Moderate winds, along with what some players noted, "diabolical greens", kept low scores at bay, with no sub par rounds on the weekend. The field recorded 5 eagles, and 241 birdies and the course played to just over 15 over. 36 National Championship and Senior National Championship invitations were given to the top three and ties, with eight of eleven flights seeing first time Major Champions.
It was no coincidence that the field was made up of a majority of Dallas Tour players, but the surprise came from Hill Country Tour, the smallest in the state, and it's five victories, including the top three flights that went home to members working at Fort Hood. Dallas Tour members took four Championships, one went to the Houston area and a single trophy traveled back to Missouri.
Michael Campbell of New Braunfels, TX, padded his pockets and the Golf Channel AM Tour will send another $500 to the Troops First Foundation with his first career hole in one on the par 3 - 5th on Saturday with a 7 iron from 148 yards. Additionally, over $1,300 was raised for David Feherty's Troops First Foundation.through the 50/50 raffle.
RESULTS:
Championship Flight: First round leader, Marco Palacios of Austin, TX, ran into trouble on his Sunday round opening the door for Killeen, TX, resident, Jordan Massey. Massey, with eight birdies on the weekend, including the final hole, par 5 - 18th picked up his second win in three attempts on tour and first Major Championship. Plano, TX, first year player Gant Bills, playing to a combined total +3 in four rounds on tour, finished two strokes back for the runner up spot. Second year tour player, Jared Taylor of Edmond, OK, a six time winner on tour during two seasons, rounded out the top three grabbing the final National Championship Qualification of the flight.
Palmer Flight: In his final hurrah as a Fort Hood, TX, resident, Jacob Morton, would pick up his second Red River Shootout victory, his tenth win on tour and fourth Major Championship. But, it wouldn't come without extra work. Morton, on his way to the Beltway with his new position at the Pentagon, birdied his 36th hole of the weekend to draw a tie with Ron Finnerty of San Antonio, TX. Finnerty, with three birdies on the weekend, got even with Morton after 27 holes, but could only match him on the final nine. Both back out to the par 4 - 1st hole for the sudden death playoff, Morton would get up and down for the Championship. Two strokes back of the pair, David Wright of Flower Mound, TX, made eagle three on the par 5 - 18th, his final hole of the weekend, to snatch a share of the third place honors with San Antonio, TX member Dave Davlin for the National Championship invites.
Senior Palmer Flight: Robert Lippert of Copperas Cove, TX, made it a trio of Fort Hood members to take home the crystal. Lippert, with three birdies on his opening round, built a seven stroke advantage on Saturday and was able to cruise on Sunday for his ninth win on tour, second major and fourth win of the season. Playing along side of Lippert in the final pairing, Traylor Sells of Cypress, TX, the 2013 Red River Shootout at WinStar Resort Champion and Midland, TX, player Al Smith matched scores on both rounds to share the runner up finish.
Hogan Flight: Dallas Tour member, Cory Welch of Fort Worth, TX, used birdies on the par 3 - 5th and par 3 - 14th on Sunday to take seven strokes off his opening round to win it by one. Welch, a winner his last time out at the Myrtle Beach Classic Major, picked up his eighth win on tour and third Major Championship. Michael Campbell of New Braunfels, TX, added five birdies on the weekend to his hole in one on Saturday to jump into the second place finish with first round leader, Derrick Matthews of Killeen, TX and Sapulpa, OK player Tams Howard. Howard added four birdies on Sunday to one carded on Saturday for his first National Championship Qualification.
Senior Hogan Flight: Bob Hunter of Lees Summit, MO, led wire to wire to become the only out of Texas winner on the weekend. Hunter, a six time winner on tour, three time winner on the season, picked up his first Major Championship in thirty two Major starts on his AM Tour career. One stroke back, Magnolia, TX resident, George Smith, a four time winner on tour, carded his eighth runner up finish taking three strokes off his first round total. Two strokes back, Dallas Tour member, Jalil Daneshfar of Trophy Club, TX, and Wentzville, MO, player Michael Quesenberry, with two birdies on his final round split the final Senior National Championship qualification spots.
Sarazen Flight: Fort Worth, TX, player Preston Miller used two birdies on Saturday to stay within one stroke of the lead. Sunday, Miller would play the front nine in +3, but ran into trouble on the back, starting with a triple on the 10th hole, but did just what he needed to do to pick up his fourth win on tour and first Major Championship by a single stroke. Oklahoma City, OK native, Kevin Stevens, now residing in Wesley Chapel, FL, and son Mitch Stevens of Valrico, FL, finished National Championship qualifications, in second and third respectively.
Senior Sarazen Flight: With caddie in tow, Mark Donohue of Lewisville, TX made a walk along the Red River work to his first Major Championship and fourth win on tour. Donohue matched +9 - 81's on both days for a two stroke lead over, 2013 Red River Shootout at WinStar Resort playoff Champion, Stan Wilson of Jones, OK and St Charles, MO, member, Thomas Pryor splitting the runner up finish. It was Pryor's best finish at a Major Championship in six attempts.
Jones Flight: Stuck in a three way tie for second after the Saturday round, Larry Atchley of Kyle, TX, shot a flight low round on Sunday to become a Major Champion and four time winner on tour. First round leader, Portland, TX, resident, James Price finished four strokes back, for the runner up spot, his best finish in a Major. Two strokes back of Price, Brandon Walters of Springdale, AR matched his best finish at a Major with a third place finish at the 2014 The Sooner State Showdown.
Senior Jones Flight: In a hotly contested 24 player flight, where the top seven players were only separated by four strokes, first round leader, Randy Helcel of Lott, TX, was surprised to learn he was tied in the top spot after a mediocre Sunday Round. When Lakeway, TX member Donald Bebout, was not available for the extra holes playoff, Helcel would pick up his first win on tour. Bebout will take home the runner up finish, with Terry Collins of Spring, TX, carding birdie on the eighteenth hole on Sunday for the final Senior National Championship qualification.
Snead Flight: Tulsa, OK, resident, William Hughes became a first time winner in three years on tour at the April, Dallas Tour, Castle Hills Masters and hasn't stopped yet. With his final round 93 it was just enough to pick up his first Major Championship and third win in as many attempts. Corpus Christi, TX, resident William Speck, took seven strokes off his Saturday round on Sunday to finish two shots back, with Houston Tour player Javier Quintero rounding out the top three.
Senior Snead Flight: Long Island, NY, native, Robert Vespa now living in Pasadena, TX, kept on his winning track. After his first victory on tour his last time out, Vespa overcame a three stroke deficit starting the day Sunday to finish with a one stroke advantage. First round leaders, Hal Wychopen of Magnolia, TX, and Lombard, IL, member, John Pacheco finished second and third respectively, punching their ticket to the Senior National Championships in September.
Hill Country Members are back to River Crossing Club on May 9th for the Spring Branch Classic.
RESULTS:
Upcoming Texas Events:
Hill Country Members are back to River Crossing Club on May 9th for the Spring Branch Classic.
Dallas Tour members get back into action at the Fort Worth Championship at Waterchase Golf Club, entry deadline is Friday, May 8th.
Houston Tour players tee it up for the special Player Championship @ The Woodlands on Tuesday, May 19th. Registration closes on Friday, May 8th. The event is sold out but waiting list spots are available.
For More Information:
Scott R Chilcutt
Director - Texas Tours
Dallas Tour - Hill Country Tour - Houston Tour
GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour
405.513.1467
www.gcamtour.com 
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