Highlands County Ryder Cup Tees Off Today

With two of their top qualifiers not playing, the amateurs face an uphill task against the professionals in the annual Highlands County Ryder Cup competition.

The two-day event, which features the top amateurs in the area competing against the local professionals, tees off at 7:30 a.m. today with five best-ball matches on the Deer Run course.

After a break for lunch, five alternate-shot matches will be played on the Turtle Run course.

The competition concludes on Sunday with 12 singles matches on the Deer Run course.

The pros need 11 points to retain the Ryder Cup, while the amateurs need 11 1/2 to reclaim the coveted trophy.

The amateurs lead the overall series 9-3-1, but the professionals - who won in convincing fashion last year at Highlands Ridge North - are confident they can win again this year.

"We've got a real strong group of players on our team and we're looking forward to beating up on the amateurs," said professional captain Andy Kesling. "They're missing two of their best players and we're going to take advantage of that.

"We want the amateurs to have a strong team and maybe another beating will make the best amateurs try and qualify for next year's competition."

Greg Knowles, who was medalist in the amateur qualifying with a 72 and Ryan Magnuson, who carded a 76, will not be able to play.

Mike Browning is the amateur captain, while Frank Guglielmi, Dick Butler, Mike Wells, Mike Moore, Gary Williams, Mike Shawver, Dana Harris, Jim Casey, Jeff Gaddy, Randy Proctor and Dan Eslinger round out the squad.

"It hurts not to have Greg and Ryan, but we have a lot of strong players and we're going to be fine," Browning said. "We want to be competitive, but the whole idea of the Ryder Cup is to get together for some golf and the camaraderie with the pros.

"We had a good practice round on Thursday and we're going to do the best we can and let the chips fall where they may."

The pro team has Kesling, John Phillips, Mike Lamere, Sam Timms, Dave Schumaker, Marty O'Hora, Shane Ward, Val Patarini, Bill Newman, Jason Laman, Jason Beatty, John Dean, Kim Darrow and Nell Hays.

Spectators are encouraged to come out and watch the action.