, was next at 250 and Northern Ohio Champion Steubenville Country Club fifth at 252.

The 164-player field, represented by 41 PGA Section foursomes, concludes play Wednesday in the grassroots best-ball national championship hosted by Pinehurst Resort.

"I've got just great amateur partners," said Whispering Lakes PGA Professional Tim Walsh. "I thought that I could do a good job of helping them all read the greens, but the greens have a lot of hidden breaks. They are much trickier than what I remember when I played here 12 years ago. But this is just a great place to play golf."

Metter collected birdies on the ninth, 16th and 18th holes, more than enough support for his team that had opened the back nine with a bogey on the par-5 10th hole.

"I thought that the greens were perfect," said Metter, of Valencia, Calif. "We were able to make some putts and it was nice to be where we are."

Tavistock Country Club PGA Professional Rick Hughart said that his team had all the momentum on the opening hole when it picked up two strokes on a net birdie and a natural birdie.

"Starting 3 under par was great, and we fed off each other throughout the rest of the round," said Hughart, whose team made nine birdies on Pinehurst No. 4. "Three of us putted well today, and one who putted inconsistently managed to make the four-footers coming back."

Stonebridge Ranch Country Club's Menton said that he also would pass out MVP medals to his amateur partners.

"I did not play well today, and feel that I have had problems misclubbing," said Menton. "I hit the ball right of No. 6, then tried to finesse the chip shot back to the green and it fell into the bunker. I was fortunate to hole it out from there. What was great was to see Eric play so well. He hit the fairways and greens, which is what gives you the big advantage on Pinehurst No. 2.

"I've said it before, but these guys are unaffected by both course and weather conditions. It's a real treat for them to play here on courses that are so well manicured. They have responded being good chippers and putters."

"Eric just truly bailed us out today," said James Freed, 66, of Lewisville, Texas. "And we needed it."

Kelley said that his purchase of a putting device for home practice has helped his game.

"I'm a stronger player this year than last, and I felt I can putt better, too," said Kelley. "I rolled the putter really well today. The eagle putt was right to left, and it broke about four or five feet. I just hit it and then was pretty amazed to see it breaking down and into the hole."

The McGladrey Team Championship, The PGA of America's first nationwide grassroots best-ball amateur championship, features a total combined professional and amateur purse of $200,000.

The field will play the final round on Pinehurst Courses No. 2 and 4. Amateur players receive 75 percent of their course handicap allowance and each player must post a score on three of the holes. Two net best-ball scores are used to determine the overall 18-hole score.

The McGladrey Team Championship is a result of a partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting firm of The PGA of America. RSM McGladrey is the fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm in the country when considered with McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a partner-owned CPA firm).

For more information, please visit www.PGA.com/teamchampionship

About RSM McGladrey
RSM McGladrey is a leading professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting. McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a U.S.-based partner-owned CPA firm) delivers audit and attest services. RSM McGladrey and McGladrey & Pullen operate in an alternative practice structure. Though separate and independent legal entities, they can work together to serve clients' business needs.

Together, the companies rank as the fifth largest U.S. provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services (source: Public Accounting Report), with nearly 8,000 professionals and associates in more than 120 offices nationwide. RSM McGladrey Inc. and McGladrey & Pullen LLP are member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM McGladrey is the official accounting, tax and business consulting firm of The PGA of America.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.