Highlands County Ryder Cup Tees Off

SEBRING - The 13th annual Highlands County Ryder Cup competition gets under way today at Highlands Ridge North golf course with the professionals determined to break the stranglehold the amateurs have had on the prestigious cup.

The amateurs, who won last year's competition by a single point, lead the overall series 9-2-1, but the professional squad boasts its deepest and most talented lineup in years.

"I think we have a solid team and we are determined to get off to a better start than last year," said Highlands Ridge professional Mike Lamere. "Everybody is looking forward to competing and it should be a fun weekend."

The Highlands County Ryder Cup competition, which pits the top amateurs in Highlands County against the area professionals, uses the same format as the professional Ryder Cup event, which pits European golfers against America's best.

The action gets under way today with six two-man, best-ball matches in the morning, followed by six, alternate-shot matches in the afternoon.

Play wraps up on Sunday with 16 singles matches and a total of 28 points up for grabs.

Members of the professional team include captain Sam Timms from Highlands Ridge North, John Vickers, Greg Hetcht, Pete DuPriest, Jason Beatty, Mike Lamere, Brian Bone, Andy Kesling, Jason Laman, Marty O'Hare, John Dean, Bill Newman, John Phillips, Paul Gargone, Dave Schumacher, Ron Wonderling and Val Patarini.

The amateurs, as defending champions, need only a tie to retain the cup, but captain Greg Knowles knows his squad has their hands full.

"The pro team is loaded, but we're going to do our best," Knowles said. "These matches are always close and whichever team makes the most putts will probably win."

Members of the amateur team include Rene Brown, Mike Browning, Keith Foster, Dana Harris, John Forst, Rick Haas, Scott Mauck, Scott Baker, Joe Reiley, Mike Cleghorn, Frank Guglielmi, Ken Maloney, Mark Pinson, Mike Wells and Gary Williams.

The Highlands Ridge course is in excellent shape and accuracy off the tee and into the greens is a must.

"The course is in great shape and the greens will be rolling 11 to 12 on the stint meter," Lamere said. "The rough has grown up and if you miss the fairway off the tee, you'll have problems getting the ball to stop on the greens."

Play gets under way today and Sunday at 8 a.m. and spectators are invited to come out and watch the action at no charge.