Bulldog Golf Story #7 in 2010: The Stadion Athens Classic and The Tee-Off Village

This past May, The Nationwide Tour came back to Athens with a new name and a new twist. The Stadion Athens Classic was played on the UGA Golf Course as the course played host to the Nationwide Tour for the first time.  The Robert Trent Jones layout was in perfect condition during tournament week and drew rave reviews from the players who started nicknaming the 7,240 yard course the "Nationwide's Augusta".

Spectators watching the action on #17

 The Athens and UGA communities came out in strong numbers to support the event, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to local charities through a program named Tickets FORE Charity.  The tournament distributed $88,000 to 37 local charities, in the first year of the event.
Martin Piller won the tournament at 12 under 272, one better than Daniel Summerhays.  Nine current and former Bulldogs played in the event with Kevin Kisner having the best showing in tying for 10th.
 Because the event is held on the home course of the Georgia Bulldog Golf Team, the Stadion Athens Classic invites two current members of the men's golf team to play along side the professionals and compete in the tournament.  The two players who receive the sponsor invitation's are the two individuals on the team who have the lowest stroke averages over the course of the current season.  This past year those invitations went to Russell Henley and Harris English.

Russell Henley competing in The Stadion Athens Classic

Harris English tied for 27th in the Stadion Athens Classic

Bulldogs	Scores	Finish
Justin Bolli	74-69-7273--288	T60
Paul Claxton	72-69-71-75--287	T56
Harris English(a)	68-73-70-71--282	T27
Brian Harmon	73-70-66-72--281	T18
Russell Henley(a)	73-70-73-67--283	T35
Chris Kirk	69-73-68-73--283	T35
Kevin Kisner	73-65-72-70--280	T10
Matt Peterson	71-76--147(+5)	m/c
Brendon Todd	76-74--150(+8)	m/c

The UGA Tee-Off Village

One of the highlights of the week was the Tee-Off Club Village, which was located behind the #17 green.  The Village, a full service hospitality area,  allowed viewing of multiple areas on the golf course.  Admission to the Village was reserved for members of the UGA Tee-Off Club and allowed the members to come out and cheer both the former Bulldogs and the current Bulldogs.  Both English and Henley were fresh off winning the program's 28th SEC Championship, with Henley taking the individual title at the SEC Championship.
The UGA Tee-Off Club will again have The Village on the grounds of the UGA Golf Course during the Stadion Athens Classic again this May.  Make plans to come cheer the Dawgs on the golf course May 5-8.  Additional information can be found at www.stadionathensclassic.uga.edu.