For decades, Augustans have watched some of the greatest players on the professional tour come through the area. Now, some of the great local amateur players – and even the not-so-great ones – have an opportunity to experience the tour life.
Marcus Maddox, a sales consultant for KAMO, has created the Augusta chapter of the Amateur Players Tour, a national organization with tours in about 40 cities nationwide.
“It’s designed to provide the average Joe with the PGA tour experience,” Maddox said. “It’s for players of all skill sets.”
The tour has five flights, for players with handicaps of just a few over par up to those whose handicaps exceed 18. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.
Maddox has played amateur golf in the area for several years and competed in best-ball tournaments. But he wanted something more.
“I’m competitive, I do like to win, so I got into the amateur golf tour,” he said. “Then the co-founders asked me to start a chapter in Augusta.”
It’s fitting that Augusta, whose legendary Masters tournament was started by Bobby Jones, perhaps the greatest amateur golfer in history, now has a tour for amateur players.
“I grew up in Augusta and Bobby Jones has always been an inspiration for me,” Maddox said. “It’s awesome to carry on that legacy of the Masters. We think of ourselves as an arm of what they embody.”
The tour plays with USGA rules and has the feel of an official tour event with randomized pairings, starters announcing the players on the first tee, and trophies and monetary winnings. USGA rules allow players to win up to $750 per tournament and still maintain amateur status.
The Augusta chapter has about 60 members. Nationally, about 4,000 amateurs compete in the Amateur Players Tour.
While some skilled players are involved, the flights by handicap allow everyone to be competitive. One flight of a tournament was won by a player shooting a 98.
“We have guys come out and shoot a 114 but by flighting by handicap it makes it fair for everyone,” Maddox said.
So far, tournaments have taken place at West Lake Country Club, Belle Meade in Thompson, and The Aiken Golf Club. Future events are slated for The River Golf Club on June 6; Champions Retreat, June 20; Savannah Lakes, June 25-26; and Forest Hills Golf Club, July 16.
Not only do members of the Augusta Amateur Players Tour play tournaments on some of the best courses in the area, but they can also compete in national events at courses like Pinehurst #2 in North Carolina, Chambers Bay in Washington, Bandon Dunes in Oregon and TPC San Antonio in Texas.
Members can play in all tournament events, which require an additional entry fee, and non-members can play up to two events with the entry fee. The Augusta Amateur Players Tour is a non-profit so all money goes back into the tour.
Maddox said since the covid pandemic, interest in golf in the area has grown and he believes the Amateur Players Tour will continue to foster that growth.
“It’s part of the mission to grow golf in the area,” he said.
For more information about the Augusta chapter, visit www.facebook.com/augustagolftour/ or amateurplayerstour.com/augusta/.
