After knocking on the door in the
past few playings of the United
States Golf Teaches Cup, Christopher
Richards of Trinidad & Tobago finally
opened it himself, winning the 2010
title at Primm Valley Golf Club in
Primm, Nevada, in convincing fashion.
Previously a two-time runner-up in
2006 and 2009, Richards left nothing
to chance this time by cruising to a
4-shot victory on scores of 70-70 -
140 at the Lakes and Desert courses.
Jerry Moore from Florida, playing
out of the Super Senior division, finished second with 72-72 - 144.
Due to Richards’ steady play, Moore
was unable to mount a consistent
challenge. Martin Mills from the Senior
division finished third with 75-71 -
146, and Cole Golden from Kansas
finished in third at 147, tied with Matt
Smith from Ohio who fi red 75-72.
Three former champions were in
the field: Dave Belling from Canada,
Mark Harman from South Carolina,
and Moore. Although each of the
three had won the tournament in
the past, Richards was considered
the pre-tournament favorite due to
his performances in recent years. In
addition to being a two-time runnerup
in this event, Richards won the
2007 individual championship
at the World Golf Teachers Cup
in Boulder City, Nevada, and
was also instrumental in leading
Caribbean (representing Trinidad &
Tobago) to the team title that year.
After opening with a 70,
Richards found himself with a
2-stroke advantage over Moore and
Golden. Luis Menezes from Brazil
was another shot back at 73, as was
Ted Williams from Canada, playing
from the Senior division. Belling
was within striking distance at 74.
Day two saw Belling struggle
all day as he finished with a 79,
as did Menezes with an 80. After a
lackluster 80, Harman flashed the
form he had in previous years by
shooting 70, which tied for the lowest
score of the tournament. Richards
played steady golf as others were
unable to put a dent into his lead.
Ingrid Narken captured the
Ladies title in her first try with 83-72
- 155, with Melody Robinson from
Canada finishing second at 80-79 -
159. California’s Mills won the Senior
division championship with 75-71 -
146. Moore did manage to win the
Super Senior title, his sixth division
victory in the past seven years. A new
division, the Legends, was contested
for the first time for players 70 and
older. Bert Boyce from Ohio captured
that title, outlasting John Linton
from Texas by shooting 86-79 - 155.
Golden and Smith finished second
behind Richards in the Open division.
During the closing banquet and
awards ceremony, the inaugural USGTF Hall of Fame induction
ceremony took place. Six previous
USGTF members were inducted in
2004, but no formal ceremony was
held. Present this year were Thomas
Wartelle, Mike Perez, Jim Perez,
Anthony Benny, and Ricky Campbell.
Also inaugurated, but not present for
the ceremony, were Herbert “Turk”
Walker, Robert “Rock” Robinson,
Richard Eaton (posthumous), Babe
Bellagamba (posthumous), and Julius
Richardson (posthumous). Mike
Stevens was to be inducted but could
not be present, and his induction
will be postponed until 2011.
Each inductee present spoke
poignantly about their lives and their
careers, and all gathered agreed it
was a ceremony not to be missed in
future years.
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