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Benford ends Rhoads' bid for yet another title

• Ben Benford upends two-time Albany Amateur City Championship seniors winner Dan Rhoads.

Tim Miller
Staff Correspondent

ALBANY — Ben Benford did not allow two-time defending senior men’s champion and tournament founder Dan Rhoads to get into his head as previously threatened. He led down the stretch to win his first major cup in the Albany Amateur City Championship. Rhoads finished third behind Tom Hall with a score of 234.

“There was nothing different this year from the past two years,” Benford said. “It was just a few strokes here and a few strokes there. (Rhoads) didn’t play as good (Sunday) as he usually does. I played as good as I could hit it.”

Benford missed some putts, but when he grabbed the lead, he kept it. He even stretched a one-shot lead to five.

“It feels good to knock him off,” Benford said. “You play runner-up two years in a row, it feels good. You keep trying.”

Rhoads was politely disappointed in his failure to win a third consecutive title.

“Ben got all the bounces (Sunday) and mine didn’t bounce quite like they’re supposed to,” Rhoads said. “I had a bunch of almosts, but that’s golf. That’s how it works. He played better than I did (Sunday) and he deserved to win.”

Other winners included Becky Yager, who won the ladies’ first flight division with a score of 275, two strokes better than second place Glanda Eubanks. Pam Pangle finished third.

Scott George won the men’s first flight division, one stroke better than Rusty Clenney who posted a 244.  Stan McMikle finished third in this division.

First-time tournament participant Jodie Knight finished first in the men’s third flight division with a score of 247 while his brother, Jamie Knight, 24, was third in the second flight division.  Jodie Knight said it was better to win even if you compete in a “lower” division.

“I had a good time,” Georgia Southern graduate Jamie Knight said. “I played to my handicap.”

Jamie Knight encouraged his brother to sign up.

“I’ve been playing seven or eight years,” Jodie Knight said. “I played in high school and then went off to college. I’ve played maybe once a month for the last couple of years. I’ll be back (next year).”

Both Knights were attracted to the tournament by the handicap divisions and the possibility that anyone can be a winner.

“You get to play courses like (Doublegate) and Stronbridge you don’t normally play, you get a free practice round at all of them, plus you get to take a day off work,” Jodie Knight said.

Willie Teemer won the men’s second flight division with a score of 241. Lester Tomlinson finished second while Brad Renshaw was second in the third flight division, followed byPaul Wells.

“A lot of people don’t understand,” Rhoads said. “We have flights for every score. Ten flights. Everybody can play in this tournament. I want as few flights as possible so most people can win something.”

Some flights competed with as few as four players. Over half of all entrants took home a prize, some certificates worth up to $100 at the local golf shops.

Jane Braun won the ladies’ second-flight division with a score of 289, Chris Glover won the senior men’s first flight, and Steve Tambroni was best with a 259 in the senior men’s second flight division.

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