Sports

Sylvester’s Skinner returning to Nationwide Tour play

• River Point Golf Club pro Sonny Skinner qualifies this past weekend for this weekend’s Nationwide Tour event in Athens.

Scott Chancey

ATHENS — Sylvester’s Sonny Skinner took a breather from a pro-am at this week’s Nationwide Tour event Monday to answer the phone.

Such is life for one of River Pointe Golf Club’s pros when he is on the links.

The former PGA Tour player and two-time winner on what now is known as the Nationwide Tour is competing in his first Nationwide event this year, the Athens Regional Foundation Classic at Jennings Mill Country Club, which will be held Thursday-Sunday. He qualified for the event during the past month, as well as the South Georgia Classic on May 1-4 at Valdosta’s Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. Skinner is the second Southwest Georgia native to play on the Nationwide Tour, joining Albany’s Josh Broadaway.

“I’ve been playing some decent golf,” said Skinner, who became the first Abraham Baldwin golfer to reach the PGA Tour. He first joined the Tour in 1990 and his best finish there was a tie for 13th in the 1997 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic. Coincidentally, former ABAC golfer Boo Weekley competed in last weekend’s Masters (T-20th).

“My thoughts are just playing consistent, shooting four rounds in the 60s, and I think it’s possible here.”

Skinner has won twice on the Nationwide Tour, placing first in Shreveport, La., in 1993 and the next year in Glen Allen, Va. While Skinner said he enjoys working at River Pointe, a possible goal for the 47-year-old is to make it on to the Champions Tour when he reaches the age of 50.

“I’ve got to stay competitive and keep my feet wet,” Skinner said of competing in Nationwide events. “It’s a good motivation and helps keep my game sharp.”

Back to today's Sports>>