GOLF NEWS Jhonattan Vegas, the Venezuelan golf eminence won the Argentina Open Jhonattan Vegas wins the 105 Argentina Open and becomes the first Venezuelan in winning such prestige tournament. Jhonattan played this Sunday (12/12/2010) a round of 71 (+1) shots to accumulate 270 (-10) for the four days of the tournament, and win with an advantage of 6 shots on its more nearby competitor the Argentine Andrés Romero (-4). In a day where the golf facilities closing rumors in Venezuela were on everyone’s lips, Jhonattan Vegas demonstrated with high standards the quality of the Venezuelan golf. The combat, disputed in the meadows of the Jockey Club of Buenos Aires, was controlled with authority by the native leader. Vegas comes from humble origin and now is complicated for him to be coached. “We come from a humble family that had always to work hard to achieve things in life. We never were a family that had it all, but my dad always gave us everything that he considered enough for us to have the opportunity to utilize the golf sport”, affirmed the golfer. When they asked if the golf is a middle-class sport, Vegas said that “we (society) have created that stigma because in reality we have not done anything to carry golf to the people. The only people that have had the privilege to be able to utilize the golf installations are the ones that have purchasing power”. One of the things that I aspire to do is to carry this sport to the all the people and let them know a lot more about it” He finalized saying after his great triumph. Jhonattan Vegas is the first Venezuelan golfer in the history who will play in the PGA Tour of the United States and without doubt the best Venezuelan player in the history of our golf so far.
Appleby named 2010 PGA TOUR Comeback Player of the Year
One year after finishing outside the top 125 for the first time since his rookie season in 1996, Australia’s Stuart Appleby was honored as the 2010 PGA TOUR Comeback Player of the Year. Appleby earned the award via a vote by his fellow competitors following a season that included a historic final-round 59 en route to victory at The Greenbrier Classic. “Congratulations to Stuart Appleby for being voted the PGA TOUR Comeback Player of the year by his peers,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Stuart showed great perseverance in returning to the winner’s circle at The Greenbrier Classic in a historic manner.” Appleby was selected for PGA TOUR Comeback Player of the Year over Arjun Atwal and Rocco Mediate. Appleby, who has represented the International Team at The Presidents Cup on five occasions, struggled in 2009, as he was not eligible for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup and finished 137th on the money list after just one top-10 finish in 25 starts. Appleby utilized a one-time, top 25 career money exemption in 2010 and worked overtime to regain his form. Between May and August, he played 13 consecutive weeks, with The Greenbrier Classic victory inside that 13-week stretch. The win was his ninth career title, and his final-round 59 was the fifth in PGA TOUR history and just the second-ever posted during a final round. On the season, Appleby totaled three top 10s in 31 starts, finished 38th on the money list and played his way into the first three Playoff events. Appleby also had international success in 2010, winning the JBWere Masters in Australia in November. With the The Presidents Cup 2011 being held in his homeland of Australia, Appleby is currently 23rd in the International Team standings (the top 10 in the standings as of Sept. 19, 2011, automatically makethe team, with two additional players selected by International Team Captain Greg Norman). www.golfconnectionmag.com | GOLF CONNECTION
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