13 June 2009 - Martinez, GA - Course owner and host PPA professional
Mark Ross graciously welcomed the Southern Putting Tour to the Blue Course at the beautiful Martinez, GA Putt-Putt Fun Center to contest the first of three weekend 54-hole tournaments. The baking sunshine of an oppressively hot and humid late spring day led to significant fluffing of the course's carpet fibers and a resulting wide variance in field scoring in the tricky conditions.
 Frank Warren
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Mired in a sixth-place logjam at 52 upon entering the final round of the event, 2007 PPA Senior National Champion and Martinez putting legend
Frank Warren staged an inspired clubhouse charge to soar to the top of the final leaderboard. Making timely use of his home course prowess, Warren posted a brilliant closing-round 22 for a 54-hole total of 74 and a one-stroke victory, his first of the 2009 PPA season. 2007 Elton Davis Memorial Champion
Tony Jackson carded solid and consistent rounds of 25, 25, and 25 to tie reigning Dogwood Open Champion
Dennis Biesma for runner-up honors at 75. Second-round leader
Andy Coradini, who recorded a tournament-low middle-round 21, shot a disappointing final-round 30 and settled for a fourth-place finish at 76. At 77, 1973 PPA National Champion
Daryl Freeman completed the event in fifth position. Another pair of past PPA National Champions,
Brad Lebo and
Robert Johnson, shared sixth place at 78. The final of the thirteen cash spots awarded in the tournament fell at a score of 81.
 Chris Alley
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In the amateur division, 2007 North Carolina APA State Champion
Chris Alley manufactured steady rounds of 25, 27, and 26 for a 54-hole total of 78 and a two-shot, wire-to-wire triumph, his first of the 2009 season. Completing the event in second position at 80, High Point, NC's
David Myers notched his best career amateur division finish. Martinez, GA local stalwart and first-round co-leader Art Koerber earned a third-place finish at 82. A fourth-place tie at 83 included reigning ProPutters.com Classic APA Champion
Larry Smith and 2006 PPA Women's National Champion
Vanette Block. Thirteen amateur division expense reimbursement spots were allocated in the event, the last of which came at a total of 91.
The Southern Putting Tour will return to action with another 54-hole event to be held on the Blue Course at the Martinez, GA Putt-Putt Fun Center beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2009.