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$15 000 for New Golden Tee World Champion
The 2nd annual Golden Tee World Championship was held last week, where 32 of the world's top players met at Friday's Front Row in Orlando, Florida to compete, with Chris Eversole taking the 2003 title home and the U.S.A. winning the team trophy.
The first day of the competition saw a 16-man U.S. team defeat a 16-man international squad 28-20 to win the World Championship trophy. This was the U.S.'s second straight win, but the margin of victory tightened to only eight points. Last year Team USA won 34-14. The World Team was comprised of players from Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and for the first time, South Africa.
Gary Walters of ITS Games Canada in Toronto commented that although the World Team came up short in the point total, the Americans didn't intimidate them. "The U.S. team is very talented, but it's clear that players from outside America are getting better," he said.
"Players from every country helped contribute this year and the championship final between our Tim Glenn and Chris Eversole was extremely close until the final hole. We're already looking forward to next year's competition and hopefully a different outcome," Mr Walters said.
The individual competition held on day two ended with the crowning of a new Golden Tee World Champion. Chris Eversole of Atlanta, Georgia beat Tim Glenn of Toronto to earn $15,000 and the title. Mr Eversole had beaten reigning world champion, Graig Kinzler, earlier in the competition to earn a spot in the finals. Mr Kinzler finished third, while Martin Awatere of New Zealand was a surprise fourth-place finisher.
"Graig was a great champ this past year," said Scott Morrison, IT's vice president of marketing. "And we're looking forward to working with Chris as we continue to shine a spotlight on Golden Tee and the guys who play it."
According to Bob Fay, IT's vice president of international sales, the global popularity of Golden Tee continues to grow. "The number of Golden Tee games outside the U.S. increases every month," he said. "Our international operators are making money with Golden Tee because the players see value in not only playing the game, but winning money in our online tournaments. It's a successful combination and it's our intention to keep the momentum going," Mr Fay said.
Plans are already underway for next year's championship, and according to Mr Fay, the world team can't wait. "Our international partners are already plotting their strategy for next year," Mr Fay said. "They really believe they can take the title away, but until then we keep the World Championship trophy here at home where it belongs!"
PICTURED: The new Golden Tee World Champion - Chris Eversole. Besides winning the title and $15,000, Chris Eversole was inducted into the Golden Tee Society - and is wearing the Golden Tee Bomber Jacket signifying membership in the Society.
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