Skinner opens 2010 PGA Tournament Series with playoff victory

Sonny Skinner of Sylvester, Ga., made a two-putt par on the first playoff hole Tuesday (Nov. 30) to win the opening event of the 34th annual PGA Tournament Series. It was Skinner’s third Tournament Series victory; the last two years on the Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club and in 2006 on the adjacent Ryder Course. Skinner’s three wins all came on opening day.

 

Skinner and Adam Rainaud of South Hadley, Mass., had tied at eight under par 136. The latter closed with the low round of the tournament, 66 with three birdies on each nine, then losing when he made his only bogey of the day at the par-4 18th.

 

"I knew I was in trouble when Sonny hit his tee shot into the fairway on the playoff hole," Rainaud said. An assistant at Orchards Golf Club, Rainaud, 24, drove into a fairway bunker, hit the lip of the bunker with his second shot, and watched as the ball careened into a lake across the fairway. After taking his drop, Rainaud hit the green and sank a 12-foot putt for bogey.

 

"He made me make that three-footer to win," smiled Skinner, 50, who two-putted from 25 feet for the victory. A PGA teaching professional at River Pointe Golf Club in Albany, Ga., Skinner made four bogeys in 36 holes, all by three-putting. "I still feel I played pretty well," with an eagle Monday and five birdies each day for 67-69. "I was eight-under-par after 12 holes today, bogeyed 13 and 14, and then birdied 15 and 16."

 

Gary Trivisonno of Aurora, Ohio, who had shared the first round lead with Skinner and Simon McGreal of Greensboro, N.C., bogeyed the final hole for 70-137. He had birdied Nos.15, 16 and 17 and overall made seven birdies and five bogeys. McGreal closed with 78-145 to miss the money list by a stroke. He had a triple bogey at the par-4 14th hole, two birdies, three bogeys and a double.

 

There were 54 starters and a purse of $13,500 for the first of six Series events this season. Skinner earned $2,700.

 

PGA of America Tournament Series 

PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Fla. 

Wanamaker Course (Par-72, 7,000 yards)

 

Sonny Skinner, Sylvester, Ga., $2,700 67-69—136#

Adam Rainaud, South Yardley, Mass., $1,950 70-66—136

Gary Trivisonno, Aurora, Ohio, $1,225 67-70—137

Charles Meola, Mamaroneck, N.Y, $858.33 69-69—138

Dwayne Randall, Findley Lake, N.Y., $858.33 68-70—138

Blanton Ressin, Vail, Colo., $858.33 68-70—138

Mark Brown, Glen Head, N.Y., $675 69-70—139

Ken Martin, Wellington, $560 72-68—140

Mike San Filippo, Hobe Sound, Fla. $560 71-69—140

Jeff Sorenson, Blaine, Minn., $560 70-70—140

Bill Murchison, Canton, Ga., $560 69-71—140

Chris Borgen, Eagan, Minn., $455 72-70—142

Mike Smith, Titusville, $455 72-70—142

Colin McKern, Hoover, Ala., $412.50 71-72—143

Frank Bensel, Purchase, N.Y., $412.50 68-75—143

Rick Schuller, Chester, Va., $100 74-70—144

Devin Gee, Oakmont, Pa., $100 71-73—144

Frank Dully, Salem, Mass., $100 69-75—144

Mark Faulkner, Marion, Ill., $100 68-76—144

(Won playoff, with par-4 on first extra hole)