University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Vol Skinns Claims Local Tourney
May 16, 2011 | Men's Golf
May 16, 2011
In his second season on the NGA/Hooters Tour, University of Tennessee alumnus David Skinns won three times, amassed over $134,000 in winnings and captured Player of the Year honors.
Unfortunately for Skinns, that was in 2008 and the Lincoln, England, native hadn't won since. But a trip to his former stomping grounds rekindled the former All-SEC team member's game this week.
Skinns shot a final-round 64 to come from behind and win the NGA/Hooters Tour's River Islands Golf Club Classic in Kodak, just miles from where he played his collegiate golf, by one shot over 2010 PGA Tour member Chris Wilson.
"It was awesome to win, but it was really special to see all those familiar faces," said Skinns, who played at UT from 2001-05 and was the 2005 SEC Championship medalist. "It's really nice to win this early in the season; it takes the pressure off."
Started Sunday Three Shots Back
Skinns started the final round of the $200,000 event tied for fourth and three shots off the lead, knowing a hot start was important to pull himself into contention. After back-to-back pars to start the round, Skinns ran off five birdies over the final seven holes on the front nine to make the turn in 31.
"I really felt like I had a chance after the front nine," said Skinns. "The front nine was tough and the wind was blowing today, so I knew I probably made up some shots. But with the guys I was chasing, I knew I had to keep my foot on the gas pedal on the backside."
Skinns did just that, recording three more birdies to finish with the clubhouse lead. Wilson, of Dublin, Ohio, had a chance to tie Skinns with a birdie on the 72nd hole, but he carded a par on the final hole of regulation to finish one shot back.
Despite the windy conditions, Skinns and Wilson both managed to go bogey-free around the 7,001-yard layout in the final round.
"The key today for me was making no mistakes," said Skinns, who won $28,000. "I played well all week, but having no mistakes in the final round was very important."
Former Vol Philip Pettitt Jr., of Murfreesboro, made a nice charge up the leaderboard in the final round. Pettitt, who won two weeks ago at the Savannah Lakes Village Classic, carded a 66 on Sunday to move from T12 to T5. Pettitt earned $6,405.
Complete NGA/Hooters Tour River Islands Golf Club Classic leaderboard.
Story courtesy NGAtour.com.
Ford 12th on European Challenge Tour
Another former Vol in the professional ranks, Charlie Ford, is having success on the European PGA Challenge Tour.
Ford owns a pair of top-20 finishes this season and currently stands 12th on the 2011 Challenge Tour Rankings with approximately $20,310 in earnings.
The Leicester, England, native placed fourth at the recent Allianz Challenge de France at Disneyland Paris after leading through three rounds, and was 11th at the season-opening Gujarat Kensville Challenge in Ahmedabad, India.
Ford lettered for the Vols from 2005-08.
